Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

[RPK]

DRDO working on more advanced version of Arjun MBT: Saraswat - India - The Times of India

NEW DELHI: After receiving orders for 124 more Arjun main battle tanks, the DRDO has decided to supply an advanced version of the weapon system to meet the requirements of the Army.

"We will have the modifications (on Arjuns) that the Army is looking for," Defence Research and Development Organisation chief V K Saraswat said here on Thursday.

He was asked if the DRDO had any plans of delivering a more advanced version of Arjun to the Army as part of the next order. The DRDO chief was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function to mark the golden jubilee of the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS).

Saraswat said that the DRDO had already started working on the mark II version of the tank, which will incorporate a number of modifications that have been sought by the Army.

"We have to make certain modifications in the tank, which we call the Arjun mark II version. Development process on mark II is already in progress and our scientists and the Army are working together," Saraswat said.

The DRDO chief said the decision by the Army to place orders for 124 more Arjuns will ensure that the assembly line of the tanks is "engaged".

Army has till date placed orders for 248 Arjun tanks of which 124 have already been delivered to it. The orders for additional 124 tanks was placed after the comparative trials in March and April this year.

The comparative trials between the Arjun and the Russian T-90 were carried out to decided the future of the tank in the Army, during which the indigenous tanks reportedly performed satisfactorily.

The DRDO wants the Army to place orders for at least 500 Arjuns to recover its investments before staring work on the futuristic main battle tank for the service.

 

[WelcomeBack]

i DRDO's one scientist team should start working on Future MBT rather than waiting for more order or modernization in Arjun.

 

[RPK]

India Develops Oxygen System For High-Altitude Helo Flights | AVIATION WEEK

India’s Defense Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (Debel) has developed an “oxygen life-support system for helicopter pilots operating at high altitudes.”

Debel— part of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) — was tasked to develop the system by the Indian air force (IAF) on “an urgent basis.” Following a quick development and rigorous tests by the Center for Military Airworthiness and Certification, a few prototype systems were delivered to the IAF. Per DRDO policies, the technology is being transferred to three Indian companies, which are gearing up for mass production.

“After extended user trials, we were told that the helicopter oxygen system worked satisfactorily,” Debel Director V.C. Padaki tells AVIATION WEEK.

During high-altitude operations, oxygen levels in the body drop, and pilots and other crewmembers have to depend upon on supplemental oxygen for normal breathing.

“IAF specification was to develop a system that can be useful for over two hours,” Padaki says. “This was critical while undertaking routine helicopter flying in border areas. Initially the system was developed for Cheetah helicopters. We are now working on one for Cheetal helicopters that can operate in excess of three hours. The IAF also wants separate systems to be developed for Mi-17 and Dhruv helicopters.”

The system consists of an oxygen cylinder, a pressure reducer head, dilution demand oxygen regulator and a mask mounted on the helmet. “We had provided IAF 10 sets of [the system], as per their immediate requirements after limited qualification and certification tests, and are now expecting combined orders in excess of 400 units,” Padaki says.

The estimated price per unit is Rs 1.5 lakh ($3,200) compared with Rs 10 lakh for an imported system. The total value of the order is pegged at Rs 6 crores ($1.35 million).

 

[RPK]

We have the world’s best bridging system: RnDE

After successfully designing Sarvatra-the longest multi-span bridging system in the world, Research and Development Establishment, Engineers (RnDE, DRDO) has recently added two Short Span Bridging Systems (SSBS) to their Universal Bridging System (UBS), which they claim is the most advanced bridging system in the world. This has given a perfect completion to India’s mobile, military bridging requirements.



“We have just finished the designing aspects of SSBS 5 and 10 that provide bridging on 5 and 10 metre gaps encountered on the battlefield. Besides, these short bridges will assist Sarvatra which has a span of 75 metre in steps of 5 to 15- metre bridges,” said N B Vijauakumar, scientist and group director, Combat Engineering Group, RnDE.



Designed on the lines of Sarvatra, the SSBS will ensure sturdy and smooth operation of heaviest military traffic for negotiating wet and dry obstacles on the battlefield with the help of ‘double A shaped’ trestle operated with the use of advanced hydraulic mechanisms.


“As far as the technical specifications are concerned, the UBS in general has four metre width, between 2.5 to six metre depth and a load bearing capacity of MLC 70 which is approximately 70 tonne. “The heavy Indian tanks- MBT Arjun weighs 58.5 tonne, which means that these bridging systems are capable of bearing more weight than the heaviest Indian military vehicles,” said UR Gautam, scientist F and head, Integrated Management Systems Group, RnDE.



Designed over an extensive research of three years, the SSBS can be used as standalone bridges as well as in assistance to Sarvatra. Loaded on the conventional Tatra vehicle, these bridges aim at providing mobility to the Indian Armed Forces over trenches- either man made or natural, thus assuring an effective reach. “The development of these two bridging systems was based on the inputs obtained from the Armed Forces after the development of Sarvatra,” said Gautam. With BEML as the nodal agency, along with other industrial partners, the scientists claim the UBS is the most advanced bridging system in the world.

 

[RPK]

ADE's first micro air vehicle may take off in 4 months - Airlines / Aviation - Transportation - News By Industry - News - The Economic Times

BANGALORE: The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a defence laboratory that comes under the country’s nodal Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is confident that it will be ready with its first micro air vehicle (MAV) by the end of the year.

The programme’s director, VS Chandrasekharan, told ET that ADE, along with the National Aeronautical Laboratory, has designed and developed MAVs for counter-terrorism, urban warfare and relief and rescue operations, and expects to take another three-four months to deliver the final product.

“We are ready with the finished product for a particular specification, an MAV weighing 300 gm. Based on this, we are creating something for low-intensity conflicts,” Mr Chandrasekharan said. Micro and nano air vehicles are used to provide information in real time, while taking videos and transmitting the same back to the ground, enabling minimum reaction time. With miniaturisation being of paramount importance in developing the platform, efforts are on to design MAVs of 100 mm to 200 mm in size, and weighing less than 200 gm.

Mr Chandrasekharan also pointed out that the agency was ready to design MAVs of particular specifications rather than a single product of a generic design. According to him, the platform has received keen interest from the country’s military and paramilitary forces.

“The armed forces have expressed interest. Which is why we have been making the products and giving it to them to use it. The flight demonstrations have been seen by the integrated defence services, and we have received a very positive feedback so far,” Mr Chandrasekharan said. Terming the project as low investment, Mr Chandrasekharan said each MAV is expected to cost around `10 lakh.

 

[RPK]

Embraer aircraft with Indian warning system to fly by 2011

Embraer aircraft with Indian warning system to fly by 2011 2010-09-12 15:50:00
An Indian built Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEWCS) will be integrated into the Brazilian Embraer-145 Aircraft, which will fly in the country in January 2011, said a senior official of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The AEWCS comprises radars that look far and deep providing command and control for battle management functions with data link for both tactical and defence forces, DRDO Chief Controller Prahlada said.


'And the aircraft with the Indian AEWCS will be flying in India by the end of 2011 (after tests),' he said, during an interaction with the media here Friday.


India and Brazil have signed a deal to jointly integrate the DRDO's AEWCS onto a Brazilian airborne platform. Three Brazilian Embraer-145 aircraft will carry the Active Array Antenna Units (AAAU), developed by DRDO.


'Three modified EMB-145 aircraft will be developed under this agreement,' Prahlada said.


The Defence Electronics Application Laboratory (LRDE), one of the DRDO laboratory, is building the primary sensors, communication systems and data link.


The Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) is making self-protection systems, electronic warfare suites and provide communication support systems.


The heart of the radar is from the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment. The integration of the systems, mission computer, display and data handling is being done by the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS).

 

[RPK]

DRDO makes unmanned vehicle | Deccan Chronicle | 2010-10-02

Chennai, Oct. 1: The Defence Research Development Organisation of India (DRDO) and the Defence Research and Technology Office, Singapore, have together developed an unmanned ground vehicle that can be used during nuclear blasts and wars for a reconnaissance to help find injured people.

The project was is executed at the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), Chennai, and according to the scientist (robotics division) and manager of the project, Dr N. Seetharaman, the objective of the project is to create the technology to develop an unmanned ground vehicle.

“We started the project in 2007 and as part of the first phase, we have developed the drive by technology using which, we can drive the vehicle from a distance of anywhere between 500 metres to five km,” said Dr Seetharaman. Explaining the way the vehicle works, the experts said that the unmanned vehicle was connected to an operator computer via wireless technology. The team at the CVRDE has fixed the actuating device in a Honda CRV that has automatic transmission gears.

An operator then operates the car through a
laptop using software developed by DRDO.

The car has an obstacle avoidance radar and a stereovision 3-dimension device that transmits a three dimensional view of the car’s path to the operator.

“We can even fix a light machine gun to the car for defence purposes,” informed Dr Seetharaman.

The CVRDE is demonstrating the capabilities of the car at Shaastra, the technical festival of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.

 

[RPK]

Battle command - Defense-Update Newscast

Elbit Systems Ltd. announced today that it was awarded an approximately $56 million tank upgrade contract from a customer in Asia. The tank upgrade project will span over 24 months and include the installation of battle management systems (BMS), and optronic observation and surveillance systems. The current program is a follow-on upgrade Elbit Systems is conducting with this specific customer (the identity of the customer was not released).

Due to political implications and U.S. technology transfer limitations, Israeli companies are restricted in offering defense systems to a number of Asian countries. Among these, Azerbaijan, India, Singapore and Thailand fit the vague description provided by the company.

It was reported in the Indian media that the Indian state owned DRDO is cooperating with Elbit Systems in the development of Battlefield Management System for the Indian indigenous Arjun tank. BMS integration could follow as part of the continuous Indian upgrades of the T-72M tanks and, and, possibly with the T-90S. Such BMS allows the tank to network with other fighting units, enabling several tanks to network with other each other, to effectively engage multiple targets. On the other hand, Azerbaijan has recently received 62 T-72 tanks from Russian military surplus. Azeri T-72s have already been updated with new fire control and remotely controlled weapon station.

---------- Post added at 06:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:17 AM ----------

The Hindu : States / Other States : Agni-II Plus to be launched in 2011: DRDO


Director-General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) V.K. Saraswat said on Friday that Agni-II Plus, a modified version of the Agni-II strategic missile, would be launched next year.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the valedictory function of the Post Induction Training School (POINTS) at the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) here, Dr. Saraswat said it would have a higher range, higher performance, with respect to the thrust and weight ratio than Agni-II, which has a range of 2,000 km.

He said that BrahMos Aerospace Ltd, a joint venture between India and Russia, would be launching the aircraft version of the super-sonic missile. “It is being developed and it will be integrated with Sukhoi. Within a year, the first development trial will be conducted. Right now, scientists are in the process of checking if it is in need of any modification.”

Dr. Saraswat said the DRDO was developing ballistic missiles with both short and long-range radars which were highly manoeuvrable.

On the indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas, negotiations were going on to acquire the GE4141 engines and this would be completed within a month.

 

[RPK]

DRDO to develop cyber attack proof operating system



Sify Home >> News >> National >> DRDO to develop cyber attack proof operating system


Bangalore: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing a futuristic operating system to protect its sensitive data from cyber attacks, including hacking, a top official said on Saturday.

'We initiated the indigenous computing project in September and a road map is being drawn to implement the programme,' DRDO director general V.K. Saraswat told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

To be located in Bangalore and New Delhi, the operating system would be similar to systems used worldwide.

'Though it will be a real-time system with Windows software, source code and architecture will be proprietary, giving us the exclusivity of owning a system unknown to foreign elements and protect our security system,' Saraswat said after unveiling a training facility at the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), a defence lab in this tech hub.

The new operating system will also reduce the organisation's vulnerability and susceptibility to cyber attacks from internet.

The first of its kind initiative will be used to secure the defence systems for computing in various research areas such as molecular computing and bio-molecular computing, used by the security formations, Saraswat, who is also security advisor to the defence minister, pointed out.

Images: Only in India

'We have pooled 50 scientists from various defence labs in Bangalore and New Delhi to work on the project,' the official said.

The defence laboratory tied up with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chennai and other universities.

'We have also roped in private firms to develop the project,' Saraswat added.

 

[RPK]

The Hindu : States / Tamil Nadu : DRDO to take up research for bringing down cost of bariatric surgery


Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will take up research to bring down the cost of materials used in bariatric surgery, according to Sivathanu Pillai, Chief Controller, Research and Development, DRDO, and Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, BrahMos Aerospace. Addressing a World Obesity Day function here on Saturday at Gem Hospital, he said the DRDO would partner with the hospital and work through its DRDO-BU Centre for Life Sciences in Bharathiar University.

“We can try bringing down the cost of pins used to staple the stomach to make it easier for patients and also help hospitals.” At present the pins were imported and they cost around Rs. 90,000, said C. Palanivelu, director of the hospital.

The DRDO has made some contributions to the medical field such as developing lightweight, low-cost callipers to help orthopaedically challenged, a typhoid detection kit, LASER sensor etc.

It brought down the weight of the prosthetic limb from three kg to 300 gm. Its typhoid-detection equipment can perform the task in three hours. And it has provided Sanjeevini, equipment made using materials used in submarine, to detect survivors in earthquake, to the National Disaster Management Agency. “DRDO used Sanjeevini in the Gujarat earthquake to rescue a number of survivors, even if they were buried 30 m below ground.”

Likewise, the coronary stent, which the DRDO has developed, has brought down the price of stents from Rs.70,000 to Rs.1 lakh to Rs.10,000. It is made of fissile material. Dr. Pillai said that DRDO had completed the testing of a LASER-based sensor to treat diabetes and the same would be available in the market very soon.

Coimbatore Collector P. Umanath said the challenge before the Obesity Foundation, inaugurated on the day, was to create the awareness in society that it was as much a disease as any other. “People, especially in out country, are under the impression that it is healthy to be fat. That's not the case. They must be told that it is a disease, which will lead to diabetes, hypertension and other complications.”

Actor Sivakumar suggested that obesity awareness be created in schools, colleges, government offices and other places. Obesity, diabetes and other diseases would torment society as long as man went against nature. Dr. Palanivelu said children being chubby was not a healthy sign. They and their parents needed to be told of the dangers of obesity, especially in children. The Obesity Foundation would sponsor 25 patients a year for bariatric surgery.

 

[Firemaster]

GOOD GOING DRDO, EXCELLENT RESEARCH

 

[RPK]

DRDO develops drugs that enhance cancer treatment by three times! : MyNews.in


New Delhi: In a major breakthrough in the field of cancer treatment, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is said to have developed new drugs that will enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy. According to reports, DRDO is in the process of launching a new spectrum of cancer drugs that will work on all forms of this deadly disease.

Experts are of the opinion that these drugs developed by DRDO will enhance the effects of radiation therapy by weakening the ability of the cancer cells and raising the immunity system of the body. These drugs are said to be equally effective on complicated cases like brain tumours and soft tissue cancer.

A lot of research works on these forms of drugs are underway across the world, but DRDO seems to have reached the goal ahead of all. After several years of clinical research, the experts at the DRDO reached a conclusion that a compound, 2-Deoxyglucose (2-DG), which resembles glucose but has a slightly different chemical formula and structure, can 'confuse' and 'cheat' cancer cells to become feeble.

Cancer cells spend energy in sucking glucose from the body and then derive energy from these cells. When 2-DG is infused into the body, usually 30 minutes ahead of radiation, the body cells and cancer cells spend energy in sucking glucose. But unlike glucose cells, 2-DG gives them no energy.

Speaking about the landmark achievement of DRDO, BS Dwarakanath, head, Division of Radiation Biosciences, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences of DRDO said: ‘The cancer cells lose energy and become incapable of gaining any. At this time if we give radiation therapy, the cancer cells will not be able to fight back. So the treatment will be effective. This also brings down the intensity of radiation and minimises the side effects.’

Once the DRDO gets green signal from the Drugs Controller General of India over these drugs, the production will commence, as the technology has already been transferred to Dr Reddy's Laboratories.

According to experts, DRDO’s therapy is likely to increase the success rates of cancer treatment by three times, a major respite for patients and the doctors alike. This breakthrough research is definitely going to boost the Indian medical research.

 

[RPK]

http://www.mynews.in/News/drdo_deve...cancer_treatment_by_three_times!_N110561.html

DRDO develops drugs that enhance cancer treatment by three times!


New Delhi: In a major breakthrough in the field of cancer treatment, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is said to have developed new drugs that will enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy. According to reports, DRDO is in the process of launching a new spectrum of cancer drugs that will work on all forms of this deadly disease.

Experts are of the opinion that these drugs developed by DRDO will enhance the effects of radiation therapy by weakening the ability of the cancer cells and raising the immunity system of the body. These drugs are said to be equally effective on complicated cases like brain tumours and soft tissue cancer.

A lot of research works on these forms of drugs are underway across the world, but DRDO seems to have reached the goal ahead of all. After several years of clinical research, the experts at the DRDO reached a conclusion that a compound, 2-Deoxyglucose (2-DG), which resembles glucose but has a slightly different chemical formula and structure, can 'confuse' and 'cheat' cancer cells to become feeble.

Cancer cells spend energy in sucking glucose from the body and then derive energy from these cells. When 2-DG is infused into the body, usually 30 minutes ahead of radiation, the body cells and cancer cells spend energy in sucking glucose. But unlike glucose cells, 2-DG gives them no energy.

Speaking about the landmark achievement of DRDO, BS Dwarakanath, head, Division of Radiation Biosciences, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences of DRDO said: ‘The cancer cells lose energy and become incapable of gaining any. At this time if we give radiation therapy, the cancer cells will not be able to fight back. So the treatment will be effective. This also brings down the intensity of radiation and minimises the side effects.’

Once the DRDO gets green signal from the Drugs Controller General of India over these drugs, the production will commence, as the technology has already been transferred to Dr Reddy's Laboratories.

According to experts, DRDO’s therapy is likely to increase the success rates of cancer treatment by three times, a major respite for patients and the doctors alike. This breakthrough research is definitely going to boost the Indian medical research.

 

[RPK]

DRDO plans to recruit more scientists | TopNews

Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has decided to conduct a placement drive for recruiting more scientists in the defense sector.

The Ministry of Defence reported that about 1,582 scientists had moved to other sectors from DRDO between the year 2006 and 2010.

The reason behind this trend is that scientists want to gain experience in DRDO.

Moreover, the high salary packages offered by private research companies attract them.

The officials said that students are not aware about joining DRDO, so these obstacles have declined the number of scientists in DRDO.

The decision to implement recruitment strategies came while deciding incentives for the existing staff.

During the recession period in 2009, less number of scientists quit their jobs in DRDO.

The officials will first prefer to recruit engineers from leading institutions like Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

Due to less staff at DRDO, most of the projects at the research centre get delayed and faces unexpectedly high costs.

The defence ministry has agreed to appoint engineers with bright talents from all over the country, and they will get salaries according to their work and experience.

 

[rajgoynar]

HYDERABAD: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will invest around Rs.1,000 crore in the city over the next five years to augment missile production and set up a world-class hypersonic wind tunnel facility to meet the growing requirement of strategic systems.

While Rs.600 crore would be invested to expand missile production unit being taken up in collaboration with Bharat Dynamics Limited, another Rs.350 crore would be for setting the wind tunnel to test systems for missiles, aircraft and re-entry vehicles that would fly at hypersonic speed – (above Mach 5) as against the present facilities to test vehicles of speed upto Mach 5.

This was disclosed to reporters on the eve of an international aviation conclave by Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and Director-General, DRDO, V.K. Saraswat here on Wednesday. He said another sophisticated facility was recently established near Dundigal for testing electronic warfare systems and other devices. Avinash Chander, Director, Advanced Systems Laboratory, added that the Open Range Facility near Dundigal would be one of the best in the world.

Dr. Saraswat said a project had been sanctioned for design and development of a 100-seater Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA) basically to provide connectivity to various towns with smaller runways in the country. RTA's project report would be ready by 2011 and it was expected to take seven to 12 years for the first aircraft to roll out.

Replying to a question about US President Barack Obama's announcement for removing DRDO from the entities list, he said it would probably be moved to the approved list by the USA to enable India import technologies. The details were yet to be worked out.

Pointing out that the aviation sector was witnessing a 20-25 per cent growth in the country, he said that a host of experts from aviation industry, including aircraft designers, leading manufacturers and others would deliberate on a wide range of themes at the three-day conclave and exhibition beginning here on Thursday. Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan would inaugurate the event being organised by the Hyderabad chapter of Aeronautical Society of India.


The Hindu : Front Page : World-class wind tunnel facility soon