IDN TAKE: DRDO HAS BEEN A WINNER ALL THE WAY IN 2016

[Zarvan]

DRDO stands for a phenomenal saga of self-reliance in defense technologies in India, overcoming the challenges of a denial regime and coming out with many cutting-edge, cost-effective technologies.

DRDO, over the years, has been progressively evolving new systems, variants and upgrades in the fields of guided missiles, fighter aircraft, armament engineering, combat vehicles, naval systems, and surveillance systems. These progressive additions to military capability will definitely have a positive and upward impact on the nation’s defense preparedness. Except for the disappointing Nirbhay failures the notable achievements among the recent additions to the military systems are the following:

Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)
An indigenous howitzer, a 155 mm x 52 caliber artillery gun, has a firing range of 40 kilometers with advanced features like the capability to fire six rounds in just 30 seconds. This is jointly developed with private companies like M/s.Bharat Forge and M/s.TATA Strategic Electronics Division (SED). All these efforts shall result into significant enhancement of self reliance in this critical area of tactical requirements of the Armed Services. The ATAG accomplished with new ammunition being developed will offer increase in range, accuracy and lethality as compared to existing Guns.

Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher, Pinaka Mk-3 MBRL
Pinaka Mk-3 MBRL has a range of 60-80 km with a CEP of 100 meters Airborne Early Warning & DRDO equipped to face technology challenges of future.

Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system is an indigenous weapon system designed and developed by DRDO and produced in collaboration with L&T and TATA Power SED in India.

DRDO tested a new version of the rockets which can be guided to land bang on enemy targets. It can be used to carry out surgical strikes even without crossing the border.It will also help in reducing the weapon system requirements for the Army. It can also help reduce requirements for imported Russian Smerch long range rocket systems.

Control System, AEW&C
The Airborne Early Warning & Control system, AEW&C India, is getting ready for induction into operational service shortly. At a price of US $ 120 million, the AEW&C India costs less than half of its foreign equivalent.

Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) for Kalvari-class Submarines
AIP system for the last two Kalvari-class submarines for the Indian Navy has been developed by DRDO and is getting ready for testing. The indigenous AIP gives the vessel an Endurance of 10-15 days.

Akash Weapon System
Two regiments of Akash Army Version have been raised by Indian Army since 2015. Similarly for IAF. Presently Akash NG is under design and development.

AGNI-V & AGNI-IV Series of Missiles
Long range ballistic missile Agni-V was yet again successfully test-fired from Abdul Kalam Island, off the Odisha coast, signalling the coming of age of the country in the nuclear deterrence program. This is the fourth success in a row of Agni-V, which can carry a nuclear warhead weighing 1.5 tonnes over a distance of more than 5,000 km.

The previous successful missions were executed on April 19, 2012, September 15, 2013 and January 31, 2015.

The successful test-firing will pave the way for user trial of the most potent Indian missile and its eventual induction into the special forces command.

The New Year 2017 began on a happy note for the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) and the DRDO with the flight-testing of India’s long-range, strategic ballistic missile, Agni-IV, turning out to be a “grand success”.

TEJAS Combat Jet
With a lot of fanfare, the indigenously developed LCA Tejas was inducted into the IAF, forming the Flying Daggers squadron.

Only five countries in the World have the technology for the 4+ generation fighter of the LCA Tejas class. The Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved procurement of 83 LCA Mk-1A Rs at a cost of Rs 48,000 Crores for the IAF. Tejas Mk 2 with a more powerful engine, improved aerodynamics and additional features.

ADA is pursuing work on the LCA AF Mk-II, LCA N Mk-II and an Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). DRDO mission mode projects are showcased as the pivot for the Make in India program.

Emphasis On Private Defense Industry Development

DRDO has helped develop a vast ecosystem for the defense industry in the country, and created better prospects for the MSMEs. A perception to, ‘Create & Make in India’, is steadily gaining ground. DRDO is employing over 500 Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises besides large companies and PSUs in its projects. ‘In principle’ sanction has been obtained. A lead in project is initiated to arrive at the critical path.

DRDO has taken new initiatives to promote defense innovations in private industries, particularly MSMEs. DRDO’s Technology Development Fund (TDF) initiated in September 2016 is aimed at encouraging research through private industries and to hand-hold them in high-risk development tasks. Under this scheme, the industries will be involved in development activities in high-end technical areas to accelerate the production process without any burden of R&D cost. Industries can get advance of funds up to Rs. 10 Crores to meet their project requirements.

DRDO has also opened up existing R&D infrastructure in its laboratories to private sector industries for utilization at a nominal cost to them. These measures are bound to encourage and enhance R&D activities in private industries.

LR-SAM
LR-SAM is an Advanced air and missile defense system to be used in all weather conditions and deal with simultaneous threat engagement. LR-SAM provides ultimate protection against a variety of aerial platforms in both Land and Naval Scenarios. Trials have already been conducted on Land-based variant under development known as MR-SAM for Indian Air Force and Indian Army. DRDO has developed a truck-based Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) for the missile system.

LR-SAM can be used as point defense missile system (PDMS) and also as long-range anti-missile and air defense system, which has very short reaction time and fast missile launch capability with 360-degree coverage against any incoming threat in the range of 70 km.
LR-SAM backed by State-of-the-Art phased array multi-mission radar along with two-way data link and flexible command and control system can provide protection against a variety of aerial platforms and munitions including sea-skimming missiles.

RUSTOM-2
Rustom-2, the Medium Altitude Long Endurance UAV, has had its first Design Validation Flight successfully marking a significant milestone in its development. The UAV flew for 10 minutes at 1,100 ft AGL and met all expectations during the first flight.

Equipped with contemporary technology, the UAV will need a runway to take-off and land unlike traditional UAVs, which makes it more trustworthy. It will also have automatic takeoff and landing capabilities. Rustom-II will have an enhanced aerodynamic configuration, digital flight system controls and navigation system.

Heavy Drop System, and Controlled Aerial Delivery System
ADRDE of DRDO has developed various types of Heavy Drop Systems (HDS) for transport aircraft AN-32 and IL-76. HDS for AN-32 for stores of 3-tonne weight class and P-7 HDS for IL-76 for stores of 7-tonne weight class have already been inducted into Indian Army.

The HDS for AN-32 is under production at OFB. P-7 HDS is under production both at OFB & M/s L&T, Mumbai. Naval versions of AN-32 HDS & IL-76 P-7 HDS have also been successfully developed and inducted into Indian Navy.

Advance Light Towed Array Sonar (ALTAS)
Advance Light Towed Array Sonar (ALTAS) is state-of-the-art efficient sensing system for detection, localisation and classification of submarines operating in the below sonic layer. It is useful in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations and is the apt senor for warships to locate silent submarines capable of launching high speed torpedoes.

Six technical trials were completed successfully during 2015-16 period. Performance of ALTAS is satisfactory.

Hull Mounted Sonar Advanced (HUMSA)
Upgrade System HUMSA Upgrade Sonar has many advanced features in signal acquisition, processing, analysis and display formats. It can detect more targets simultaneously and can identify them than the previous version. The total hardware is based on latest architecture and the number of cabinets has come down from the previous nine to just two and a half.
The system comes with advanced features where signatures of many targets can be fault finding mechanism where even the cable fault also is displayed. The system can be saved and can be displayed immediately when such targets are detected. The system is integrated with many auxiliary systems like Underwater Communication, Sea Profiling Unit, Radar and many Fire Control Systems. This Sonar can identify and track Torpedoes fired from other vessels.

Portable Diver Detection Sonar (PDDS)
Portable Diver Detection Sonar is used to detect divers and diver delivery vehicles and protect ships at anchor and harbours, and water-side assets. Five PDDS systems are to be developed. A prototype of the PDDS has been developed and tested in the field with satisfactory results.

New Generation Anti-Radiation Missile (NGARM)
As part of development of NGARM, two flight trials have been completed as on date. Captive Flight Trials (Phase I) have been conducted during April 16-21, 2016 at Air Force Station, Pune, with the objective of proving mechanical integration aspects of the missile to SU-30MkI for the carriage envelop conditions. Strain, temperature, and vibration data were measured at all critical locations on the missile, while the aircraft was performing various maneuvers. The post flight data analysis has shown that all the structural design parameters were within the predicted bounds and based on the results, NGARM is cleared for carriage conditions at station 8 on Su-30MKI.

Drop Flight Trial of NGARM from Su-30 was conducted during December 15-19, 2016 at 5 Wg AF Station, Kalaikunda with the objective of demonstrating separation characteristics of NGARM when released from the aircraft. The missile was released from station 8 of the aircraft at Mach number 0.8 and altitude 6.5 km. During the flight trial, high speed recording of the separation was carried out along with measurement of the missile rates and acceleration using a sensor package unit. Both the video data and the sensor data indicate safe separation of NGARM from the aircraft.

Smart Anti Air Field Weapon (SAAW)

Designed and developed in the country, the 120-kg class smart anti-airfield weapon is used to destroy runways, bunkers, aircraft hangers and other reinforced structures. Its long standoff range of 100 km will allow the IAF to hit adversary airfields with high precision from a safe distance.

The lightweight high-precision guided bomb is one of the world class weapons systems.
In May 2016, the DRDO conducted the first test on the weapon system from the IAF Jaguar DARIN-II aircraft in Bangalore. The trial mode mounting of the SAAW on Jaguar DARIN-II aircraft is manufactured by HAL.

Bullet Proof Jacket (BPJ)
The materials and material solutions for BPJs are advanced and challenging to develop. The first generation all steel-armor, ‘Jackal’ of DMRL/Midhani, Hyderabad, has gradually given way to bi-modular structures: ‘Steel + Polymer’, 'Ceramic (Alumina / ZTA) + Steel’, ‘Ceramic + Polymer (Kevlar / UHMWPE)’, and the latest multi-modular composite (Kevlar/UHMWPE) with appropriate and mostly proprietary Adhesives. The high performance materials – such as, B4C Powders, other reinforcing materials {Chopped SiC, Nano materials (CNT, Nano Clay, Powders of B, Alumina, Sic etc) and Graphene / Fullerenes} and advanced Kevlar and UHMWPE grade fabric materials are not available in India; and, all of them are to be imported from a handful of countries having the technology.

Several critical Material Technologies for the BPJ development, viz., Reaction Bonding (with proprietary Sintering Aids), Compression Moulding, Hot Pressing, CIP+HIP, Dissimilar Materials Joining, original Interface Design and newer Configuration Design have been established through DOE.

Thermobaric Ammunition
Penetration Cum Blast & Thermobaric (PCB & TB) has progressed satisfactorily. Recently very encouraging results are obtained during trials of these systems and ammunition. The major thrust given in this cluster is to enhance the production base in the country with participation of Indian Private Industries along with Indian Ordnance Factories (IOFs) & Defense Public Sector Undertakings.

The technology for 120 mm PCB & TB ammunition has been established by DRDO. Incorporation of these ammunition to MBT ARJUN will lead in improving lethality and kill probability. The technologies involved in the ammunition for ATAG & 120 mm PCB & TB involve the thrust areas like propellant, materials, manufacturing and system integration.
Since DRDO got into doing larger programs like the IGMDP, It has now become an accepted norm that every R&D program for developing a defense system will simultaneously generate relevant advanced technologies as well as raise essential R&D infrastructure in the country. It has now become perceptible that the practice has, over the period, paid off. The indigenous systems have come to be recognized as world-class and their export potential is on an upward trend. The Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Pinaka MBRL, AEW&C India, LCA Tejas, Akash Missile, BrahMos Cruise Missile, Sonars, Underwater Acoustic Communication system, Torpedoes, and BFS Radar are good examples proving the point. The armed forces feel assured that DRDO is equipped to face technology challenges of the future. (Sourced from AMA)
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[livingdead]

its so surreal, as if we are living in a communist country...