Santosh pathak at 15:51, 8 January 2026

2026-01-08T15:51:24Z

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{{Short description|Indian defence research organisation}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox Laboratory
|name = Centre for Airborne Systems
|motto = Meet the technological challenges of Airborne Surveillance Systems
|logo =
|image =
|established = 1 February 1991
|city = [[Bengaluru]]
|research_field = Airborne electronic systems
|type =
|director = Shri Sandhya
|staff =
|budget =
|operating_agency = [[DRDO]]
|affiliations =
|address =

|campus =
|website =
|footnotes =
}}
The '''Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS)''' is a laboratory of the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO) of [[India]]. Located in [[Bengaluru]], its primary function is development and evaluation of airborne electronic systems for military applications.

== History ==
{{main|Airborne Surveillance Platform}}
CABS was set up in 1991 to lead the Airborne Surveillance Platform (Airawat) project. Its task was to develop airborne electronic systems on a flying platform for early warning, command and control functions.<ref>{{cite web|author=John Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/asp.htm |title=Airborne Surveillance Platform |publisher=Globalsecurity.org |date=1999-01-12 |accessdate=2012-01-28}}</ref> The programme was carried on until 1999 when the flying platform HS 748 crashed in Tamil Nadu killing all the eight people on board [4 from IAF and 4 from DRDO out of which two were from CABS (Mr P Elango and Mr Shaju)].

==EMB 145 AEW&C project==
[[Embraer]] and the [[Government of India|Indian Government]] have signed a deal for three [[Embraer ERJ 145|Embraer 145]] AEW&C ([[Airborne early warning and control|Airborne Early Warning & Control]]) jets. The contract includes a comprehensive logistics package comprising training, technical support, spare parts, and ground support equipment.

The ERJ 145 platform, currently being used on [[Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance|Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance]] (ISR) missions in Brazil, Mexico and Greece, will join the [[DRDO AEW&CS|AEW&C programme]] under the responsibility of India's Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).<ref name=acig>{{cite web|url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_533.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060111124408/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_533.shtml |url-status=usurped |archive-date=11 January 2006 |title=India's flying Testbeds |publisher=Acig.org |date= |accessdate=2012-01-28}}</ref>

On 17 August 2012, India received the first Embraer 145 Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft, built with Indian technology. It is claimed as a major breakthrough in mounting an electronic eye in the sky for India.<ref name="then">{{cite web |title=India gets first Embraer jet with Indian airborne radar tech |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3785186.ece |accessdate= 18 August 2012}}</ref><ref name="ie">{{cite web |title=India gets first Embraer jet with Indian airborne radar tech |date=17 August 2012 |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/india-gets-first-embraer-jet-with-indian-airborne-radar-tech/989584/0 |accessdate= 18 August 2012}}</ref><ref name="bus">{{cite web |title=DRDO takes delivery of aircraft designed for AEW&C |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/drdo-takes-delivery-of-aircraft-designed-for-aew-c-112081700550_1.html|date=25 January 2013|newspaper=Business Standard|accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref>

The aircraft is fitted with Indian airborne [[Active Electronically Scanned Array]] (AESA) radar, giving it the capability to detect missiles and hostile fighters at all angles. Programme Director, Christopher was quoted by the media as saying, "The new EMB 145 would have airborne Active Electronic Scanned Array (AESA) radar designed by DRDO’s Bengaluru-based Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS). DRDO will integrate other mission systems in India and deliver the aircraft to the [[Indian Air Force]]".<ref name="then" />

Dr Elangovan, Chief Controller Research & Development of DRDO, said the aircraft was upgraded to have major capabilities such as "in-fight refuelling system, significant increase in electric and cooling capacity and a comprehensive set of structural changes to allow installation of advanced mission systems."<ref name="then" />

== External links ==
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071210070622/http://www.drdo.org/labs/aero/index.shtml DIRECTORATE OF AERONAUTICS]}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120708234218/http://drdo.gov.in/drdo/labs/CABS/English/index.jsp?pg=homebody.jsp Centre for Air Borne Systems(CABS)]
*[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/media/AeroIndia2007/Brochures/Centre+for+Airborne+Systems+-+High+Tech+Avionics+Flight+Test+Bed.jpg.html Centre for Airborne Systems - High Tech Avionics Flight Test Bed]
* [https://www.intelligenceonline.com/international-dealmaking/2024/03/21/l3harris-and-thales-in-contention-to-equip-new-indian-spy-plane,110194292-gra L3Harris and Thales in contention to equip new Indian spy plane], [[Intelligence Online]], March 21, 2024 (requires free registration)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{DRDO Laboratories}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord missing|Karnataka}}

[[Category:Defence Research and Development Organisation laboratories]]
[[Category:Research institutes in Bengaluru]]
[[Category:Research institutes established in 1991]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in Karnataka]]

Centre for Airborne Systems - Revision history

Santosh pathak at 15:51, 8 January 2026