Bangladesh News Primary Trainer | UAV | Other Projects

[Michael Corleone]

Hopefully it’s not just a TOT basic trainer. I don’t care if major components are imported though.

 

[Isa Khan]

Except the Octocopter and 150km range UAV, The rest are totally new and not related to what we discussed here before.

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It gives us immense pleasure to mention that our first drone project (Octocopter) has already been in place in phase one at BSMRAAU. We’re now aiming at exploring more to advance our existing UAVs or Drone Project to another level to find numerous applied applications like surveillance and reconnaissance for various state departments, namely, the forestry, the agriculture, the road and transport department, and even to study our river banks, beaches and harbour areas and ocean dynamics. They do have other applications such as, rescue and recuperation, disaster management or even as enforcement tools against Illeg Infiltration/terrorism/smuggling etc.

In phase two, we’re in the process of starting to work on our target to build an advanced long-distance unmanned drone craft that can fly high with a range of at least 150kms and which can stay aloft with a reasonably acceptable endurance limit and ceiling height.

For our proposed phase three, we are being more ambitious to dream big for a more advanced technical project, we may call it ‘Unmanned Aerial Transport Vehicle (UATV)’ which is going to be a real-life aerial vehicle or product vehicle based on the similar technology transfer like artificial intelligence, line of sight communications, command control communications etc., with our on-going all-out technological efforts and endeavours through utilisation of our own UAS/UAV facilities, equipment, infrastructures and expertise that are being grown, developed, built and resourced brick by brick from our phase 1 journey.

As our Prime Minister dreams about taking our country to the future of aviation and aerospace science and technology ventures, and she has already given us an approval in principle (AIP) to go ahead so that one day we will be able to produce our own branded aircraft, helicopters, other aerial vehicles both manned and unmanned. This proposed project of ours is nothing but within BSMRAAU’s integrated action initiative programme that we are destined to carry out in an attempt to fulfil our dreams.

We, at the moment are also in the process of making an agreement with our Spanish counterpart to undergo an intensive training program initially under their expert guidance and supervision on different aspects of a two-seater aircraft manufacture as an experimental prototype. Once we succeed in that project and with its operation, we can go further for serial production for the crafts to be used in our own aerospace, marine, military, weaponry, automotive, sports, agriculture and recreational sectors. Our subsequent plan is to go for commercially viable 6-seater or 8-seater aircraft.

For the proposed ‘Unmanned Aerial Transport Vehicle (UATV)’ project, we are preparing ourselves to start off with our existing expertise, resources and equipment etc., and we can dive into our most ambitious goal of producing our own branded commercial aircraft one day, not too far away, in the near future.

Being a specialised university, we, at BSMRAAU, have introduced a couple of Space Science and Technology related new courses. We have already started master’s programmes in Space System Design and Satellite Communication Engineering in collaboration with the University of Surrey and Cranfield. We also have another master’s programmes to be launched in Autonomous System Engineering in direct coordination and collaboration with China’s Shenyang University, a Turkish Drone Company called Maxwell and the Swiss Drone. Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) are all being done, and BSMRAAU hopes to get involved with the collaborative UAV research projects with them from next year.

We hope to build our own multifaceted Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for multiple uses, that will be 100% made in Bangladesh through advanced technology transfer from the Turkish Maxwell and the Swiss Drone who are the world’s leading drone manufacturers.

We can easily correlate our drone venture with our Turkish counterpart to our proposed UATV project as far as the knowledge-base, the technological know-how, experience and expertise, light-weight construction materials, command and navigation systems, other digital database and systems, avionics and equipment etc. are concerned. We will have our own mutually supportive close-knit laboratory infrastructures and facilities that will become BSMRAAU’s common asset to work on various other projects and activities in line with our common goals, outcomes and objectives.

Dr Khondker Omar Anwar
Distinguished Professor of Aerospace Engineering
Head, Autonomous Systems Engineering, BSMRAAU

 

[Afif]

I bet they got their basic conceptual know-how from BAF's drone program.

Edit- Or not, because it is a Octocopter.

 

[Isa Khan]

Pico Satellite for Bangladesh is a joint research initiative of BSMRAAU and Pico Satellite Company of Bangladesh. The main idea is to develop a series of pico satellites or cube satellites locally that are low in cost but high in return. A dedicated Lab has been set up in the Lalmonirhat Campus as well as in the Dhaka Campus of BSMRAAU, where a significant number of students and faculty members are working under the supervision of Professor Dr. Nazmul Ula, Founder of Pico Satellite Company.

The current objective of this project is to build a flight-ready 1U CubeSat by December 2023. Along the way it is expected that the required expertise will be developed among the students and faculty members to build many more pico or cube satellites in the future.

This may pave the way for a full-fledged space program here in BSMRAAU within the next 10 years. The global CubeSat market is projected to be valued at 491.3 million US dollars by 2027. BSMRAAAU wants to help Bangladesh to be a part of that economy. In this regard, expertise, facilities, and opportunities are being gathered here in BSMRAAU to facilitate small-scale space entrepreneurship in the near future in Bangladesh.

Objectives:

⦁ International collaboration on research in the field of design, development and launching of CubeSats.
⦁ International collaboration and cooperation with Pico Satellite Company.
⦁ Expansion of joint research initiative with NRB Scholar Dr. Nazmul Ula, Associate Dean and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Loyola Marymount University, USA.
⦁ Infuse education on design, development and launching of CubeSats into the undergraduate students of BSMRRAAU.
⦁ Develop a collaborative research ecosystem amongst the students and faculties of BSMRAAU.
⦁ Create a pathway for Bangladesh to achieve its own Space Economy.

Bangladesh's first assembled Pico Satellite.

 

[Afif]

Bangladesh Air Force's first indigenous basic trainer BBT-1 successfully made its maiden flight.


BBT-1 (Bangadandhu Basic Trainer-1) is indigenously designed developed and manufactured by Bangladesh Biman Bahini (Bangladesh Air Force)

While obviously in its physical form this is not something super-duper, in fact as the name implies, this is a very basic trainer, however, I like to emphasise on its symbolic significance for BD's aerospace journey.

Hopefully, God willing, this small step today will take us beyond the limits of 'conventional wisdom' tomorrow.



Note- I apologise for the image quality, but unfortunately this is the best I can get. We have to wait until the official photos and video comes out.

@Isa Khan @F-6 enthusiast @yf120 @Micheal Corleone @PutinBro @TR_123456 @what @Test7 @Yasar @Mis_TR_Like @Cabatli_TR @Gary @Kartal1 @Combat-Master @Knowledgeseeker @Philip the Arab @Agha Sher @Sanchez @Merzifonlu @dBSPL @Bürküt @Bogeyman @Zafer @Ryder @Nilgiri @Anmdt et al.

 

[Kartal1]

Bangladesh Air Force's first indigenous basic trainer BBT-1 successfully made its maiden flight.


BBT-1 (Bangadandhu Basic Trainer-1) is indigenously designed developed and manufactured by Bangladesh Biman Bahini (Bangladesh Air Force)



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While obviously in its physical form this is not something super-duper, in fact as the name implies, this is a very basic trainer, however, I like to emphasise on its symbolic significance for BD's aerospace journey.

Hopefully, God willing, this small step today will take us beyond the limits of 'conventional wisdom' tomorrow.



Note- I apologise for the image quality, but unfortunately this is the best I can get. We have to wait until the official photos and video comes out.

@Isa Khan @F-6 enthusiast @yf120 @Micheal Corleone @PutinBro @TR_123456 @what @Test7 @Yasar @Mis_TR_Like @Cabatli_TR @Gary @Kartal1 @Combat-Master @Knowledgeseeker @Philip the Arab @Sanchez @Merzifonlu @dBSPL @Bürküt @Bogeyman @Zafer @Ryder @Nilgiri et al.

Congratulations! Honestly I didn't know Bangladesh had aerospace industry capable of manufacturing such aircraft. Very good development. I wish we see the continuation of the projects.

 

[Knowledgeseeker]

Congratulations! Everything starts with a dream! The most important is that Bangladesh keeps investing in its human capital, alongside the necessary funding for such projects.

 

[TR_123456]

Bangladesh Air Force's first indigenous basic trainer BBT-1 successfully made its maiden flight.


BBT-1 (Bangadandhu Basic Trainer-1) is indigenously designed developed and manufactured by Bangladesh Biman Bahini (Bangladesh Air Force)



View attachment 62073
View attachment 62075
View attachment 62076
View attachment 62077
View attachment 62078


While obviously in its physical form this is not something super-duper, in fact as the name implies, this is a very basic trainer, however, I like to emphasise on its symbolic significance for BD's aerospace journey.

Hopefully, God willing, this small step today will take us beyond the limits of 'conventional wisdom' tomorrow.



Note- I apologise for the image quality, but unfortunately this is the best I can get. We have to wait until the official photos and video comes out.

@Isa Khan @F-6 enthusiast @yf120 @Micheal Corleone @PutinBro @TR_123456 @what @Test7 @Yasar @Mis_TR_Like @Cabatli_TR @Gary @Kartal1 @Combat-Master @Knowledgeseeker @Philip the Arab @Agha Sher @Sanchez @Merzifonlu @dBSPL @Bürküt @Bogeyman @Zafer @Ryder @Nilgiri et al.

Congratulations brother,a good start.

 

[Yasar_TR]

Wow!
This is new and refreshing. Any info of engine, and company that produced it?
Congratulations bro!

 

[Nilgiri]

Congratulations! Everything starts with a dream! The most important is that Bangladesh keeps investing in its human capital, alongside the necessary funding for such projects.

Yes this is the key thing. The follow up and growing things into larger things.

 

[Afif]

Wow!
This is new and refreshing. Any info of engine,

Nothing yet. Obviously it is sourced from aboard.

and company that produced it?

This is BAF's own project. They had a dream of indigenous basic trainer from early 2000s. But due to lack of funding and other hurdles, the project officially kickstarted only in 2021 if I am not mistaken.
I believe with BSMRAAU (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University) and BAC's (Bangabandhu Aeronautical Centre) participation, they accumulate all the expertise they can get. Also, they had some foreign assistance, but thankfully, it didn’t turn out to be a licensed copy.

BBT-1 is manufactured and assembled in BAF's own facility (likely in BAC)

 

[Afif]

Some more photos.

 

[Zafer]

Bangladesh Air Force's first indigenous basic trainer BBT-1 successfully made its maiden flight.


BBT-1 (Bangadandhu Basic Trainer-1) is indigenously designed developed and manufactured by Bangladesh Biman Bahini (Bangladesh Air Force)



View attachment 62073
View attachment 62075
View attachment 62076
View attachment 62077
View attachment 62078


While obviously in its physical form this is not something super-duper, in fact as the name implies, this is a very basic trainer, however, I like to emphasise on its symbolic significance for BD's aerospace journey.

Hopefully, God willing, this small step today will take us beyond the limits of 'conventional wisdom' tomorrow.



Note- I apologise for the image quality, but unfortunately this is the best I can get. We have to wait until the official photos and video comes out.

@Isa Khan @F-6 enthusiast @yf120 @Micheal Corleone @PutinBro @TR_123456 @what @Test7 @Yasar @Mis_TR_Like @Cabatli_TR @Gary @Kartal1 @Combat-Master @Knowledgeseeker @Philip the Arab @Agha Sher @Sanchez @Merzifonlu @dBSPL @Bürküt @Bogeyman @Zafer @Ryder @Nilgiri @Anmdt et al.

Good start. In hindsight, it's only been a decade or so for the Turkish aviation industry having started making anything on its own resources and looking at where we are now, one can see how things can evolve rapidly from here. Once you make one, you keep making. Congratulations.

 

[Merzifonlu]

Congrats. A good start.

 

[Sanchez]

That’s a very nice tail dragger. Though don’t know how great it would be as a primary trainer. I can see it used and loved as a bush plane tho.

 

[Bürküt]

Bangladesh Air Force's first indigenous basic trainer BBT-1 successfully made its maiden flight.


BBT-1 (Bangadandhu Basic Trainer-1) is indigenously designed developed and manufactured by Bangladesh Biman Bahini (Bangladesh Air Force)



View attachment 62073
View attachment 62075
View attachment 62076
View attachment 62077
View attachment 62078


While obviously in its physical form this is not something super-duper, in fact as the name implies, this is a very basic trainer, however, I like to emphasise on its symbolic significance for BD's aerospace journey.

Hopefully, God willing, this small step today will take us beyond the limits of 'conventional wisdom' tomorrow.



Note- I apologise for the image quality, but unfortunately this is the best I can get. We have to wait until the official photos and video comes out.

@Isa Khan @F-6 enthusiast @yf120 @Micheal Corleone @PutinBro @TR_123456 @what @Test7 @Yasar @Mis_TR_Like @Cabatli_TR @Gary @Kartal1 @Combat-Master @Knowledgeseeker @Philip the Arab @Agha Sher @Sanchez @Merzifonlu @dBSPL @Bürküt @Bogeyman @Zafer @Ryder @Nilgiri @Anmdt et al.

A new rival has emerged for Uçaksan you are saying . Congratulations to you and your country .There is no doubt these are small but important steps.

 

[Gary]

@Afif
Congratulations !!!!!!

Is there any information regarding the engines they use ? flight controls etc ?

 

[Afif]

@Afif
Congratulations !!!!!!

Is there any information regarding the engines they use ? flight controls etc ?

I think in time we will get to know these. Official statement didn't come out yet. Somebody took a video at a likely air force event, that how we get to know this.

 

[Afif]

That’s a very nice tail dragger. Though don’t know how great it would be as a primary trainer. I can see it used and loved as a bush plane tho.

Well, I think this is more like a technology demonstrator. BAF bought 24x Grob G 120TP in 2021 as primary trainers.

 

[Afif]

@Isa Khan why are you on such significant development?

You were excited when news first came out.