October 28, 2013: The Defence Ministry's Snow & Avalance Studies Establishment (SASE) has floated a tender for a specialised aircraft to undertake survey missions and data gathering. Structured under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Chandigarh-based laboratory has expressed a requirement for one custom-fitted platform capable of undertaking and supporting ongoing and future research central to avalanche and snow studies.

The tender requires interested contractors to identify a certified aircraft platform and deliver it fully fitted with specified equipment or capabilities under a stipulated timeframe. SASE is looking for an aircraft with twin engines and a minimum range of 2,000 km, capable of high altitude airfield performance and at least five hours time on station. The laboratory has stipulated that it requires the aircraft to have three sensor stations on board to man customer supplied equipment that includes an aerial LiDAR (light-radar) system and aerial large format photographic camera system, both from Switzerland's Leica Geosystems AG and and aerial hyperspectral sensor system from Canadian firm ITRES Research Ltd.