Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Defence is part of Defence Technology. Below are notes on 13 sub-topics, followed by practice MCQs from State PSC and UPSC papers.
AI in Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I)
- Peoples Liberation Army of China: Recognized as the largest army globally.
- Gen. Manoj Pandey: Appointed Chief of the Army Staff in India in May 2022.
- Defence Service Staff College: Located at Wellington.
AI-driven Training, Simulation, and Decision Support Systems
- Suitable sniffer dog breeds for aviation security include German Shepherd, Labrador, Beagle, and Cocker Spaniel.
- Pomeranians are generally not suitable as sniffer dogs due to their small size, lack of stamina, and working characteristics.
- Often utilizes high-frequency sonars (e.g., Side-Scan Sonar) for high-resolution imaging of the seafloor.
Ethical, Legal, and Societal Implications (ELSI) of AI in Defence
- REAIM 2023 (Responsible AI in the Military) Summit: World's first international summit on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in the military. Held in The Hague, Netherlands.
Daksh
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) developed by DRDO.
Purpose
Primarily for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) – locates, handles, and destroys hazardous objects/explosives.
Key Application
Countering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and related CBRN defence scenarios.
Capabilities
Can climb stairs, operate on slopes, negotiate obstacles.
Tools
Equipped with a mounted shotgun for breaching locked doors.
Operational Range
Up to 500 meters line-of-sight; 50 meters inside buildings.
Variants
Daksh Mini and Daksh Scout are advanced versions.
Robotics for Logistics, Support, and Humanitarian Operations
- DRDO developed 'Rakshita', a bike-based casualty transport emergency vehicle.
- 'Rakshita' was handed over to CRPF to assist in immediate casualty evacuation in remote and Naxal-affected areas.
8. Hypersonic Technology and Advanced Aeronautics
Unmanned Aerial, Ground, and Maritime Systems (UAS, UGS, UMS) Applications
- A drone is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that can navigate autonomously.
- Rustom-2 is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), specifically an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), designed and developed by DRDO.
- Nishant is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed by DRDO.
- Indian Navy leased MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones from the USA.
- Lockheed Martin designed the world's first 30-KW class ATHENA drone destroying laser.
- Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) experiments are associated with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
- FWD 200B is India's first indigenous bomber UAV with a payload capacity of 100 kgs.
- Cheetah and Chetak are names of helicopters.
- The AH-64E (I) – Apache Guardian helicopter acquired by the Indian Air Force is made in the USA.
- Predator Drones are manufactured by General Atomics.
- The 'Nano Hummingbird' is a pocket-sized unmanned spy plane developed in the USA.
- Drishti-10 Starliner is an indigenously manufactured Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed by Adani Defence and Aerospace for the Indian Air Force and Navy, symbolizing the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' vision.
- The F-18 Super Hornet is a fighter plane manufactured by a U.S. Aerospace Company (e.g., Boeing).
- The F-18 Super Hornet can be used both day and night.
- HAL is not manufacturing the F-18 Super Hornet with the assistance of Boeing Company.
- The "black box" (flight recorder) in an aircraft is orange.
Practice MCQs: Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Defence
AI in Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I)
Which one of the following armies is the largest in the world ?
Asked in: Assistant Accountant 2012
- United States Armed Force
- The Russian Army
- The Indian Army
- Peoples Liberation Army of China
Show answer
Answer: D. Peoples Liberation Army of China
The People's Liberation Army of China has the largest number of active personnel among the world's armies.
Who among the following has been appointed as Chief of the Army staff in India in May 2022?
Asked in: UPPSC Upper Mains 2009 · (PRELIM.) EXAM. 2022
- Gen. Vivek Ram Choudhary
- Gen. Manoj Pandey B. It is a device which allows army to undertake right reconnaissance.
- It is an unmanned aerial vehicle which can travel upto 300 metres high.
- None of the above
Show answer
Answer: C. It is an unmanned aerial vehicle which can travel upto 300 metres high.
- NETRA is a lightweight, autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed in India by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and IdeaForge. - It is designed for surveillance and reconnaissance operations, particularly in counter-insurgency, anti-terror operations, and disaster management. - NETRA typically operates at relatively low altitudes, often within a range of a few hundred meters (like up to 300 meters or more) for tactical surveillance. C. Gen. Manoj Narwane D. None of the above Ans: B ASSISTANT PROSECUTION OFFICER This question tests awareness of recent appointments to high-ranking positions in India's defense forces.
Defence service staff college is located at-
Asked in: ASCO 2014
- Dehradun
- Pune
- Wellington
- Khadakvasla
Show answer
Answer: C. Wellington
The Defence Services Staff College is located in Wellington.
AI-driven Training, Simulation, and Decision Support Systems
Which one of the following breeds of dogs is not suitable as sniffer dogs in aviation security ?
Asked in: UPSC CISF AC EXE 2022
- German Shepherd
- Cocker Spaniel
- Labrador
- Pomeranian
Show answer
Answer: D. Pomeranian
- Suitable sniffer dogs for security work, including aviation security, are chosen based on their strong sense of smell, trainability, temperament (calm, focused, non-aggressive), endurance, and drive to work. - Breeds like German Shepherds, Labradors, Beagles, and Springer Spaniels (similar to Cocker Spaniels) are commonly used as detection dogs for explosives, narcotics, and other contraband due to these characteristics.
Random frisking means frisking of :
Asked in: UPSC CISF AC EXE 2022
- persons who are well-built.
- persons who are drunk.
- at least every fifth person.
- few male persons only.
Show answer
Answer: C. at least every fifth person.
- Random frisking in security is a technique used for deterrence and detection. It involves selecting individuals from a flow of people for searching based on a method that is unpredictable to the individual being frisked. - This unpredictability can be achieved through various means, including truly random selection mechanisms or systematic sampling like checking every Nth person, provided the pattern isn't easily predictable or is varied. - The key is that the selection is not based on subjective criteria like appearance, behaviour (unless specific alert criteria are met, which would then fall under targeted search), or any form of discrimination.
Ethical, Legal, and Societal Implications (ELSI) of AI in Defence
World’s first international summit ‘REAIM 2023’ on responsible use of artificial intelligence in the military was held in :
Asked in: Lab Assistant Higher Education (Group C) Exam 2023
- Paris (France)
- Seoul (South Korea)
- Hague (Netherlands)
- Vienna (Austria)
Show answer
Answer: C. Hague (Netherlands)
The summit brought together global leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in military applications.
Robotics for Hazardous Environments, CBRN Defence, and EOD
Name of the robotic equipment developed by DRDO to identify explosives is
Asked in: DSP (Radio) Examination 2021
- Rustom
- Netra
- Nishant
- Daksh
Show answer
Answer: D. Daksh
DRDO develops various advanced technologies for defense and security purposes. Daksh is designed to assist in bomb disposal operations, thereby enhancing the safety of personnel.
Robotics for Logistics, Support, and Humanitarian Operations
Recently DRDO developed and handed over a bike-based casualty transport emergency vehicle to CRPF. What is the name of the vehicle?
Asked in: UPSC Geoscientist 2021
- Pratiksha
- Rakshita
- Nirbhaya
- Devdut
Show answer
Answer: B. Rakshita
- 'Rakshita' is a specially designed motorcycle ambulance. - It was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)'s Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS). - The vehicle is intended for use in narrow roads and remote locations where traditional ambulances cannot reach easily, particularly useful for paramilitary forces like CRPF operating in challenging terrains.
Unmanned Aerial, Ground, and Maritime Systems (UAS, UGS, UMS) Applications
Rustom-2, which crashed in Karnataka recently, was a/an
Asked in: UPSC CDS 1 2020
- fighter aircraft
- helicopter
- transport aircraft
- unmanned aerial vehicle
Show answer
Answer: D. unmanned aerial vehicle
Rustom-2, also known as TAPAS BH-201, is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India.
Nishant is the name given to which type of aircraft developed by DRDO ?
Asked in: GPSC Prelims CSP 2 2017
- Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
- Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)
- Surface to Air Missile (SAM)
Show answer
Answer: B. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
Nishant is an intelligence gathering system primarily used for reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and training.
Indian Navy inducted MQ-9B Sea Guardian equipment on lease from _______ country, these are _______ .
Asked in: GPSC Prelims CSP 2 2021
- UK, Rocket Launching systems
- USA, Drones
- France, Radar Systems
- Israel, Frigates
Show answer
Answer: B. USA, Drones
The MQ-9B Sea Guardian is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or drone developed by General Atomics in the USA. India leased two of these maritime surveillance drones for a period from the US.
Which of the following designed the world's first 30-KW class ATHENA drone destroying laser ?
Asked in: HAS Prelims 2019
- Boeing
- Thales
- Lockheed Martin
- Raytheon
Show answer
Answer: C. Lockheed Martin
In 2014, Lockheed Martin announced that its 30- kilowatt fiber laser, called ATHENA (Advanced Test High Energy Asset), successfully disabled a truck from a mile away. This was a significant step towards developing laser weapon systems capable of destroying targets like drones.
Beyond Visual Line of Sight is an experiment, associated with which of the following device ?
Asked in: OPSC CS Prelims 2021
- Naval Ships
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
- Submarines
- Anti-tank Missile
Show answer
Answer: B. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) is a term predominantly used in the context of operating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones. - Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) means the remote pilot or operator can see the aircraft with unaided vision, sufficient to control it, know its location, and scan the airspace for other aircraft or hazards. - BVLOS operations occur when the UAV is flown at distances or altitudes where the pilot cannot maintain direct visual contact, often requiring the use of instruments, sensors, or remote observers. - Regulatory bodies worldwide are developing frameworks to permit safe BVLOS operations, which are crucial for many commercial applications like long-distance deliveries, infrastructure inspection, and surveillance over large areas.
Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle, RUS‐ TOM - II was designed and developed by
Asked in: TNPSC CS Prelims 2017
- DRDO
- ISRO
- MIG
- HAL
Show answer
Answer: A. DRDO
It was designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in India.
With reference to “FWD 200B”, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. This is India's first indigenous bomber "UAV" aircraft. 2. Its payload capacity is 100 kgs. Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Asked in: UPPCS Prelims 2024
- Only 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
- Only 1
- Both 1 and 2
Show answer
Answer: D. Both 1 and 2
FWD-200B is an indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed by Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace in India. Statement 1: This is India's first indigenous bomber "UAV" aircraft. While it's described as capable of carrying payloads including potential weapons, making it suitable for attack/bomber roles, and is highlighted as India's first indigenous UAV in this category, classifying it strictly as a "bomber UAV" might be subject to specific definitions. However, news reports refer to it as capable of carrying weapons and being India's first indigenous attack drone, aligning with the spirit of the statement. Statement 2: Its payload capacity is 100 kgs. Multiple sources and company specifications for the FWD-200B state its payload capacity is 100 kg. This statement is correct. Given the information available, both statements appear to be correct descriptions of the FWD-200B.
'Cheetah' and 'Chetak' are the names of :
Asked in: UPSC CAPF 2015
- Fighter aircrafts
- Helicopters
- Armoured vehicles
- Infantry regiments
Show answer
Answer: B. Helicopters
The Cheetah and Chetak are utility helicopters manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), based on French designs (Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama and Aérospatiale SA 316B Alouette III, respectively). They have been widely used for various roles including transport, reconnaissance, rescue, and training by the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy.
The Indian Air Force has recently acquired the AH-64E (I) – Apache Guardian helicopter. The helicopter is made in
Asked in: UPSC CAPF 2019
- India
- Russia
- France
- USA
Show answer
Answer: D. USA
The AH-64 Apache is a twin-turboshaft attack helicopter with a tandem cockpit for a two-man crew. It is manufactured by Boeing Defense, Space & Security. Boeing is an American multinational corporation.
What is a Drone ?
Asked in: UPSC CISF AC EXE 2017
- It is a type of missile launcher.
- It is a computer virus.
- It is an unmanned aerial vehicle that can navigate autonomously.
- It is a type of inflated boat to rescue marooned people.
Show answer
Answer: C. It is an unmanned aerial vehicle that can navigate autonomously.
A drone, in its most common modern usage, refers to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). These aircraft can be controlled remotely by a human operator or can fly autonomously using pre-programmed flight plans or more complex dynamic automation systems.
‘Predator Drones’ are manufactured by :
Asked in: UPSC CISF AC EXE 2023
- General Atomics
- The Boeing Company
- Lockheed Martin Corporation
- PrecisionHawk
Show answer
Answer: A. General Atomics
General Atomics is a major American energy and defense corporation known for its contributions to nuclear physics, drone technology, and other advanced systems.
The 'Nano humming bird' is
Asked in: UPPSC Upper Mains 2010
- A new species of hitherto undiscovered humming bird. 8. Hypersonic Technology and Advanced Aeronautics
- An extremely small electric car that can take 360° turn.
- A pocket sized unmanned spy plane developed in the U.S.A.
- A new variety of honey bee.
Show answer
Answer: C. A pocket sized unmanned spy plane developed in the U.S.A.
Developed by AeroVironment for DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), this micro aerial vehicle (MAV) was designed to mimic the appearance and flight characteristics of a hummingbird for surveillance purposes in challenging environments. It was first publicly demonstrated in 2011.
In regard to the Drishti-10 Starliner, consider the following statements: I. It symbolizes the Indian Air Force's vision to be an 'Atmanirbhar' force. II. It is the first indigenously manufactured Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). III. It is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). How many statement/statements given above is/are true?
Asked in: GS MVI 08 2024 2108 2024
- Only I
- Only II
- Only III
- All of the above
Show answer
Answer: A. Only I
The Drishti-10 Starliner is an important indigenous UAV, symbolizing the Indian Air Force's drive for self-reliance ('Atmanirbhar Bharat'). However, it is not the first indigenously manufactured UAV, nor is it developed by DRDO; it is a product of the private sector in collaboration with a foreign partner.