Pankaj Kaushal

About Pankaj Kaushal

Results-driven UAV professional with 25+ years of combined experience in the Indian Army…

Experience

1. Senior Manager Flight Operation & Business Development

   Asteria Aerospace Limited

   May 2021 — Present · Gurugram, IN

   Spearheading UAV flight operations and business development, ensuring full operational readiness, customer satisfaction, and successful delivery of high-value UAV programs.• Reviewed and analyzed RFIs, EOIs, and RFPs, aligning proposals with client QRs, improving bid compliance, and securing competitive advantage in a highly competitive defence procurement environment.• Executed comprehensive internal and external UAV trials, developed detailed evaluation reports, and ensured 100% compliance with user and trial authority requirements.• Served as Test Pilot for newly developed UAV platforms and imported UAV systems, validating design performance, payload integration, and mission endurance in diverse operating conditions.• Developed and implemented Mission-Ready Compliance Matrix (MRCM) for new UAV platforms, ensuring technical, operational, and safety benchmarks were fully met before deployment.• Trained and certified UAV operators and technical teams, standardizing procedures across Asteria’s fleet for safe, reliable, and efficient flight operations.• Established and enforced SOPs for mission execution, logistics planning, and resource deployment, reducing turnaround times and enhancing operational efficiency by 25%.• Liaised with defence authorities and user formations for trial planning, UAV deployment, and user acceptance trials, ensuring seamless client interaction and delivery confidence.• Directly contributed to multiple UAV program successes, supporting business wins worth ₹110+ Crores and enabling Asteria to strengthen its market footprint in India’s UAV defence sector.