Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

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Meet India's own Robocop



Defence scientists have planned hi-tech protective gear with see-through-wall radar for commandos battling terrorists

Illustration/ Sameer Pawar

In a bid to avert loss of soldiers and to make low intensity conflict more effective, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has embarked on a mission of turning the ordinary Indian soldier into a sophisticated Robocop.

"The need of the hour is to turn a soldier into a complete independent integrated system whereby he can have a defensive and a sensory system at his disposal whether it is in Jammu and Kashmir, the North East or in a situation like 26/11," said V K Saraswat, director general of DRDO.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the 7th International High Energy Materials Conference and Exhibit 2009, which was organised at the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL).

A Subhananda Rao, director of HEMRL, which falls under DRDO, said, "This is going to be a multi-disciplinary effort. DRDO will bring together bio- scientists, communication engineers, computer experts, clothing experts and several others for making a prototype for a soldier along the lines of Robocop.

 

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Chilli bombs to smoke out terrorists from hiding places

Indian herbs and spices— renowned for their medicinal powers — would now also battle terrorists during peace times and shield the people from effects of any nuclear, biological or chemical weapons attacks during war.

In a first of its kind initiative, experts of India’s premiere organisation engaged in developing defence technologies— the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)— are busy developing a unique non-lethal “Chilli-Grenade” stuffed with the world’s hottest red chillies ‘bhut jolakia’ of Assam to take on insurgents and rioters. They are also working on herbal protective measures to guard the fallout of the use of nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) weapons by an enemy during a war.

“The trials have been conducted for the chilli hand grenades. It gives out such a pungent smoke that either the person flees or comes out of one’s hiding place,”said DRDO’s Chief Controller (Research and Development) Dr W Selvamurthy.

He was in the city to participate in the Nobel Laureate Science Conclave-09 at the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad (IIIT-A).

The chilli bomb is non-lethal. “The smoke from it only brings tears to the person coming in contact and chokes his respiratory tract,” he explained.

The pungency of a chilli is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHUs), that is, the amount of capsaicin (a chemical compound that stimulates nerve endings in the skin) present.

“Until recently, fiery hot Red Savina Habaneros developed in Mexico with a rating of 350,000-580,000 SHUs was regarded the hottest chilli in the world. But we are using Bhut Jolakia chillies which experiments have showed to have a pungency of over a million SHUs,” he added.

Dr Selvamurthy said that in a separate project, the DRDO scientists are also working on finding extracts from herbal plants to produce agents to protect humans against radioactivity. “We are in advance stages of clinical trials of these products. At present there is only one chemical agent available to combat radioactivity, but that is very toxic and therefore dangerous to handle. The herbal products would counter this drawback,” he added

Extracts of two plants, podophylum hexandrum and the well-known seabuckthorn, are being used in the project being undertaken by three different DRDO laboratories at Leh, Delhi and Gwalior,” he explained.

 

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Bomb of a kit


DRDO develops miniature explosive detection kit that can detect nature of explosives at the blast site immediately

The next time you see a Force One Commando opening a case and taking out a stick, which looks like a cigarette, at a blast site don't think that he's lighting up to ease the tension.

You may have just seen a miniaturised disposable explosive detection kit which is soon going to be launched by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Force One Commandos, who are now based in Mumbai, are the first unit to be trained to use this prototype device.

Through the explosive detection kit, the commandos can instantly identify the explosive that was used for detonation. By taking a soil sample from the blast site, and mixing the fluid in the kit, the resultant change of colour can determine the nature of the explosive used in the blast.

More effective
These prototype kits are being made by High Energy Material Research Laboratory (HEMRL) that comes under the DRDO. What is interesting is that they are much more effective and cheaper than the ones available in the US.

Dr A Subhananda Rao, director of HEMRL, said, "The need for a compact detection device was felt long back.

But after the Mumbai terror attack, its need has been felt even more. These detectors will be of use not only to the commandos, but also to the police, BSF and other paramilitary forces, as they are easy to carry and user friendly."

Reny Roy, a scientist who has played a vital role in the making these kits, said, "These kits are better than some of the best explosive detectors around the world. This is because the US-made explosive detection kit has only four reagent bottles that can only perform preliminary tests."

"Once the preliminary test indicates that explosive used was RDX or other substance, then a separate confirmatory test using separate chemicals has to be performed. However, in the Indian variant of the kit, there are eight bottles. Four to perform preliminary test and the other four to perform confirmatory test," Roy added.

The commandant of the Force One Chiranjeev Prasad said, "Our boys have been trained to detect the explosives by using these kits. The kit is a brilliant application of simple common sense and science in making these reagents that can detect even minute traces of explosive dust."

 

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Crucial tests for Agni - 2 & 3 in new year- TIMESNOW.tv - Latest Breaking News, Big News Stories, News Videos

India is going to conduct crucial tests to iron out some flaws in the Agni 2 and Agni 3 missiles. Agni 2 is already inducted into Indian defence and Agni 3 is in the process of being inducted.

But recently, trials of both these missiles had fallen below expectataions. In fact, the night trials of Agni 2 had failed last month.

Now, the DRDO has ordered fresh tests on both missiles. They are both nuclear capable missiles and can hit China.

The DRDO says the main flaws are due to production gaps and the Defence Minister too has said the rough edges will be soon be sorted out.

Dr V K Saraswat, Chief, DRDO, says quality control was very important and this problem of production had to be looked into.

A K Antony, Defence Minister said he is confident that the missile problems will be sorted out.

 

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DRDO Supplies $6 Billion Weaponry To Defence Forces | India Defence Online

India’s defence research agency, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a number of systems worth $6 billion have been inducted into the Armed Forces. Announcing in the parliament Dec. 16, Defence Minister A K Antony said a large number of systems are in the process of development production and induction.

Antony said India is fully focussed towards enhancing self-reliance in military hardware. However, achieving self-reliance in this area is a joint responsibility that has to be met through national efforts by all Government agencies including Ministry of Defence, Defence Industries (both Public and private), Ordnance Factories and DRDO.

A press release issued by the Defence Ministry said , “ As per provisions in Defence Procurement Procedure for “Make” Category, DRDO is concentrating only on development of strategic, complex and security sensitive systems.”
DRDO has also been developing need based products for the Armed Forces operating at high altitudes, deserts, rain forest, deep sea, etc. To increase their operational efficiency. These products are extremely useful in protecting our soldiers against adverse environmental conditions. Technologies, developed by DRDO, have been transferred to industries for their bulk production to meet the demands of Armed Forces.

Antony informed the parliament that there are no financial constraints in DRDO to attract trained talents. Sixth Central Pay Commission has also recommended a number of incentives for scientists which have been accepted and implemented by the Government. Attrition of scientists has reduced in the last two years in DRDO.

 

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DRDO Rolls Out Multi-Purpose Micro Air Vehicles | India Defence Online

Indian scientists from Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) are presently developing Micro Air Vehicles (MAV) for varied defence applications such as surveillance and disaster management. These MAVs are made of a unique mix of material and are not easily detectable by radars.

The research and development on the MAVs are promoted by the National Design and Research Forum (NDRF), with support of Aeronautical Research and Development Board (AR&DB), Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and various private groups.

The MAV are like tiny vehicles that work like spies in sky. They weigh only 300 gms and are 300 millimetres long. Since these MAVs are not entirely made of metal and carbon fibres, they are hard to intercept by radars and sensors. These MAVs have a range of two to five kilometers and they fly some 100 to 200 metres above the ground for 30-40 minutes and capture images.
Lt. Gen (Dr) V J Sundaram, key scientist behind the MAV who was the former Director DRDO said that the MAV may be of the order of $16,000 and the sensors alone will take up 30 to 40 per cent of the cost. As of now, the MAV programme has become a national research initiative and a proposal of $19.6 million has been submitted to the Government to approach the project in an integrated manner. While MAVs will come in handy for the Indian Defence Forces, it can also be applied in other areas such as disaster management since they can be easily operated and deployed.

The Indian defence research organisations first supported MAV concepts in 1998. A study of MAVs was initiated in 2002 and a “national perspectives” report was produced in April 2003. A decision to develop MAVs was taken in 2005 and in the same year there was a US-Indian workshop on the technology. A fixed-wing MAV project was proposed in 2006. In 2008, a prototype was produced for fixed, rotor and flapping-wing MAVs and work has been going on to enable technologies including navigation, power supply and launch and recovery.

 

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DRDO To Partner With PVT Firms For Radar Projects | India Defence Online

As India inches closer towards the development of the advanced long-range tracking radars (LRTRs), the local private and state-owned firms are gearing up to benefit from the outsourcing contracts worth millions of dollars that will come their way.

The state-owned Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has indicated that it intends to outsource the majority of the work in developing six to seven LRTRs worth $1.2 billion. The latest range of radars being designed will be an upgraded version of the LRTR already developed by DRDO in collaboration with Israel. These LRTRs will detect small targets in the 600-800 kilometer range.

Indian private and public sector firms that have evinced interest in grabbing a chunk of business from the LRTR project include state-owned Bharat Electricals Limited (BEL) and Electricals Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) and private sector majors like Larsen & Toubro and Wipro. The outsourcing work for the LRTR will include manufacturing ancillary gear to the sophisticated software needed to run various programmes.
The Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), part of DRDO, develops radar systems and other related technologies for the defence forces. The latest feather in the cap of LRDE is the Long-range Solid State Active Phase Array Radar (LSTAR) programme. The LSTAR programme is a part of India’s prestigious India’s Airborne Early Warning and Control System programme. The LSTAR project has been approved by the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification. It has been integrated and tested on ground-based systems and qualified for airborne applications. The LRDE has developed the X-band active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology. The AESA technology allows ships and aircraft to broadcast powerful radar signals while they themselves remain under stealth. The AESA radar could be fitted on the indigenous ‘Tejas’ Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) by 2014 under the LSTAR project.

Indian Defence is also focusing towards more Battlefield Management Systems (BMS) and integrating the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. This includes the development of sensors, digitally enabled weapons, information grids which will enable the efficient functioning of the weapons and networking of data.

According to Indian Army officials, a fully digitized system has been integrated by the defence sector which is the artillery combat command and control system (ACCCS). The ‘Shakti’ ACCCS has been inducted and it is a network of military grade computers which provides decision support for all operational aspects of artillery functions from the corps down to the batteries. This ACCCS will be operational within an year at all levels of the artillery, officials added.

Other significant developments that will enhance the network-centric capabilities of the Indian defence includes the design and development of an UCAV (unmanned combat aerial vehicle) which will not only conduct surveillance, gather intelligence and transmit it but will also help detect the target and destroy identified objects.The UCAV can be controlled at various command control centres.

Currently, India has radars like the ‘Swordfish’ which has a range of 600 kilometres and the DRDO plans to upgrade the capacity of Swordfish to 1,500 km in a couple of years. The LRDE has also produced the Indra-1 and Indra -2 radars that work on the Doppler principle. Indra-1 has a 50 kilometre range and is integrated with the fire control radar. Indira-2, an improvement over Indira-1, was designed as per the needs of the IAF which wanted a radar that can identify dense-formation targets and can be used even at high altitudes. LRDE has also developed the ‘Bharani’, a portable, short-range, light-weight radar which provides 2D surveillance, mainly in mountainous terrain, against aerial targets. Besides that, LRDE’s portable Battle Field Surveillance Radar (BFSR) – Short Range has been developed and it is an all-weather automated detection of intrusions system was needed. Over 1,400 BFSRs are now being used by the Army against moving surface targets. A BFSR radar that offers foliage penetration is under development.

The LRDE has also developed an electronically scanned C-Band Doppler Weapon Locating Radar for use by the Artillery Corps called ‘Rohini’ which is a 3D, medium-range, vehicle-mounted surveillance radar that offers 360 degree coverage and has a range of 150-180 kilometre range. It is used against low, medium and high-flying targets. It is designed for the IAF and will also be part of the Akash missile system. LRDE has also developed ‘Aslesha’, a 3D low-level, light-weight radar designed for use in mountainous terrain and against aerial targets. There is also ‘Rajendra’ which is a multi-function, phased array radar and is the primary sensor at the battery level for the Akash weapon system. It can perform extensive searches, track multiple targets and missiles as well as command and guide multiple missiles concurrently.

 

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India To Revive Kaveri Engine Project | India Defence Online

After a series of apprehensions, the indigenously designed ‘Kaveri’ engine, which was meant to power the homegrown ‘Tejas’ Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), is back again in the spotlight as the main contender for the LCA.

India had recently deemed the ‘Kaveri’ engine unfit after its on-going flight tests and was on the verge of finalizing either the Eurojet EJ-200 or the General Electric F-414 engines for the ‘Tejas’ LCA. However, India has made a turnaround in its decision and intends to go in for a powerful version of the ‘Kaveri’ engine to be co-designed by the French firm Snecma.

The cause for this change of plans is due to the skepticism that India has in acquiring the Eurojet or General Electric engines. India feels that Eurojet and General Electric would not be providing India with critical engine technologies despite the mandatory Transfer of Technology (ToT) in the purchase contract. The tender stipulates that 50 per cent of the technology must be transferred to India. However, there are chances that the international firm may not give the critical high-end technology that would be important for India.
Defence Ministry sources indicated that India will now co-develop an engine in India rather than manufacturing one under licence. The state-owned Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)’s Gas Turbine and Research Establishment (GTRE), which has a design partnership with French engine-maker, Snecma, has been asked to design a more powerful successor for the ‘Kaveri’ engine.

Minister of State for Defence, Dr Pallam Raju said that the ‘Kaveri’ engine has been underestimated in terms of the benefit it will bring to India. Since large scale research and development has already been invested in the ‘Kaveri’ engine, it will be a waste of time and money to put this in the back-burner. He added that the French firm ‘Snecma’ are willing to go beyond just transfer of technology and since it is a value-added offer, it will give India better technology than what India would get from ToT from Eurojet or General Electric.

Defence Ministry officials feel that India will need to take a crucial decision soon since the ‘Kaveri’ engine has already run into lot of delays and cost-overruns. GTRE is positive that the Snecma-GTRE venture will be fully capable of producing an engine as good as the F-414 and the EJ-200. It will involve improving from the current ‘Kaveri’ engine’s maximum thrust of 65 Kilo Newtons (KN) to the 95 KN that the EJ-200 and F-414 currently have

 

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Steps taken to modify BrahMos missile: DRDO official

Nagercoil (TN), Dec 31 (PTI) Steps are being taken to modify the BrahMos missile to be used both by the Air Force and Army, Dr Siva Thanu Pillai, Chief Controller (R&D , Defence Research and Development Organisation said here today.

Efforts are on to develop the supersonic BrahMos-2 missile, Pillai, also CEO and MD, BrahMos Aerospace, told reporters.

Steps have been taken to manufacture parts of the missile from the Army Research Centre at Thiruvanathapuram and the "first stage" is in progress, he added.

BrahMos missile, a joint venture of India and Russia, was well received in the international community and some countries are eager to buy the missile, the DRDO chief controller added.

The test of an upgraded BrahMos supersonic cruise missile failed twice in this year after which the Army refused to accept the weapon unless proved. The third test, however, in March hit the bull's eye.


fullstory

 

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http://www.indiaedunews.net/IIT/DRDO%2C_IIT-D_joins_hands_for_weather_forecast_system_10031/

DRDO, IIT-D joins hands for weather forecast system


Chandigarh: In order to develop an indigenous capability and methodology for long term forecast of weather, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in its first kind of venture has joined hands with the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D)

The joint venture would enable generation of weather forecast reports over the entire duration of the season.

Presently, the accuracy to anticipate the weather forecast is limited to a week.

“We are looking forward to extend this period of forecasting weather and climatic formations about one or two months ahead which would eventually extend to anticipation of a seasonal duration,” said Ashwagosha Ganju, Director of DRDO’s Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE).

“The project will take around three years to devise effective models for weather forecasting,” he added.

The SASE is a nodal agency for the project, engaged in studying snow physics, avalanche mitigation and climatic conditions over the Himalayas.

Funded by the DRDO, it is the first of its kind of a joint venture in the country.

Six experts in atmospheric sciences from the SASE and the IIT are engaged in the project where the IIT would be responsible for conceiving and developing forecast models and DRDO observatories and weather stations would collect data.

Extending its mountain meteorology project, SASE from now onwards, will focus on Western Himalayas and to the Central Himalayan axis to improve weather forecast and avalanche warning.

Besides the SASE, the Meteorological Department, the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast, the Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force are stakeholders in the project.

 

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The Hindu : News / National : DRDO builds technology blocks to kill enemy satellites

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is building the technology blocks needed to “neutralise” hostile satellites in low earth and polar orbits, according to V.K. Saraswat, DRDO Director-General and Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister.

These blocks are the kill vehicle that will bring down the adversarial satellites, long-range radars, communication systems, laser-based systems and imaging infra-red seekers which will give a complete picture of the satellite. They will be generated as part of the DRDO’s Ballistic Missile Defence Programme, which will reach “maturity in totality” in 2014, Dr. Saraswat said. He was addressing a press conference here on Sunday.

 

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fullstory

DRDO asked to cover bright lights in Wheelers Island

Kendrapara (Orissa), Jan 3 (PTI) The Orissa Forest Department has asked the DRDO to cover high-power lights at its test-range in Wheelers Islands along the Bay of Bangal so as to not disturb the breeding of endangered Olive Ridley turtles.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has its Missile Test Range Centre in the Wheelers group of Island off Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, one of the few remaining nesting sites in the world for the rare species.

The appeal has been made through a letter as there is every possibility that breeding of Olive Ridley sea turtles may get distracted by bright lights during mass nesting, said Prasanna Kumar Behera, Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (Wildlife) Forest Division.

"The mass nesting of turtles is on full swing since a large number of breeding turtles have been sighted along the deep sea in the past fortnight.

 

[gubbi]

Excellent thread rpraveenkum. Keep up the goodwork.

 

[mokkaiboy]

i too appreciate rpraveenkum for his tremendous job.. keep it up brotherhttp://www.defence.pk/forums/images/smilies/cute/wave.gif

 

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DRDO braces up for a series of tests

BALASORE: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) which is planning a series of missile tests in the next few months has a host of challenges before it to fit into the defence requirements of the country in the light of the heightening tension in and around India.


Sources said, at least five different ranges and variants of missiles are likely to be tested by the defence scientists and Indian Army in the first quarter of the year. The missiles to be tested from the integrated test range (ITR) off the Orissa coast are India’s longest range Agni-III, Agni-II, an interceptor, Shourya (the land version of submarine launched ballistic missile K-15) and BrahMos.

While 2000 km plus range Agni-II missile is scheduled for trial between January 6 and 9, the 3500 km range Agni-III will be test-fired by this month end.

The three other missile tests will be conducted one after another to gauge their accuracy and performances, said a source at the ITR in Chandipur-on-sea.

Defence analysts feel the scientists have to come out credibly to hold high the reputation of DRDO and to fit into the shoes of eminent defence scientists like APJ Abdul Kalam. ‘’Challenges are many and it is yet to see how it comes over the failures of the preceding years. Success and failures although tread along, keeping in view the defence requirements of the country, people have got a zero tolerance level as far as failures of the DRDO is concerned,’’ they remarked.

‘’While BrahMos and Shourya will be test fired from the ITR at Chandipur from a silo launcher, the Agni variants will be tested from the Wheelers Island off Dhamra coast in Bhadrak district.

During the advanced air defence (AAD) interceptor test, a Prithvi missile, modified to mimic a hostile ballistic missile with a 300 km -1,000 km range, will be fired from the Chandipur base and will be intercepted by another missile fired few seconds later from Wheeler Island,” said a defence scientist.

Defence sources said, the 2000 km plus range Agni-II missile, which was first tested in 1999 has a length of 21 meters, a diameter of 1.3 meters and weighs 19 tonnes. Having South China as the main target, the missile is designed to carry a one-tonne weapon. The Agni-III has a range of over 3,000 km and is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. ‘’India is now developing Agni-V having a strike range of 5000 km which will probably fly in the air early next year,’’ said a source.

Apart from its long range missiles, the DRDO is now focusing on the ballistic missile defence (BMD) system. As part of the project it has already developed two interceptors – exo-atmospheric (outside the atmosphere) and endo-atmospheric (within the atmosphere).

‘’While the exo-atmospheric PAD has been tested twice, the second test of the endo-atmospheric AAD interceptor will be conducted this time,’’ the source informed.

Similarly, the newly developed 600-km range ‘Shourya’ ballistic missile, which can be fired from underground silos unlike the Prithvi and Agni missiles will be tested for the second time.

It is meant to boost the country’s second strike capabilities.

Significantly, Shourya missiles can remain camouflaged in underground silos from enemy surveillance or satellites till they are fired from the special storage-cum-launch canisters.