TAAI – Trust for Advancement of Aerodynamics in India

Bringing together the minds transforming emerging aerospace technologies into operational reality

Featured Talks

1. The Stratospheric Challenges for a High-Altitude Platform

Dr. L Venkatrakrishnan, Chief Scientist and Program Director – HAP

High Altitude Platforms (HAP) or High Altitude Pseudo Satellites which are unmanned aerial vehicles in the stratosphere are the next big challenge with applications including disaster monitoring, telecommunication, and military reconnaissance. The requirement for persistence demands endurance far beyond conventional aircraft leading to extremely high aspect ratios and low wing loading resulting in lightweight structures. The result is a flexible wing structure with wingtip deflection to semi-span ratio likely to exceed 10% during flight thereby impacting flight dynamics of the aircraft. Additionally the low Reynolds number regime poses significant aerodynamic challenges for both wing as well as propeller design. The talk will visit recent efforts presently underway at CSIR-NAL to address the challenges in the design and development of a HAP.

2. Next-Generation UCAVs and Loitering Munitions: Enabling Technologies, Indigenous Development, and Operational Integration Pathways

Dr. Shanmugadas K.P., Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engg, IIT Jammu

This talk presents a comprehensive overview of emerging technological trends shaping next-generation UCAVs and loitering munition systems, with particular emphasis on indigenous development pathways aligned with Indian operational requirements. The discussion will cover system-level design considerations including propulsion selection, aerodynamic configurations, endurance–range trade-offs, and mission optimization for contested environments.

A key focus of the presentation will be on technology development initiatives being pursued through academia–startup–user collaboration frameworks, highlighting ongoing research and prototyping efforts conducted in close interaction with the Indian Army and associated defence stakeholders.

3. New Generation Aircraft Technologies for the Fourth Revolution in Aerospace

Dr. Rakshith Raghavan Belur, Head of Flight Physics, Airbus

The aerospace industry is entering its fourth major revolution – sustainability. Following the breakthroughs of enabling human flight, ensuring safety, and driving affordability, the focus has now shifted to fundamentally reimagining aviation for a sustainable future. Airbus is at the forefront of this transformation, pioneering new technologies, aircraft configurations, and design paradigms to meet ambitious environmental goals while sustaining operational excellence.

This talk will provide a glimpse into some of the critical technologies and innovations being developed at Airbus, and how they are shaping the next era of aviation.

You need to register for the event at https://www.taai.org.in/ and registration is free.

For More Details Visit: www.taai.org.in