U.S., Indian air forces partner on air-launched UAV development

The U.S. and Indian air forces have agreed to work together to develop air-launched unmanned aerial vehicles, a move that officials say represents the first co-development project between the two countries under their bilateral defense cooperation framework.

Announced by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center today, the more-than-$22-million project represents the biggest collaboration on defense research, development, test and evaluation between the two countries, according to the press release, which noted that costs will be "shared equally" between the U.S. and India.

Launched under the U.S.-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative, the effort seeks to design, develop, demonstrate, test and evaluate technologies ranging from small UAVs to launch systems, avionics and more, per the release.

The effort will be carried out by the Air Force Research Laboratory and India's Defense Research and Development Organization.

The announcement doesn't share details on the timeline for developing the UAVs, nor does it note when the agreement was officially signed. Brig. Gen. Brian Bruckbauer, chief of the Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate, noted the project agreement came "after many months" of investment from U.S. and Indian officials.