Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

[RPK]

DRDO displays its research might

Sakaal Times

PUNE: In an attempt to demonstrate its research achievements, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) organised an exhibition on Sunday as part of Karavaan 2010, the annual cultural-technical fest of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER).



DRDO labs, Research and Development Establishment, RDE (Engineers) at Dighi, Pune and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), displayed their various products at the exhibition. Daksh, a remotely operated robotic vehicle used for detection and destruction of hazardous objects, was the eye-catcher at the event.



Various bridging systems developed by RDE, that are used by armed forces for movement in inaccessible areas, were displayed with the help of their prototypes. A mat ground surfacing equipment used for vehicle movement in marshy land was also on display. A multi-span bridging system, Sarvatra, which can expand into a 75 metre-long bridge that can bear weight of several tanks was also part of the showcase.



As a part of HEMRL stable, various ammunitions and Advanced Demolition Devices (ADDs) were displayed. An explosive detection kit, which can detect presence of various explosives including RDX, Black Powder and Nitrate based explosives, was on display.



Another important ammunition on display was '84 mm Incendiary Ammunition' which is launched. “When fired at hard wall surfaces even those of metal, the ammunition with 1800 C output temperature, the wall melts or gets destroyed. It then releases a poisonous gas, phosphorous pentoxide and forces enemy soldiers to come out if the enclosure,” explained A G Nagarkar, scientist with HEMRL .



POWER PLAY

Molecule of a high energy explosive CL-20 was on display at the exhibition. A team headed by Dr AK Sikder, Joint Director, HEMRL, has worked on methods of mass production this material, which is 25 per cent more powerful than conventional RDX (Research Department Explosive) and HMX.

 

[RPK]

Agni II set for 3rd trial

BALASORE: After two failures and problems rectified, the nuclear-capable intermediate range surface-to-surface missile Agni-II

is all set for a takeoff from the Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast on May 17. The flight test would be conducted by a team of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) while the DRDO scientists would provide the logistic support, sources said.

This year, India has already tested 3,500-km range Agni-III in February and 700-km range Agni-I in March.

``This will be a user trial of Agni-II and it has been scheduled to be carried out on May 17. After the twin failures, the test will be conducted to reestablish the confidence among the user (Army) and confirm the missile’s readiness,” said a defence official at

the Integrated Test Range. On November 23 last year, the Army had tested Agni-II at about 7.50 pm. For the first time, a missile was tested after sunset, but it failed to deliver results.

Agni-II can neutralise a target at over 2,000 km range. It can carry a payload of around 1,000 kg and its range can be increased to 3,000 km depending on the payload. The missile will be used by 555 Missile Group of the Army. The two consecutive trials of the 2,000 km-plus range missile failed due to snags in the second stage separation, sources added. The DRDO drew flak and the defence analysts raised concern about its deployment during war. However, the DRDO denied any design problem in the missile and rather

pointed finger at the quality of the material used in the missile for its failure.

A fact-finding committee, headed by G Madhavan Nair, former chairman of ISRO, was formed to go into the reasons behind the missile’s recurring failure. “The problem has been fixed and rectified too. Hope this time the mission would be successful,” said the official.

 

[RPK]

 

[RPK]

 

[FlyingSpagetti]

DRDO should take private sector help, i.e Private partnership rather than FDI!

 

[RPK]

Tank Buy, Missile Test Boost Indian DRDO | AVIATION WEEK

BENGALURU, India — The Indian army’s decision to order 124 additional Arjun main battle tanks and the successful launch of the nuclear-capable Agni-II ballistic missile by Strategic Forces Command (SFC) is seen as a shot in the arm for the country’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony, a staunch campaigner for indigenous military programs, said that the army’s decision to induct more Arjuns was its own, and signals that the tank is finally “coming of age.”

Senior officials at DRDO headquarters reacted cautiously to the news. With a series of changes waiting in the wings following the recent restructuring of DRDO (Aerospace DAILY, May 14), most of the DRDO think tanks are adopting a wait-and-see approach.

“Getting additional orders [for] Arjun is definitely a step that will boost the morale of DRDO, considering what we had [been] through over the years,” an official says. “We were sure after the comparative trials that some orders [would] come through.”

When asked whether DRDO was disappointed with the number of tanks ordered, which was less than some had expected, the official says: “Let’s wait and see. The product will speak for itself.”

The Arjun project was sanctioned in 1974, and following many internal battles the program finally bagged an initial order for 124 tanks in 2000. The army had problems with the tank’s weight and fire control system, and critics were quick to write off the machine. However, DRDO’s persistence paid off despite the media onslaught and an upset user.

The comparative trials in March against Russian T-90S tanks were the last hope for DRDO on the program; the machine emerged victorious after some extreme desert trials. “Arjun outperformed the Russian tank in almost all departments and finally [the army] was convinced [of] the worth of the Indian tank,” a source says.

Though DRDO was pitching three to four times more than the current order, it is pleased with what it got. “This is the best of a bad deal after so many trials and modifications,” former DRDO Chief Advisor K.G. Narayanan tells AVIATION WEEK. “With the current order, the total Arjun MBTs would go up to 248. The order could have been more, maybe 500-plus, but then it is a good sign that an Indian machine has finally proved its battleworthiness.”

Each Arjun costs around Rs 16 crore ($3.6 million), and DRDO is confident that the cost will come down if orders increase. “In production parlance, more orders means less cost and we are confident that it’s a matter of time before we get further orders,” a source says.

The government’s announcement of a next-generation Mark-II version of the Arjun has further boosted morale at DRDO. “After many years of trials, it has now proved its worth by its superb performance under various circumstances, such as driving cross country over rugged sand dunes, detecting, observing and quickly engaging targets and accurately hitting stationary and moving targets,” a defense ministry spokesperson says.

In addition to Arjun, “we hope DRDO’s critics would sit down and take stock of the success of our missile programs,” sources say. “The recent Agni-2 [test] was a perfect, textbook launch and it was part of [a] user training mission. The missile was tested for its full range [2,000 km.] and the 660-second flight matched all that we wanted.” The previous two launches of the missile were a failure.

“In a span of just five months, the SFC had successfully launched Agni-I (700-km.-range), Agni-II and Agni-III [3,500-km.-range] and [do not] forget the vertical launch of [the] BrahMos missile, this March,” sources add.

 

[Kinetic]

DRDO works on biotechnology to nanotechnology, advanced microprocessor to supercomputer, ICBM to anti-tank missile, nuclear submarine to infantry combat vehicle, fifth generation fighter to military satellite, anti-ballistic missile to hypersonic cruise missile, high altitude vegetables to anti-mosquito spray!!!!

I think they should more concentrate on strategic areas and build new labs for dedicated nanotechnology and biotechnology research rather than developing water filter or anti-mosquito spray. They should left all these low tech products to private industries.

 

[shaktiman2010]

DRDO works on biotechnology to nanotechnology, advanced microprocessor to supercomputer, ICBM to anti-tank missile, nuclear submarine to infantry combat vehicle, fifth generation fighter to military satellite, anti-ballistic missile to hypersonic cruise missile, high altitude vegetables to anti-mosquito spray!!!!

I think they should more concentrate on strategic areas and build new labs for dedicated nanotechnology and biotechnology research rather than developing water filter or anti-mosquito spray. They should left all these low tech products to private industries.

And, how you expect DRDO to do that, if Indian army is not even willing to fund home-made products? And, when IAF tried everything to delay LCA project by 20 years?

Indian Arjun MBT beats Russian T-90 in trials and how many Arjun(built according to Army's specs) are ordered by Army? Just 125.

This is how it works.

And, those who supply third-class parts(faulty British AJT planes) are given a free pass.

Problem is not lack of brains or talent. Problem is, noone in IAF or Army is willing to fund in big way any ambitious project like AESA, Phalcon or anything on big scale.

Proof of this self-hating attitude is LCA and MBT history.

Simple truth is that IAF and Indian army is happy with imports like they were since last 50 years and they don't want to change that. That's a reality.

 

[RPK]

Sharpshooting just got easier


A holography technology company based at Technopark here has bagged the gold medal at the India Innovation Growth Programme (IIGP) for its technology innovation which could revolutionise the concept of sharpshooting.

The award was presented by Minister for Science & Technology Prithviraj Chavan in New Delhi last week at the culmination of the programme which was jointly organised by the Department of Science and Technology and Lockheed Martin USA.

According to Dr P T Ajithkumar, president and lead scientist of Light Logics, the conventional red dot sights and laser sights which were being used now had a very limited field of view because of its tubular vision.

The “Next generation Holographic Weapon Sight’’ developed by the company enabled sharpshooting in a “tactical engagement area’’. The hologram when illuminated with a laser beam produced a distant virtual image of a tiny spot covered by a circle. “The soldier looks through the ‘Sight’ fixed on the gun and uses this image to easily aim the target,’’ he said.
Ajithkumar said that the new technology was tested by DRDO and optimisation was done for two years. “The field level testing was jointly done by DRDO and Indian Army and the results were successful. The new ‘Sight’ was an innovation on this and claims to have advanced features including 100 per cent diffraction efficiency and better battery life.
The IIGP sifted through 500 innovative ideas from across the country and shortlisted them after six months of scrutiny. The commercial feasibility of the technologies was also conducted by the IC2 Institute, University of Texas in association with FICCI.
Ajithkumar said his technology owed its success to the technology business incubator (TBI) facility at Technopark.

 

[RPK]

The Hindu : Health / Medicine & Research : Anna University-Chennai may become hub for healthcare instrumentation

Anna University, Chennai, may become the National Hub for Healthcare Instrumentation with Rs.15 crore funding from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). A formal letter is expected within a couple of weeks, vice-chancellor P. Mannar Jawahar said.

Dr. Jawahar said a team from DRDO had visited the campus last week to assess the facilities and hold talks with university authorities and professors. The team had been positive in its appraisal of the University facilities and formal approval from DRDO was expected soon, he said.

“Our students recently won an award from Texas Instruments Analog Design Contest for developing a low cost video bronchoscope. We have all the facilities required to undertake cutting-edge research,” Dr. Jawahar said.

With a thriving healthcare industry in the State, the hub, when it becomes functional, will also provide a platform for industry-academia collaboration, he said.

The healthcare industry sector can undertake specific research projects using the expertise of the professors and the students. “We can get into tie-ups with healthcare providers and instrumentation developers,” he added.

As part of the project, the vice-chancellor has constituted a committee of professors from various departments including Electronics, Instrumentation and Biotechnology.

“We are also planning to start a new Department of Applied Sciences and Technology. We are waiting for DRDO's approval and other formalities. Once these are completed, the committee will co-ordinate the process,” Dr. Jawahar said.

 

[RPK]

Dr Shashi Bala Singh receives DRDO award for high altitude research - Oneindia News

jammu, June 1 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, conferred the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Scientist of the year award to eminent woman scientist and Director of the Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), Leh, Ladakh, Dr Shashi Bala Singh.

Buzz up!
Dr Singh in the presence of Defence Minister A K Antony and DRDO Director V.K. Saraswat conferred the award upon her at the DRDO Bhawan on May 26.


Dr Shashi Bala Singh has immensely contributed to the understanding of high altitude physiology and pioneered the development of nutraceuticals and prophylactics for several high altitude maladies that include hypophagia and cognitive impairment.

Having taken over as Director, DIHAR from 2007, she has taken the institute to new heights by not only improving the agro-animal research standards in the lab, but also augmenting the 'laboratory to field' research through training programmes for local farmers on the technologies developed by DIHAR.

These efforts have led to a synergy and harmony between the troops stationed in the Ladakh sector and the local population thus contributing to internal security of the region.

Besides that she has pioneered research on non-conventional energy sources, permafrost based germplasm conservation, climate change mitigation and development of herbal interventions for improving performance at high altitude.

In recognition of these multidimensional research efforts that have shown the monotonous, white, uninhabitable and barren mountainous terrains of Ladakh the colors of green and the light of hope, DIHAR, under the leadership of Dr Shashi Bala Singh has received the, Technology Spin off award in 2008, Titanium Trophy in 2009 and The Innovation of India Award-2010. (ANI)

 

[RPK]

 

[RPK]

---------- Post added at 10:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:24 PM ----------

 

[RPK]

New missile interceptor test in end June: DRDO chief: India Today - Latest Breaking News from India, World, Business, Cricket, Sports, Bollywood.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) would be testing a new missile interceptor in Balasore by the end of this month, DRDO chief Dr VK Saraswat told India Today. "We will have a test in end June or early July and are calling this new missile the PDV and it will have two solid stages," Dr Saraswat said. He revealed that the DRDO would begin ground-testing of AD-1 next year, a missile meant to shoot down intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

The DRDO-developed missile shield uses a system of long range radars and long-range missiles to shoot down incoming enemy missiles. The system has been tested successfully three times since December 2006. A fourth test in March this year was a failure. For the test planned in June, the DRDO now plans to replace the PAD-1 or the exo-atmospheric interceptor which has two stages, one liquid and one solid besides a 'kill vehicle' which destroys the enemy missile. It will be tested against an 'enemy' missile 100 km away.

title=
An AAD missile being test fired from Wheeler Island
The PDV is a modified version of stage 1 missile interceptors which can shoot down intermediate range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) of upto 2,000 km range like Pakistan's Ghauri and Shaheen missiles. "The PDV will be the mainstay of the defence shield," Dr Saraswat said.

DRDO officials say this system will be the backbone of the missile defence shield until Phase 2 missiles are fully deployed. Phase 1 of the system is to be completed and ready for induction by next year.

Dr Saraswat said that the AD-1 and AD-2, extended range missiles meant to shoot down ICBMs, were on the drawing board and would be fielded by around 2012 under Phase 2 of the missile shield. "Ground testing of the AD-1 will begin next year and the AD-1 missile will be test-fired in 2012," Saraswat said. These would be capable of shooting down missiles which have ranges greater than 5,000 km. Phase 2 is far more challenging because it calls for detecting ICBMs hurtling at twice the speeds of intermediate range missiles. It not only requires bigger interceptor missiles flying at hypersonic speeds of between six and seven times the speed of sound (present missile interceptor speeds are between Mach 4 and Mach 5) but also radars to detect incoming ICBMs at ranges of over 1,500 km as opposed to the current detection ranges of over 600 km.

Phase 2 will be part of the DRDO's attempts at incrementally increasing the BMD capabilities of the home-grown system. The system has been successfully test-fired three times since December 2006-the first test shot of the exo-atmospheric interceptor downed a missile 45 km away; the second test a year later proved the endo-atmospheric or Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor which shot down an incoming ballistic missile 15 km away. A third test in March 2009 shot down a ballistic missile 48 km away. The interceptor used a 'gimbaled directional warhead' or a warhead only one side of which explodes close to an incoming ballistic missile, shattering it.

The DRDO has put into place the building blocks for developing extended range radars of over 1,500 km. The Phase 2 missiles will be in the class of the THAAD or Terminal High Altitude Area Defence missiles deployed by the United States as part of its missile shield beginning this year. THAAD missiles can intercept ballistic missiles over 200 km away and track radars with ranges of over 1,000 km.

 

[RPK]

Biodefenses showcased in India | Bio Prep Watch

Biological and chemical defense methods were showcased at the recently held Bangalore India Bio 2010, Bangaloremirror.com reports.

Among the technologies showcased were protective suits for medical responder made of waterproof polyester. The suits, designed for rescue operations in biological or chemical warfare emergencies, are impervious to rain, sleet and snow. The suit also contains a mask with a particulate aerosol filter to provide contamination free air.

The color-coded suits come in white for medical personnel, orange for radiation safety officers and navy blue for team leaders.

A ricin test kit was also displayed at the event. Liquid within the test kit changes colors to indicate the presence of ricin.

Several antidotes for powerful poisons were also part of the conference, including a powder that can be placed on the skin to prevent blisters from chemical warfare, an injectable antidote for nerve agent poison that is administered every five minutes until a patient returns to normal and a cyanide antidote.

The products were developed by the Bangalore-based Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory, which works under the Life Sciences Directorate of DRDO. DEBEL is charged with researching and developing technologies and products for life support, medical and physiological protection systems for the Indian Armed forces.