Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

[RPK]

varuanstra indian heavy weight torpedo undergoing production


The indigenously built heavyweight torpedo, Varunastra, is scheduled to undergo into production in 2009. Being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to counter threats from the sea, Varunastra can be fired against hostile submarines and ships. The DRDO’s Visakhapatnam-based Naval Science and Technology Laboratory (NSTL) is currently developing the Varunastra.

“We are developing two types of torpedoes. The lightweight anti-submarine torpedo is currently under production. The heavyweight Varunastra requires more user trials before it can be inducted into the Navy. It will undergo extensive trials by the end of this year and will be ready for production in 2009,” a senior NSTL official, who was visiting DRDO facilities in Orissa, told the Hindustan Times. A torpedo, on entering water, performs pre-programmed search patterns, detects and homes in on targets and explodes on impact to destroy/damage them.

A heavyweight torpedo like the Varunastra is fired from a submarine or ship. “This torpedo is wire-guided. In other words, the guidance wire acts as a medium for communication of data between the torpedo and the firing platform (ship or submarine). The wire is also a medium to communicate data to guide the torpedo towards the target during the underwater run,” the NSTL official said. “DRDO has developed guidance wire spools for wire-guided torpedoes like Varunastra. This system has undergone sea trials and performed satisfactorily. DRDO has also developed an onboard instrumentation system for torpedoes.”

The official added that the instrumentation system performs pre-launch communication, monitors health of the torpedo and stores torpedo parameters online.

Despite the strides made in the indigenous production of torpedoes, the Indian Navy still suffers from a handicap: how to train submarine or ship crew in torpedo firing. Use of real torpedoes for training is cost prohibitive, so naval officials train with practice torpedoes. For this purpose, NSTL has designed, developed and produced a ‘drill and practice torpedo’, which is the equivalent of an Italian torpedo, currently available with the Indian Navy. The indigenous drill and practice torpedo is available at one-sixth the cost of an imported torpedo.


with this india has joined a elite club of nations that can produce torpedoes of this kind previously it was only developed by eight countries but now india has joined them also.

 

[RPK]

LCA MK2 getting ready for indian navy

Indian Navy has okay-ed the placement of an order for six Naval Tejas Light Combat Aircrafts (N-LCA). At an approximate cost of Rs 150 crore per aircraft, this will provide a Rs 900 crore infusion into the Naval LCA programme.

That investment in the Tejas programme is rooted in the navy's plan to operate both light and medium fighters off its aircraft carriers.

The Naval LCA will supplement the heavier Russian MiG-29K, which has already been ordered from Russia. The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC), being built at Cochin Shipyard, Kochi, has been designed with a separate aircraft lift and maintenance facilities for the LCA, in addition to facilities for the MiG-29K. That has linked the development of the Naval LCA with the construction of the IAC, which is expected to join the fleet by 2014.

But the LCA programme faces a bottleneck in choosing a new engine. Two uprated engines -- the General Electric GE-414 and the Eurojet EJ-200 -- are currently being evaluated, but will be supplied only by 2013-14. And only with the new engine will the LCA have the power to get airborne from an aircraft carrier.

P S Subramaniam, the Director of the Aeronautical Development Agency, which coordinates the LCA programme, explains: "We will fly the Naval LCA with the current GE-404 engine to test its flight characteristics, and whether its structural strength is sufficient for aircraft carrier operations. After the LCA is fitted with a new, more powerful engine we will take the next step of operating from an aircraft carrier."

Meanwhile, a major shore-based test facility is coming up at INS Hansa, in Goa, which replicates an aircraft carrier deck on ground, complete with arrested recovery and a ski jump for take off. This facility, which is expected to be operational by October 2011, will be used for certifying the Naval LCA before actually flying off an aircraft carrier. This will also be used for pilots’ training and for training maintenance crews.

 

[RPK]

Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher weapon system

India's indigenously developed multi-barrel rocket launcher weapon system, 'Pinaka' was successfully tested on Wednesday jointly by the army and scientists from a defence base at Chandipur-on-sea, about 15 km from Balasore, Orissa.

'Pinaka', which has undergone several tough tests since 1995 and in its advance stage of development, were put to sample trials at the Proof Experimental Establishment by army and scientists from Defence Research and Development Organisation, defence sources said. "The objective of the trials was to assess its stability in flight as well as accuracy and consistency," a defence official said, adding that the MBRL, capable of acting as a force-multiplier, can gradually replace the current artillery system. The first round of trial, conducted at 1214 hours, yielded the desired results, PXE director Maj-Gen Anup Malhotra said.

The tests coincided with the golden jubilee celebrations of the DRDO. The sophisticated 'Pinaka' is an area weapon system aimed at supplementing the existing artillery gun at a range beyond 30 km. Its quick reaction time and high rate of fire gives an edge to the army during low-intensity warlike situation.

The unguided rocket system is meant to neutralise bigger geographical area with rapid salvo of rockets. With a range of 40 km, 'Pinaka' can fire salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds. One salvo each (12 rockets) from the battery of six launchers can neutralise at a time a target area of 3.9 sq km. The system's capability to incorporate several types of warheads makes it deadly for the enemy as it can even destroy their solid structures and bunkers.

Wednesday's exercise involved six rounds of sample trials for which rockets were picked up randomly from 102 samples, the sources said. Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), which is the nodal agency to develop the 'Pinaka', has also reported to have developed a high performance artillery rocket system, which can fire up to a range between 70 km and 120 km, they said.

ARDE has announced that it is developing a 7.2-metre rocket for the Pinaka MBRL, which can reach a distance of 120 km and carry a 250 kg payload. These new rockets can be fired in 44 seconds, have a maximum speed of mach 4.7, rise to an altitude of 40 km before hitting its target at mach 1.8 and can destroy an area of 3.9 sq km. Integrating UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) with the Pinaka is also in the pipeline, as DRDO intends to install guidance systems on these rockets to increase their accuracy.

Development and trials will continue and the rocket is expected to enter service by 2012. The first Pinaka regiment was raised in February 2000. A regiment consists of three batteries of six Pinakas each, plus reserves, the sources said. Tata Power's advanced material division and Larsen and Tubro's heavy engineering division were awarded a Rs 200 crore contract to produce 40 Pinaka MRBLs each.

 

[RPK]

Boost Phase Missile Defense



(the image shown here is actually an american method of boost phase missile defence but this is how the indian boost phase missile defence will work too)




The Laser and Science Technology Centre (LASTEC) is also reported to be developing lasers to takeout enemy missiles during their boost phase, when they are most vulnerable.

"It's easier to kill a missile in boost phase as it has not gained much speed and is easier to target. It cannot deploy any countermeasures and it is vulnerable at that time," DRDO's Air Defense Program Director V K Saraswat told PTI in January 2009.

"In LASTEC, we are developing many of these technologies. We have to package these technologies on aircraft like the Americans have done on their systems," he added.

"It is an involved process and not just about producing lasers. We have to put in many systems like the surveillance and tracking systems together for such a system to work. It will take another 10-15 years before we talk of integrating all these elements," he said.

A Boost Phase Missile defense system will need to rely on a space based launch detection system like the SBIRS satellite constellation being deployed by the US. Unlike the SBIRS, which is global in scope, India would require a more limited system to monitor Pakistan and China. India could also buy into the US SBIRS while developing its own limited constellation.

 

[RPK]

The KALI (Kilo Ampere Linear Injector)

The KALI (Kilo Ampere Linear Injector)

The KALI (Kilo Ampere Linear Injector) is a linear electron accelerator being developed in India, by the Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).


The KALI is not a laser weapon as commonly believed. It emits powerful pulses of electrons (Relativistic Electron Beams- REB). Other components in the machine down the line convert the electron energy into EM Radiation, which can be adjusted to x-ray (as Flash X-Rays) or microwave (High Power Microwave) frequencies.

This has fueled hopes that the KALI could, one day be used in a High-Power Microwave gun, which could destroy incoming missiles and aircraft through soft-kill (destroying the electronic circuitry on the missile). However, weaponising such a system has many obstacles to overcome.

The KALI's potential for a military role as a beam weapon has made it, in the eyes of the people, "India's Star Wars". However, weaponisation of the KALI will take some time. The system is still under development, and efforts are being made to make it more compact, as well as improve its recharge time, which, at the present, makes it only a single use system.

There are also issues of creating a complete system, which would require development of many more components. There have also been reports of placing the weaponized KALI in an Il-76 aircraft as an airborne defence system. There is also speculation of using the KALI as an Anti-satellite weapon and as a space-based weapon system, although it is unlikely that they would be implemented, given India's stance on those issues.

If weaponized, it is quite likely that KALI would be integrated into India's fledgling Ballistic Missile Defense program.

 

[RPK]

DRDO: GOALS FOR THE YEAR 2010


http://www.drdo.com/pub/nl/2010/jan10.pdf

 

[RPK]

GOALS FOR THE YEAR 2010


Missile Systems Cluster


• Production and induction of Akash for IAF & Army
• Flight test with active seeker for Astra in Ground-to-Air mode
• Control and navigation flight test of LRSAM
• Flight test of PDV Interceptor
• Flight tests of A2, A3 and A5 and Shourya Missiles
• Launch of ASTROIDS- II and Sangram-II at War centers


Aeronautics Cluster


• Initial Operational Clearance for LCA Tejas
• Launch of Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Program
• Concept proof for 3Ton Space Payload Recovery
• Altitude Test and Flying Test Evaluation of Kaveri Engine
• Electronic Warfare Suites for LCA, Mig-29 and Su-30 Aircrafts
• Ground Integration of Advanced Early Warning subsystems
• Launch Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV program


Armament & Combat Engineering Cluster


• Induction of modern sub machine carbine,
• Induction of Pinaka in two more squadrons
• Development of sub-munition 125mm FSAPDS Mk II for T-72 and
anti-laser and anti thermal smoke grenade


Electronics & Communication Cluster


• Realisation of prototype Active Apertures for (Low Level Transportable
Radar) LLTR & (Medium Power Radar) MPR
• Realisation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
• Installation and commissioning of Divya Drishti System for (SI)
directorate
• Development, Production and User trials of VARUNA- EW system for
Navy
• Realisation of prototype VLF receiver for Navy
• Integrated Thermal Imager with Range finder and laser designator
-field trials for Infantry/Artillery
• Commanders Panoramic Sight -field trials
• Production Non-lethal DEW systems for Mine diffusion and Dazzling


Material Sciences Cluster


• Commencement of Titanium sponge production at KMML based on
DMRL technology
• Completion of LSP orders of NBC Recee vehicle & NBC Water
Purification System
• Field trial and introduction of low emissivity coatings for multi-spectral
camouflage in VIS-NIR & TIR (3.5 μm & 8-12 μm)
Life Sciences Cluster
• Rapid induction of troops to high altitude will be addressed through
R&D efforts in hyperoxic tents, light weight oxygen cylinders and use
of glocorticoids
• Technologies development for air crew, submariners and troops
operating in deserts
• Technologies to be developed under NBC Programme will include
: LIDAR based detection for chemical clouds; Self decontaminating
NBC suit impregnated with silver nano particles; Inflatable field
shelters; Autonomous ground vehicles for surveillance and
reconnaissance


Naval Systems Cluster


• Completion of user trials for Varunastra Torpedo, Anti Torpedo
Decoy System (Mareech) and induction of light weight Mines to
India Navy.
• Self reliance in towed Array technologies by proving Towed Array
Sonar (Nagan).
• Helicopter borne Low Frequency Dunking Sonar Mareech.

 

[Chanakyaa]

GOALS FOR THE YEAR 2010


Missile Systems Cluster


• Production and induction of Akash for IAF & Army
• Flight test with active seeker for Astra in Ground-to-Air mode
• Control and navigation flight test of LRSAM
• Flight test of PDV Interceptor
• Flight tests of A2, A3 and A5 and Shourya Missiles
• Launch of ASTROIDS- II and Sangram-II at War centers


Aeronautics Cluster


• Initial Operational Clearance for LCA Tejas
• Launch of Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Program
• Concept proof for 3Ton Space Payload Recovery
• Altitude Test and Flying Test Evaluation of Kaveri Engine
• Electronic Warfare Suites for LCA, Mig-29 and Su-30 Aircrafts
• Ground Integration of Advanced Early Warning subsystems
• Launch Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV program


Armament & Combat Engineering Cluster


• Induction of modern sub machine carbine,
• Induction of Pinaka in two more squadrons
• Development of sub-munition 125mm FSAPDS Mk II for T-72 and
anti-laser and anti thermal smoke grenade


Electronics & Communication Cluster


• Realisation of prototype Active Apertures for (Low Level Transportable
Radar) LLTR & (Medium Power Radar) MPR
• Realisation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
• Installation and commissioning of Divya Drishti System for (SI)
directorate
• Development, Production and User trials of VARUNA- EW system for
Navy
• Realisation of prototype VLF receiver for Navy
• Integrated Thermal Imager with Range finder and laser designator
-field trials for Infantry/Artillery
• Commanders Panoramic Sight -field trials
• Production Non-lethal DEW systems for Mine diffusion and Dazzling


Material Sciences Cluster


• Commencement of Titanium sponge production at KMML based on
DMRL technology
• Completion of LSP orders of NBC Recee vehicle & NBC Water
Purification System
• Field trial and introduction of low emissivity coatings for multi-spectral
camouflage in VIS-NIR & TIR (3.5 μm & 8-12 μm)
Life Sciences Cluster
• Rapid induction of troops to high altitude will be addressed through
R&D efforts in hyperoxic tents, light weight oxygen cylinders and use
of glocorticoids
• Technologies development for air crew, submariners and troops
operating in deserts
• Technologies to be developed under NBC Programme will include
: LIDAR based detection for chemical clouds; Self decontaminating
NBC suit impregnated with silver nano particles; Inflatable field
shelters; Autonomous ground vehicles for surveillance and
reconnaissance


Naval Systems Cluster


• Completion of user trials for Varunastra Torpedo, Anti Torpedo
Decoy System (Mareech) and induction of light weight Mines to
India Navy.
• Self reliance in towed Array technologies by proving Towed Array
Sonar (Nagan).
• Helicopter borne Low Frequency Dunking Sonar Mareech.

The List is Good.
Good Luck DRDO.

 

[RPK]

India to hold wide-ranging strategic talks with US, Israel - India - The Times of India

The Rs 2,606 crore project between DRDO and Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) to develop a supersonic 70-km range Barak-NG (next generation) missile defence system for Indian Navy, for instance, is slated for completion by May 2011.

IAF, too, wants to induct nine air defence squadrons under the mammoth Rs 10,075 crore DRDO-IAI project to develop a medium-range surface-to-air missile (MR-SAM) system, capable of detecting and destroying hostile aircraft at a 80-km range, at the earliest

 

[sudhir007]

http://www.drdo.com/pub/nl/2010/jan10.pdf

 

[sudhir007]

Rechargeable cell useful in defence sector developed

Coimbatore, Jan 21 (PTI) The Centre for Life Sciences, a unit of DRDO in the Bharathiar University (BU), has developed a rechargeable lithium ion battery that can work for longer period in low temperature areas.

Since the jawans operate and live mostly in remote areas located in low temperature locations in the Himalayas for more than one or two months, the cell, which would last nearly three months, would be useful in their communication equipment, BU Vice Chancellor Dr C Swaminathan told reporters here today.

Appearing similar to a 50 paise coin, with two to four voltage range, the cell is awaiting approval from the Defence Research and Development Organisation, after which it would be released for manufacturing and commercial production, he said.
fullstory

 

[RPK]

Laser guided bombs tested successfully by India - dnaindia.com

New Delhi: India today carried out two successful flight trials of laser-guided bombs (LGBs) for the IAF to test the effectiveness of the guidance and control systems at the Chandipur integrated test range in Orissa.



"Two flight trials were conducted today at Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, to test the effectiveness of the guidance and control systems of the LGBs," a defence ministry release said here.


IAF officers flew their aircraft and released the LGBs as per prescribed standard operating procedures. "On-board systems in both the trials worked satisfactorily and the mission objectives have been met," the release added.


Bangalore-based Aeronautics Development Establishment (ADE) has developed the guidance kit for 1000-pound LGBs and these are designed to improve accuracy of air-to-ground bombing by IAF.


The ADE has already carried out a number of tests on the LGBs both through simulation and flight tests over the last few years to reach the required performance levels.

"The bomb, once released, by the mother aircraft at appropriate range, will seek the target and home on to it very accurately and with high reliability. All the necessary on-board components are sourced from Indian industry," it said.


Instruments Research and Development Establishment, another DRDO lab in Dehradun, has partnered ADE in the project.

 

[RPK]

Brute Gorilla: DRDO participation in Republic Day Parade 2010

DRDO participation in Republic Day Parade 2010
As every year, this year also DRDO will be parading some of their products on the Republic Day. While some of the products already inducted by Indian Army will be forming part of Army’s contingent, other products will be shown under DRDO banner.

The equipments that are being displayed by DRDO in the Republic Day parade for the first time are :


Light Combat Aircraft - Tejas
Shaurya Missile
Rohini Radar


DRDO’s star product namely Agni III missile will be displayed again for the public.


The brief description of each of the equipment is hereby attached.


INDIAN LIGHT COMBAT AIRCRAFT – TEJAS
Indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft – TEJAS is the most compact, light weight, supersonic, multi-role, combat aircraft, best in its class in the world. TEJAS has been built incorporating key technologies like Carbon Composites for primary structures, agility through Unstable Aerodynamic Configuration, Quadruplex Digital Flight Control System, Glass Cockpit and Digital Avionics. As on date, more than 1200 sorties have been successfully flown by IAF pilots on seven prototypes of TEJAS. Trainer variant of TEJAS has successfully taken to skies. Naval variant of TEJAS is being developed for Carrier borne operations and the prototype is in the final stages of fabrication.


AGNI – III MISSILE
Agni – III is an indigenously developed Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile. With a range of 3500 km, Agni – III provides vital deterrence capability for Indian Defence. The Missile with two stage solid propellant Rocket Motor is transported and launched from rail network anywhere in the country. The Missile is inertially guided with high accuracy and is designed to carry nuclear payload.


SHAURYA MISSILE
SHAURYA is a canisterized surface to surface strategic missile developed by DRDO for use by the Armed Forces. Mounted on a 8 x 8 Tatra vehicle this missile has a range of 700 Kms with a 500 kg warhead and can be launched from fixed as well as mobile Launchers. Boosted by a solid propellant rocket motor, the missile travels at hypersonic speeds. Productionisation activity has already commenced and soon this missile will give a real edge to the services in their battle readiness.


ROHINI RADAR
ROHINI is a ground based 3D Medium Range Surveillance Radar for air space surveillance having 180 km range and high altitude coverage. It is capable of detection and tracking hundreds of air targets, even under hostile EW environment. The radar has advanced technologies like multibeam antenna, digital receiver, programmable signal processor providing high resolution, accuracy, response and information availability and 24 x 7 airspace awareness to the Commanders during peace and war time. The radar has been inducted in the service and mode of realization of the radar has been quoted as shining example of DRDO Industry Synergy, the new age objective of DRDO.


DRDO developed systems being showcased by Army are the following :

Main Battle Tank Arjun
Samyukta Integrated EW System
Armoured Engineering Recce Vehicle
Multispan Mobile Bridging System – Sarvatra
Armoured Ambulance

 

[RPK]

Indian Army inducts indigenous Nuclear Biological and Chemical detection(NBC) vehicle






The Indian army has placed orders for eight limited series production of the NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle, which were at present under production at the ordinance factory at Medak and Pune-based BEL factory by involving private sector industries in the project. For most of you who doesn't know what a NBC vehicle is here is a short description its a vehicle that collects data about nuclear, biological or chemical warfare that has been initiated before it is known to ground troops(it actually demarcates the contaminated zones with a flag-marking system and samples of soil and water collected using an in-built scooping device.) and it can also act as a reconnaissance vehicle, as the indigenous vehicle can display and store NBC contamination data in its control console and transmit it to the Army's Command Headquarters on request through Communication Link Controller and Star-V radio set. Troops on the vehicle could also perform personal monitoring of the contamination using various nuclear and chemical monitors in dismount-mode.

The DRDO says that the data transmitted by the vehicle after a reconnaissance mission can be used by the Command Control Centre for further planning for management of any NBC eventuality. In addition to these specialised vehicles, the DRDO has also developed 60 other projects specifically for NBC defence and have been introduced into the armed forces. The vehicle would cost the Indian defence establishment a fourth of that of the imported varieties, saving the country's precious foreign exchange.

 

[RPK]

domain-b.com : India's missile programme: A summary

Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV)/ Avatar (Rebirth)
AvatarAn eight-meter technology demonstrator is being built by the Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad and is due to be tested sometime in the coming months. The demonstrator vehicle, being developed in cooperation with Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI), will be powered by a "Scramjet" engine that takes in oxygen from the atmosphere and burns liquid hydrogen.

The hypersonic prototype will apparently be a precursor to DRDO's Aerobic Vehicle for Hypersonic Aerospace Transportation (AVATAR).

According to senior DRDO officials, the primary function of the vehicle is to act as a "reusable missile launcher, one which can launch missiles, land ... and be loaded again for more missions."

The proposed AVATAR will be able to take off and land like an aircraft and will also be capable of placing a payload of 1,000kg in low-earth orbit.

AVATAR would take off horizontally like conventional airplanes from conventional airstrips using turbo-ramjet engines that burn air and hydrogen. Once at a cruising altitude, the vehicle would use scramjet propulsion to accelerate from Mach 4 to Mach 8.

In this hypersonic cruise phase, an on-board system will collect air from which liquid oxygen will be separated. The liquid oxygen collected then would be used in the final flight phase, when the rocket engine burns the collected liquid oxygen and the carried hydrogen to attain orbit.

Re-usable Launch Vehicle The vehicle will be designed to permit at least a hundred re-entries into the atmosphere.

The non-military version, a Re-usable Launch Vehicle (RLV), is similar in concept and has the Indian Space Research Organisation as the lead development agency.