Dillinger
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Dillinger
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2012
- Messages
- 6,103
- Reaction score
- 13
- Country
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@arp2041
Defence Forces Armed with ICT
Anoop Verma, Elets News Network (ENN)
The top new military trend is one that is known for its economy of scale. It consists of systems that are packed with cutting edge innovations from ICT, and are smaller, remote-controlled and brimful of intelligence. This is indeed, a new era. The era of rather small and unmanned drones. The Indian Air Force is currently flying the Israeli-made Searcher II and Heron for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes. About 100 Searchers are in operation on Indian borders in western, northern and eastern regions. According to a senior IAF official, “IAF is ready to induct more drones in view of their capability of using high-technology to perform specific tasks on the borders.”
The ICT technology being used in modern drones has come so far that basic computer knowledge is no longer essential for remotely flying an UAV. In many cases, military personnel are able to control the drones and direct their deadly payload from thousands of miles away by using just a mouse, joystick and ergonomic pad. “ICT is the single most important factor for the success of military operations in air, ground or water. Access to real-time, authentic and secure information is necessary for enabling the military commander to take the most crucial decisions. In net-centric world, commanders at all levels must be integrated through ICT so that they can have a common picture of the operation being carried out,” says Major General R C Padhi.
Drones – hi-tech and deadly
A wide array of drones are being manufactured by the Israeli defence establishment, including one of world’s largest and most technologically advanced drones, the Heron TP Eitan, which costs an estimated $35 million. With a wingspan of 26 meters (85 ft.), the Heron TP Eitan is of the size of a Boeing 737 passenger jet and can reach an altitude of 12,000 meters. But the biggest manufacturer and user of high-tech drones is the United States. A recently released Congressional report states that drones now account for more than 31 percent of all military craft in USA. This means that one in three aircrafts in USA are drones. We can only imagine the kind of cutting edge ICT that goes into these drones. The technology is a classified secret.
Equipped with sensors and micro-cameras to detect enemies, nuclear weapons or victims in rubble, these remotely piloted drones are capable of transmitting live video, audio and other data from hostile territory in all kinds of weather conditions, they are also capable shooting at targets with flawless accuracy. Military technicians sitting in the other side of the world can control the Predator drones by using a computer and a joystick. Only two miles from the cow pasture in Ohio, where the Wright Brothers learned to fly, there is the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. There researchers are working at a project on miniature unmanned drones, which are of the size of insects and birds, but are capable of spying and even firing missiles from air.
These miniature drones are inspired by nature, in the sense that they replicate the flight mechanics of different insects and birds. Some of the drones even look like the inhabitants of the natural world. For good reason, the base’s indoor flight lab is called “micro-aviary.” The micro-aviary is equipped with 60 motion-capture cameras to track every movement made by the tiny robots. The drones themselves are programmed by a computer to fly and they can execute all kinds of acrobatics in the air.
ICT for security & surveillance
P J Nath
CEO, Nelco Ltd. spoke to eGov on the role that Nelco, a TATA Group company, is playing in Indian defence sector
Give us an overview of the role that Nelco is playing in the defence sector.
Nelco serves the Indian defence sector in key areas of integrated security and surveillance, and in satellite communication. Nelco started with providing Multi Sensor Intruder Detector Systems, including High Voltage Electric fencing, along with intrusion detection system, covering a length of 160 Kms, along the North West Indian border. We are now looking at providing next generation solutions in fencing, which includes non-intrusive infrared and unattended ground sensors (UGS) that send alerts to computerised command control systems for advance detection of intrusion even before the fence.
Tells us about your perimeter security and surveillance solutions.
We have also implemented high tech ICT project involving Integrated Perimeter Security, CCTV Surveillance and Access monitoring & Fire alarm systems for DGOS. The project involved 5 locations spanning across three states. This integrated supply of 17 different systems has connectivity on a single OFC (optic fibre cabling) network for monitoring and centralised Command & Control centre. Our engineering teams have now gained strong expertise in implementing C3i & C4i (Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) projects over the last decade.
Tell us about the work that you are doing in the satellite communications solutions sector.
Nelco acted as an implementation partner in Satcom projects in 2010, which provides satellite based connectivity to 179 Indian Air Force user establishments. The company has also handled niche projects like implementation of Integrated Weather Monitoring Systems at Air Force Base Stations and Integration of high power Electronics Warfare (EW) equipment into EMI shelters & mobile platforms for one of our OEM partners.
What are your plans for the future?
We continue to pursue specific niche areas in high tech perimeter security systems, mobile VSAT communication systems (COTM) and computerised command control systems. We also make efforts in educating our defence agencies in the art of applying latest ICT technologies.
The rapid miniaturization of the aerial drones due to new advancements in IT technologies is transforming the way we address our security related concerns and fight wars. Presently we are having drones that can loiter in the sky for more than 24 hours and provide real-time all-weather surveillance and reconnaissance over entire cities. The California based AeroVironment Inc. had unveiled the hummingbird drone in February this year. This drone can fly at 11 miles per hour; it can hover and perch on a windowsill. However, the bird is still a prototype. Mostly operators use radio-controlled devices to control such small drones. But newer systems are being developed that can be controlled through commands send by tablet computers.
It has been in the reports that India is developing solar-powered spy drones, which can cruise in the sky for several days at a time. Once they become operation these high-altitude, long endurance (HALE) solar-powered UAV will provide a cost-effective and flexible 24×7 ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance) platform. These HALE drones can easily be compared to a satellite that orbits closer to the ground. “Solar efficiency is low but we are looking at a payload of around 50 kg (sensors, cameras etc). We will seek some collaboration from either US or European companies,” says Dr Prahlada, DRDO’s chief controller R&D (aeronautics).
Major General R C Padhi
Additional Surveyor General
Surveyor General’s Office
“The country must start focussing on having indigenous war equipments. Import of weapons is an expensive proposition. At times it is difficult to manage the upgrades of high technology imported systems”
Last year the Cabinet Committee on Security cleared an Rs 1,500 crore DRDO project to develop the Rustom-H MALE (medium-altitude, long-endurance) drone. Being developed for the three services, Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force, the Rustom is capable of operating for 24 hours with a 350 kg payload. Its first flight is expected to take place in 2013. Once it becomes operational, the Rustom will replace or supplement the Heron UAVs, which are currently in service with the Indian Air Force. Then there is the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) called DRDO Nishant, which is meant to carry electro-optical, electronic intelligence and communication intelligence payloads. Nishant has already been developed and is currently undergoing field-testing. Once it becomes operation, Nishant will be used for intelligence gathering over enemy territory and also for recon, training, surveillance, target designation, artillery fire correction and damage assessment.
Ground based defence and offence
Recently NIIT Technologies Ltd. implemented ‘Intranet Prahari Project’ for Border Security Force (BSF) personnel. This project enables BSF personnel in 237 locations to access their personal data from wherever they are posted. Under this project state-of-the-art data centres have been established; the Main Data Centre; a Disaster Recovery Data Centre (in a different seismic zone) and Mini Data Centres at Frontier HQrs for data storage. Sufficient cyber security measures to ensure network security and to prevent data loss or pilferage have been incorporated. Network connectivity has been extended to brigade level.
Regarding the safety features installed in the Data Centres built for the Intranet Prahari Project, Venkat Patnaik says, “The systems are based in structures with state of the art Building Management System including fire alarm and extinguishing capability. There are CCTV cameras, bio-metric access control, Intrusion Prevention System, multiple firewalls, Central Anti-Virus deployment. Additionally there is MAC based authentication of desktops/laptops connecting into the network. Also there is closed network with no internet browsing/ external email.”
KPM Das, Vice President, National Security and Defence, Cisco Systems says :-
“Convergence is here and now- networks carry voice, video and data with equal assurance. Combat signalers design, and build tactical networks to enable mobility – the network components are on the move, so are the platforms like battle tanks and ICVs and so are the soldiers with tablets and hand-held devices. This three-fold challenge is met by engineering architectures based on IP and use of protocols which are hardened for the battlefield conditions of impairment and disruption. Corps of Signals, around the world, has to be a step ahead of the general staff and commanders in ensuring that paradigms stay current and enable tactical-doctrinal shifts.”
Surely the evidence of cutting edge ICT is not confined only to aerial tools. Even the ground-based systems are incorporated with the best from the world of ICT. Platforms for conducting land-based battles, the heavy battle tank (MBT), infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), tactical vehicle, etc. are carry all kinds of hardware and software to enable night vision, navigation in all kinds of terrain, communication, remote sensing and accurately aiming at distant targets. In water we have ships such as patrol craft, corvette, frigate, destroyer, multi-purposes support ship, and aircraft carrier. The radars that are used by military for detecting intrusions on land, sea and air are basically software based devices.
Lt Gen AKS Chandele, PVSM, AVSM (Retd), Former Director General EME, says :-
“Effective utilisation of the electromagnetic spectrum and denial of the same to the adversary would be the centre of gravity in future warfare. Along with other cyber security measures, cyber warfare will include ICT based early warning systems for real time detection of enemy’s intrusions and their neutralization.”
Venkat Patnaik
Senior Vice President & Head India Govt.
Business, NIIT Technologies
“Intranet Prahari Project will bring a culture of electronic exchange of information through emails, e-notesheets, etc. It will reduce workload of paperwork and free up manpower for field operations”
All modern militaries make use of some kind of Battlefield Management System (BMS), which is the software that lets top military leaders plan their strategies. Sections, platoons, companies, regiments, brigades, divisions, as well as corps make use of communication technology that is in some cases far more advanced than what is available for civilian use. The telecommunications equipment and the electronic countermeasures equipment are again software-based tools. These tools are used to develop seamless linkages between sensors, weapon systems, commanders and their personnel in a networked environment. The power and the efficiency of the force is enhanced, as networking leads to new cohesion between maritime, land, aerospace and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) domains.
Lt Gen AKS Chandele
PVSM, AVSM (Retd),
Former Director General EME
“We are in the Information Age and the future combat space will be the electronic battlefield. Information dominance over the adversary is of critical importance”
Lt Gen AKS Chandele adds, “Battlefield management is becoming network centric, with sensors, shooters and command and control systems being linked. Military relies on ICT to coordinate their forces and control their weapon systems. However, the battlefield will always remain people centric, since beyond the network is ultimately the human being.”
The transformation that ICT has made in the field of battle is glaringly obvious. Once the defence forces used to be armed with so called “dumb bombs,” which being bereft of intelligent software were completely incapable of accurately choosing or selecting targets. They could not differentiate between high-value targets and the unimportant ones. So the collateral damage on usage of dumb bombs would be fairly high. With ICT powered weaponry, the defence establishments around the world have a way of ensuring that there is minimum collateral damage. Instead of steel, microchips have started symbolising the new sinews of war.
The defence industry has for many years been producing surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles that can adjust their trajectory while speeding towards an enemy target. While there are remotely controlled missiles and drones in the air, on the ground there are unmanned armoured vehicles. Cutting edge ICT is being used to develop deep sea mines that can identify a ship by analysing the vibration caused by the ship’s hull. This means that the mine will have no difficulty in differentiating between a military and a civilian target. The Ministry of Defence, in India, established Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) in Oct 1986. During the initial years, the research focus of this organisation was in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Control systems. In November 2000, R & D groups working in the areas of Command Control Communication and Intelligence (C3I) systems, Communication and Networking, and Communication Secrecy in Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) were merged with CAIR.
Pratik Chube
Country GM – Products & Marketing,
Emerson Network Power
“Security remains the biggest concern for our online systems. Virtualisation has added extra security capabilities to the data centres, owned by defence departments or civilian sectors, in the form of closer management of virtual systems”
Today CAIR is regarded as the premier laboratory for R&D in different areas in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as applicable to defence. Out of 300 personnel employed in the organisation 150 are well qualified scientists. During more than two decades of its existence, CAIR has developed a number of Information Systems, Communication Systems and Security Solutions. The organisation is also being credited with doing quality R&D work in Intelligent Systems technologies.
Ground based robots
A document from Department of Defence in USA states that by 2030, up to a third of the fighting force in USA would comprise of robots. The Virginia based, Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has started testing a quadruped robot that can traverse all sorts of terrain and act as a pack mule for soldiers. Known as Legged Squad Support System (LS3), this semi-autonomous robot is developed from Boston Dynamic’s Big Dog and Alpha Dog robots. Packed with advanced sensory systems, for vision and sound, the LS3 prototype is fully capable of distinguishing between trees, rocks, soldiers, and other obstacles. The LS3 is still going through a testing phase; ultimately it must be able to carry 400lbs for 20 miles without refuelling within 24 hours. The system can also serve as an auxiliary power source that soldiers can use to recharge batteries for handheld devices. As the LS3 shows, the design of the military robots is not necessarily human-looking. Basically, their design element is based on the kind of tasks that they are expected to perform.
Advanced armies are already using robots that are equipped with radar vision and supersensitive sensors and can handle broader range of tasks, ranging from picking off snipers to serving as indefatigable night sentries. Nothing can escape detection from an unblinking digital eye. The Israeli army has been using robots for assisting troops in combat for tasks such as surveillance, reconnaissance, anti-mine and anti-IED role, urban area combat, casualty extraction etc.
Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) and Long Distance Tele-Operation (LDTO) robots can be controlled through the secure Internet connection or even by cellular signals. They serve the purpose of keeping soldiers out of harm’s way. The CEO of iRobot, Colin Angle, says, “One of the great arguments for armed robots is they don’t panic under fire.” In some quarters fears have been expressed about robots taking over. But Colin Angle finds such fears to be completely unfounded. “There is no question of robots taking over,” Colin Angle says. “People taking robot and sensing technology and incorporating them into their own bodies is much more imminent.”
Dr Gulshan Rai
Director General, Computer Emergency
Response Team – India (CERT-In)
“CERT-In’s mandate includes the collection of information pertaining to cyber incidents, issue vulnerability notes, advisories, white papers and the analysis of those incidents”
ICT is also leading to seminal improvements in the performance of soldiers. Soldiers are equipped with high tech communication equipment and sensors that allows them to keep track of large areas in the battlefield. Even the Internet was first developed with a military objective in mind. The grandfather of today’s Internet, the ARPAnet, came into life in 1969. Funded by the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the United States Department of Defence, the network was initially meant for defence related projects at universities and research laboratories in the USA. ARPA stands for the Advanced Research Projects Agency, which is a branch of the military that developed top-secret systems and weapons during the Cold War.
Finally the Internet evolved out of the ARPAnet and today we are having the Twitter and Facebook revolution. The Internet could only happen because four major innovations happened under the ARPAnet. These were: in 1971, the system of email or electronic mail got developed; in 1972, the telnet, a remote connection service for controlling a computer came into being; in 1973, the file transfer protocol (FTP), which allows information to be sent from one computer to another in bulk, was developed. The ARPAnet is just one example of how military technology has transmogrified into something that has proved to be seminally beneficial for the world. Many other modern tools from ICT that we are using in civilian space today were first developed for military purposes.
Nitin Walia
Director, Xgen Plus
“The threat of cyber terrorism is haunting the world. The Internet of the year 2012 has become so diversified that it now dominates terror circles. These groups will continue to use the internet as a prime medium for recruitment and communication”
“The period of the world wars is replete with examples of technologies being first developed for military and then being put to civilian use as well. Military technology has always been transferred for civilian uses where possible. ARPANET of DARPA morphed into the internet. Composites used in tanks etc. are now used in utensils. Similarly, today’s cutting edge technology such as recognition systems can be used in home security systems in future. Navigation systems in aircraft can give direction to GPS used in civilian fields, including in cars. Such possibilities are endless,” says Lt Gen AKS Chandele, PVSM, AVSM (Retd), Former Director General EME.
Strategies for cyber warfare
“Security of information is non-negotiable. Hardware systems like desktop, laptop, PDA and hand held systems in use have to undergo security checks before it is commissioned for defence related activities. The systems are integrated into secured defence communication network for all types of communication,” says Major General R C Padhi. Defence forces have to pay lot of attention to securing their data. On the issue of using handheld devices in defence forces, General Ajay Chandele says, “ICT services must move to handheld devices from desktops. Security protocols need to be re-worked for the revised environments. There are security protocols for hand held data. If banks can manage confidential data on handhelds/mobiles, there is no reason defence forces can’t. As ICT systems will proliferate, handheld devices are the future. For example, even the F-INSAS (Futuristic Infantry Soldier As a System) will require handheld ICT devices for individual soldiers.”
In the conflicts of 21st century, computer specialists may become central. Cyber warfare is a growing threat and militaries around the world are racing to recruit computer specialists. For military strategists, the idea of cyber warfare is particularly dispiriting. This is the kind of warfare where the enemy has all the tactical advantages. He has the advantage of stealth, of anonymity and of unpredictability. In many cases, the defence establishments find it difficult to pinpoint the nation or area from which the attack has originated. When the location from which the attack has originated is not known, it becomes impossible to develop an effective strategy for deterring further damage by the threat of retaliation. Even if the location becomes known, the targeted nation might not have the legal or moral authority to respond, as it can never be conclusively proved if the cyber attack was a case of vandalism, of commercial theft or an effort to cripple a nation before launching a conventional war.
“The threat of cyber terrorism is something that has been haunting not only India but the rest of the world too. The Internet of the year 2012 has become so diversified that it now dominates terror circles. These groups will continue to use the internet as a prime medium for recruitment and communication. The security agencies have to upgrade their defences to prevent such groups from dominating the web,” Nitin Walia, Director, Xgen Plus Technologies.
DRDO daksh
A creation of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Daksh is an electrically powered and remotely controlled robot used for locating, handling and destroying hazardous objects safely. The primary function of this battery powered remotely controlled robot on wheels is to recover improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The IEDs get located by Daksh’s X-ray vision. Once the target has been identified, the robot picks it up using gripper arm before finally diffusing them with a jet of water. The robot also has a high-calibre shotgun, with which can it can take out targets, or break open locked doors. Its high-calibre sensors can be used to scan cars for explosives.
Daksh can climb staircases, negotiate steep slopes, navigate narrow corridors and tow vehicles.
The advent of the ICT age has given us the new domain of cyberspace and transformed how individuals, businesses and governments interact, but the tools from ICT can also be misused to launch cyber attacks on organisations and even on nations. The Cyberspace essentially comprises of the networks, computers, software, hardware, servers, and other devices including cell phones, tablets, radios, etc. By 2020 there are going to be more than 3 billion net users, maximum growth is expected in India and China. With such a large section of the global population conducting the business of their life in the cyber arena, there is bound to be an increase in vulnerabilities. Few months ago, Google had reported that its services had been targeted in an attack that originated from China. Later on Washington had moved in to classify that attack as an act of war.
‘’The fact of the matter,’’ a senior intelligence official in India says, ‘’is that unless Google had told the world about the attack on it and other companies, we probably never would have seen it. Many such attacks go unreported. Our economy, our government and our civil society is constantly being threatened by those who seek to disrupt the free flow of information. It is really scary.’’ When the Stuxnet worm first made its appearance, the world’s top software-security experts were panicked. This drone-like computer virus was radically different from and far more sophisticated than any that the world had seen. Till today there is not enough clarity about the Stuxnet payload, and the entities that were behind it. But according to some reports the Stuxnet worm appears to have attacked Iran’s nuclear programme. The worm was probably built by an advanced attacker with plentiful resources. The attacker could be a nation-state. The purpose of the Stuxnet was not espionage, it was built for sabotage.
There have been many instances in the past, when sensitive installations in India have come under cyber attack. “Today’s threat landscape has changed and point protection solutions may not be sufficient to secure from these complex attacks,” says Samir Sayed, Vice President- Sales, AGC Networks Ltd. Operational since 2004, CERT-In is the national nodal agency for responding to computer security related incidents as and when they occur.
Strategies for War and Peace
The Takshashila Institution is a non-partisan, non-profit organisation registered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The representatives of the institution spoke to eGov on strategic affairs.
How real is the prospect of cyberwarfare?
Whether we consider the distributed denial of service (DDoS) assault on Georgia’s cyber infrastructure during the 2008 South Ossetia War, or Russia’s crippling attacks on Estonia’s network infrastructure, cyberspace is increasingly becoming a domain where conflicts are played out. Stuxnet, allegedly built to target Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities, shows that two states can engage in cyberwar while not being in conventional war.
Should India invest more in enhancing its capabilities in the unmanned aircraft?
Unmanned aircrafts are the way for the future. All the three services – army, air force and the navy – will need them. Any investment in developing unmanned aircrafts will be money well spent. Moreover, it has export potential too, as witnessed at the Singapore Air Show where unmanned aerial vehicle “ Rustom” and pilot-less target aircraft “ Lakhsya”, attracted strong interests from several countries.
How are the Indian Armed Forces placed in terms of preparedness for cyber war?
We are still only beginning to come to grips with cyber warfare and the role of the armed forces in this domain. India drew up plans for a USCYBERCOM-type structure around 2009, but both its current status and mandate are unclear. The issue here isn’t so much about the absence of ideas rather than the lack of sustained political will to push urgent organizational changes through.
Dr Gulshan Rai, Director General, Computer Emergency Response Team – India (CERT-In), says :-
“CERT-In draws its mandate from Section 70 (B) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The mandate includes the collection of information pertaining to cyber incidents, issue vulnerability notes, advisories, White Papers, the analysis of those incidents and then advising to the users all over the country about the security breaches and what threat is persisting, what threats are likely to come there. These are the basic mandates and are carried out through different modes, different ways, by interacting with the public parties, by interacting with the users group be it public, private, govt. or academia. We take their help and they report a lot of incidents. We analyse threats ourselves and also take their help. We also take help from the international agencies who are in touch with us. The prime responsibility of CERT-In is to analyse the incidents and to provide emergency response to the users, organizations in the country and outside.”
ICT in logistical management
“Digital signatures are the way for authentication. They should be used more extensively to reduce paperwork, particularly in procurement processes, for RFIs, RFPs, tenders, supply orders, much else,” says Lt Gen AKS Chandele.
The revolution that ICT has brought in the field of military logistics is as momentous as the one in the field of armaments and cyber security. With the use ICT tools the military planners have a way of marrying the power of information with modern identification, transportation and electronic commerce systems. Defence forces have been able to develop seamless logistics systems that tie the entire chain of command into one network of shared situational awareness and unified action. Such digital systems help the defence forces to bring efficiency in their internal management of the manpower, the equipment and the armament related resources. The typical ICT systems being used by defence forces encompass all levels of security and they ensure that the right person has the right authority to access the right information.
Samir Sayed
Vice President- Sales, AGC Networks Ltd.
“If the data is classified as confidential then it must be encrypted in transit or at rest. Multiple technologies can be deployed for encryption during transit and for data at rest”
KPM Das, Vice President, National Security and Defence, Cisco Systems, says, “Over military networks, both in peace and war, digital identities are used online as a way to identify personnel and to provide access to various services and military applications offered by the defence agencies. While many aspects of the online eco-system have been improved through IT Policy, Information Assurance SOPs(Standard Operating Procedures) and innovations in technology, assurances of digital identity and managing those identities over the network with credence to privacy, security and ease of use remains a complex problem.”
The authorised defence staffs are able to manage and aggregate finance, payroll and personnel information in easy and efficient manner. Automation of procurement, personnel and pay administration, vetting, recruitment, estate management and performance reporting becomes easy to implement when with ICT based systems. Even the management of canteen supplies and medical stores being used by the defence forces is being streamlined through ICT. Technology can also help in creating systems more agile procurement and adaptation cycles that are required for preventing obsolescence and to maintaining interoperability. In a world where warning times are often getting reduced, defence needs to take a holistic approach to ICT capability for integrating both war and management related functions. Improvements in automation are exploited to provide better unity of command and reduced logistical footprint.
With knowledge provided by ICT systems, leaders have the necessary awareness. Precise, real-time knowledge of the disposition of their assets allows commanders to manoeuvre CSS assets as quickly as they manoeuvre combat elements, thereby shaping the battle. The Indian defence establishment is making extensive use of ICT based systems for things like readiness management, distribution management, asset management, and other logistical interventions. One important part of the entire logistical management exercise of defence forces consists of maintenance of all the equipments in operational worthy condition at all times. To look after this aspect, this there is always a dedicated branch/division. The management solutions the defence forces use are somewhat similar to that used by many world-class commercial companies for reducing inventories significantly through real-time information, coupled with rapid transportation.
LINK:- http://egov.eletsonline.com/2012/03/...rmed-with-ict/
Defence Forces Armed with ICT
Anoop Verma, Elets News Network (ENN)
The top new military trend is one that is known for its economy of scale. It consists of systems that are packed with cutting edge innovations from ICT, and are smaller, remote-controlled and brimful of intelligence. This is indeed, a new era. The era of rather small and unmanned drones. The Indian Air Force is currently flying the Israeli-made Searcher II and Heron for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes. About 100 Searchers are in operation on Indian borders in western, northern and eastern regions. According to a senior IAF official, “IAF is ready to induct more drones in view of their capability of using high-technology to perform specific tasks on the borders.”
The ICT technology being used in modern drones has come so far that basic computer knowledge is no longer essential for remotely flying an UAV. In many cases, military personnel are able to control the drones and direct their deadly payload from thousands of miles away by using just a mouse, joystick and ergonomic pad. “ICT is the single most important factor for the success of military operations in air, ground or water. Access to real-time, authentic and secure information is necessary for enabling the military commander to take the most crucial decisions. In net-centric world, commanders at all levels must be integrated through ICT so that they can have a common picture of the operation being carried out,” says Major General R C Padhi.
Drones – hi-tech and deadly
A wide array of drones are being manufactured by the Israeli defence establishment, including one of world’s largest and most technologically advanced drones, the Heron TP Eitan, which costs an estimated $35 million. With a wingspan of 26 meters (85 ft.), the Heron TP Eitan is of the size of a Boeing 737 passenger jet and can reach an altitude of 12,000 meters. But the biggest manufacturer and user of high-tech drones is the United States. A recently released Congressional report states that drones now account for more than 31 percent of all military craft in USA. This means that one in three aircrafts in USA are drones. We can only imagine the kind of cutting edge ICT that goes into these drones. The technology is a classified secret.
Equipped with sensors and micro-cameras to detect enemies, nuclear weapons or victims in rubble, these remotely piloted drones are capable of transmitting live video, audio and other data from hostile territory in all kinds of weather conditions, they are also capable shooting at targets with flawless accuracy. Military technicians sitting in the other side of the world can control the Predator drones by using a computer and a joystick. Only two miles from the cow pasture in Ohio, where the Wright Brothers learned to fly, there is the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. There researchers are working at a project on miniature unmanned drones, which are of the size of insects and birds, but are capable of spying and even firing missiles from air.
These miniature drones are inspired by nature, in the sense that they replicate the flight mechanics of different insects and birds. Some of the drones even look like the inhabitants of the natural world. For good reason, the base’s indoor flight lab is called “micro-aviary.” The micro-aviary is equipped with 60 motion-capture cameras to track every movement made by the tiny robots. The drones themselves are programmed by a computer to fly and they can execute all kinds of acrobatics in the air.
ICT for security & surveillance
P J Nath
CEO, Nelco Ltd. spoke to eGov on the role that Nelco, a TATA Group company, is playing in Indian defence sector
Give us an overview of the role that Nelco is playing in the defence sector.
Nelco serves the Indian defence sector in key areas of integrated security and surveillance, and in satellite communication. Nelco started with providing Multi Sensor Intruder Detector Systems, including High Voltage Electric fencing, along with intrusion detection system, covering a length of 160 Kms, along the North West Indian border. We are now looking at providing next generation solutions in fencing, which includes non-intrusive infrared and unattended ground sensors (UGS) that send alerts to computerised command control systems for advance detection of intrusion even before the fence.
Tells us about your perimeter security and surveillance solutions.
We have also implemented high tech ICT project involving Integrated Perimeter Security, CCTV Surveillance and Access monitoring & Fire alarm systems for DGOS. The project involved 5 locations spanning across three states. This integrated supply of 17 different systems has connectivity on a single OFC (optic fibre cabling) network for monitoring and centralised Command & Control centre. Our engineering teams have now gained strong expertise in implementing C3i & C4i (Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) projects over the last decade.
Tell us about the work that you are doing in the satellite communications solutions sector.
Nelco acted as an implementation partner in Satcom projects in 2010, which provides satellite based connectivity to 179 Indian Air Force user establishments. The company has also handled niche projects like implementation of Integrated Weather Monitoring Systems at Air Force Base Stations and Integration of high power Electronics Warfare (EW) equipment into EMI shelters & mobile platforms for one of our OEM partners.
What are your plans for the future?
We continue to pursue specific niche areas in high tech perimeter security systems, mobile VSAT communication systems (COTM) and computerised command control systems. We also make efforts in educating our defence agencies in the art of applying latest ICT technologies.
The rapid miniaturization of the aerial drones due to new advancements in IT technologies is transforming the way we address our security related concerns and fight wars. Presently we are having drones that can loiter in the sky for more than 24 hours and provide real-time all-weather surveillance and reconnaissance over entire cities. The California based AeroVironment Inc. had unveiled the hummingbird drone in February this year. This drone can fly at 11 miles per hour; it can hover and perch on a windowsill. However, the bird is still a prototype. Mostly operators use radio-controlled devices to control such small drones. But newer systems are being developed that can be controlled through commands send by tablet computers.
It has been in the reports that India is developing solar-powered spy drones, which can cruise in the sky for several days at a time. Once they become operation these high-altitude, long endurance (HALE) solar-powered UAV will provide a cost-effective and flexible 24×7 ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance) platform. These HALE drones can easily be compared to a satellite that orbits closer to the ground. “Solar efficiency is low but we are looking at a payload of around 50 kg (sensors, cameras etc). We will seek some collaboration from either US or European companies,” says Dr Prahlada, DRDO’s chief controller R&D (aeronautics).
Major General R C Padhi
Additional Surveyor General
Surveyor General’s Office
“The country must start focussing on having indigenous war equipments. Import of weapons is an expensive proposition. At times it is difficult to manage the upgrades of high technology imported systems”
Last year the Cabinet Committee on Security cleared an Rs 1,500 crore DRDO project to develop the Rustom-H MALE (medium-altitude, long-endurance) drone. Being developed for the three services, Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force, the Rustom is capable of operating for 24 hours with a 350 kg payload. Its first flight is expected to take place in 2013. Once it becomes operational, the Rustom will replace or supplement the Heron UAVs, which are currently in service with the Indian Air Force. Then there is the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) called DRDO Nishant, which is meant to carry electro-optical, electronic intelligence and communication intelligence payloads. Nishant has already been developed and is currently undergoing field-testing. Once it becomes operation, Nishant will be used for intelligence gathering over enemy territory and also for recon, training, surveillance, target designation, artillery fire correction and damage assessment.
Ground based defence and offence
Recently NIIT Technologies Ltd. implemented ‘Intranet Prahari Project’ for Border Security Force (BSF) personnel. This project enables BSF personnel in 237 locations to access their personal data from wherever they are posted. Under this project state-of-the-art data centres have been established; the Main Data Centre; a Disaster Recovery Data Centre (in a different seismic zone) and Mini Data Centres at Frontier HQrs for data storage. Sufficient cyber security measures to ensure network security and to prevent data loss or pilferage have been incorporated. Network connectivity has been extended to brigade level.
Regarding the safety features installed in the Data Centres built for the Intranet Prahari Project, Venkat Patnaik says, “The systems are based in structures with state of the art Building Management System including fire alarm and extinguishing capability. There are CCTV cameras, bio-metric access control, Intrusion Prevention System, multiple firewalls, Central Anti-Virus deployment. Additionally there is MAC based authentication of desktops/laptops connecting into the network. Also there is closed network with no internet browsing/ external email.”
KPM Das, Vice President, National Security and Defence, Cisco Systems says :-
“Convergence is here and now- networks carry voice, video and data with equal assurance. Combat signalers design, and build tactical networks to enable mobility – the network components are on the move, so are the platforms like battle tanks and ICVs and so are the soldiers with tablets and hand-held devices. This three-fold challenge is met by engineering architectures based on IP and use of protocols which are hardened for the battlefield conditions of impairment and disruption. Corps of Signals, around the world, has to be a step ahead of the general staff and commanders in ensuring that paradigms stay current and enable tactical-doctrinal shifts.”
Surely the evidence of cutting edge ICT is not confined only to aerial tools. Even the ground-based systems are incorporated with the best from the world of ICT. Platforms for conducting land-based battles, the heavy battle tank (MBT), infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), tactical vehicle, etc. are carry all kinds of hardware and software to enable night vision, navigation in all kinds of terrain, communication, remote sensing and accurately aiming at distant targets. In water we have ships such as patrol craft, corvette, frigate, destroyer, multi-purposes support ship, and aircraft carrier. The radars that are used by military for detecting intrusions on land, sea and air are basically software based devices.
Lt Gen AKS Chandele, PVSM, AVSM (Retd), Former Director General EME, says :-
“Effective utilisation of the electromagnetic spectrum and denial of the same to the adversary would be the centre of gravity in future warfare. Along with other cyber security measures, cyber warfare will include ICT based early warning systems for real time detection of enemy’s intrusions and their neutralization.”
Venkat Patnaik
Senior Vice President & Head India Govt.
Business, NIIT Technologies
“Intranet Prahari Project will bring a culture of electronic exchange of information through emails, e-notesheets, etc. It will reduce workload of paperwork and free up manpower for field operations”
All modern militaries make use of some kind of Battlefield Management System (BMS), which is the software that lets top military leaders plan their strategies. Sections, platoons, companies, regiments, brigades, divisions, as well as corps make use of communication technology that is in some cases far more advanced than what is available for civilian use. The telecommunications equipment and the electronic countermeasures equipment are again software-based tools. These tools are used to develop seamless linkages between sensors, weapon systems, commanders and their personnel in a networked environment. The power and the efficiency of the force is enhanced, as networking leads to new cohesion between maritime, land, aerospace and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) domains.
Lt Gen AKS Chandele
PVSM, AVSM (Retd),
Former Director General EME
“We are in the Information Age and the future combat space will be the electronic battlefield. Information dominance over the adversary is of critical importance”
Lt Gen AKS Chandele adds, “Battlefield management is becoming network centric, with sensors, shooters and command and control systems being linked. Military relies on ICT to coordinate their forces and control their weapon systems. However, the battlefield will always remain people centric, since beyond the network is ultimately the human being.”
The transformation that ICT has made in the field of battle is glaringly obvious. Once the defence forces used to be armed with so called “dumb bombs,” which being bereft of intelligent software were completely incapable of accurately choosing or selecting targets. They could not differentiate between high-value targets and the unimportant ones. So the collateral damage on usage of dumb bombs would be fairly high. With ICT powered weaponry, the defence establishments around the world have a way of ensuring that there is minimum collateral damage. Instead of steel, microchips have started symbolising the new sinews of war.
The defence industry has for many years been producing surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles that can adjust their trajectory while speeding towards an enemy target. While there are remotely controlled missiles and drones in the air, on the ground there are unmanned armoured vehicles. Cutting edge ICT is being used to develop deep sea mines that can identify a ship by analysing the vibration caused by the ship’s hull. This means that the mine will have no difficulty in differentiating between a military and a civilian target. The Ministry of Defence, in India, established Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) in Oct 1986. During the initial years, the research focus of this organisation was in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Control systems. In November 2000, R & D groups working in the areas of Command Control Communication and Intelligence (C3I) systems, Communication and Networking, and Communication Secrecy in Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) were merged with CAIR.
Pratik Chube
Country GM – Products & Marketing,
Emerson Network Power
“Security remains the biggest concern for our online systems. Virtualisation has added extra security capabilities to the data centres, owned by defence departments or civilian sectors, in the form of closer management of virtual systems”
Today CAIR is regarded as the premier laboratory for R&D in different areas in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as applicable to defence. Out of 300 personnel employed in the organisation 150 are well qualified scientists. During more than two decades of its existence, CAIR has developed a number of Information Systems, Communication Systems and Security Solutions. The organisation is also being credited with doing quality R&D work in Intelligent Systems technologies.
Ground based robots
A document from Department of Defence in USA states that by 2030, up to a third of the fighting force in USA would comprise of robots. The Virginia based, Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has started testing a quadruped robot that can traverse all sorts of terrain and act as a pack mule for soldiers. Known as Legged Squad Support System (LS3), this semi-autonomous robot is developed from Boston Dynamic’s Big Dog and Alpha Dog robots. Packed with advanced sensory systems, for vision and sound, the LS3 prototype is fully capable of distinguishing between trees, rocks, soldiers, and other obstacles. The LS3 is still going through a testing phase; ultimately it must be able to carry 400lbs for 20 miles without refuelling within 24 hours. The system can also serve as an auxiliary power source that soldiers can use to recharge batteries for handheld devices. As the LS3 shows, the design of the military robots is not necessarily human-looking. Basically, their design element is based on the kind of tasks that they are expected to perform.
Advanced armies are already using robots that are equipped with radar vision and supersensitive sensors and can handle broader range of tasks, ranging from picking off snipers to serving as indefatigable night sentries. Nothing can escape detection from an unblinking digital eye. The Israeli army has been using robots for assisting troops in combat for tasks such as surveillance, reconnaissance, anti-mine and anti-IED role, urban area combat, casualty extraction etc.
Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) and Long Distance Tele-Operation (LDTO) robots can be controlled through the secure Internet connection or even by cellular signals. They serve the purpose of keeping soldiers out of harm’s way. The CEO of iRobot, Colin Angle, says, “One of the great arguments for armed robots is they don’t panic under fire.” In some quarters fears have been expressed about robots taking over. But Colin Angle finds such fears to be completely unfounded. “There is no question of robots taking over,” Colin Angle says. “People taking robot and sensing technology and incorporating them into their own bodies is much more imminent.”
Dr Gulshan Rai
Director General, Computer Emergency
Response Team – India (CERT-In)
“CERT-In’s mandate includes the collection of information pertaining to cyber incidents, issue vulnerability notes, advisories, white papers and the analysis of those incidents”
ICT is also leading to seminal improvements in the performance of soldiers. Soldiers are equipped with high tech communication equipment and sensors that allows them to keep track of large areas in the battlefield. Even the Internet was first developed with a military objective in mind. The grandfather of today’s Internet, the ARPAnet, came into life in 1969. Funded by the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the United States Department of Defence, the network was initially meant for defence related projects at universities and research laboratories in the USA. ARPA stands for the Advanced Research Projects Agency, which is a branch of the military that developed top-secret systems and weapons during the Cold War.
Finally the Internet evolved out of the ARPAnet and today we are having the Twitter and Facebook revolution. The Internet could only happen because four major innovations happened under the ARPAnet. These were: in 1971, the system of email or electronic mail got developed; in 1972, the telnet, a remote connection service for controlling a computer came into being; in 1973, the file transfer protocol (FTP), which allows information to be sent from one computer to another in bulk, was developed. The ARPAnet is just one example of how military technology has transmogrified into something that has proved to be seminally beneficial for the world. Many other modern tools from ICT that we are using in civilian space today were first developed for military purposes.
Nitin Walia
Director, Xgen Plus
“The threat of cyber terrorism is haunting the world. The Internet of the year 2012 has become so diversified that it now dominates terror circles. These groups will continue to use the internet as a prime medium for recruitment and communication”
“The period of the world wars is replete with examples of technologies being first developed for military and then being put to civilian use as well. Military technology has always been transferred for civilian uses where possible. ARPANET of DARPA morphed into the internet. Composites used in tanks etc. are now used in utensils. Similarly, today’s cutting edge technology such as recognition systems can be used in home security systems in future. Navigation systems in aircraft can give direction to GPS used in civilian fields, including in cars. Such possibilities are endless,” says Lt Gen AKS Chandele, PVSM, AVSM (Retd), Former Director General EME.
Strategies for cyber warfare
“Security of information is non-negotiable. Hardware systems like desktop, laptop, PDA and hand held systems in use have to undergo security checks before it is commissioned for defence related activities. The systems are integrated into secured defence communication network for all types of communication,” says Major General R C Padhi. Defence forces have to pay lot of attention to securing their data. On the issue of using handheld devices in defence forces, General Ajay Chandele says, “ICT services must move to handheld devices from desktops. Security protocols need to be re-worked for the revised environments. There are security protocols for hand held data. If banks can manage confidential data on handhelds/mobiles, there is no reason defence forces can’t. As ICT systems will proliferate, handheld devices are the future. For example, even the F-INSAS (Futuristic Infantry Soldier As a System) will require handheld ICT devices for individual soldiers.”
In the conflicts of 21st century, computer specialists may become central. Cyber warfare is a growing threat and militaries around the world are racing to recruit computer specialists. For military strategists, the idea of cyber warfare is particularly dispiriting. This is the kind of warfare where the enemy has all the tactical advantages. He has the advantage of stealth, of anonymity and of unpredictability. In many cases, the defence establishments find it difficult to pinpoint the nation or area from which the attack has originated. When the location from which the attack has originated is not known, it becomes impossible to develop an effective strategy for deterring further damage by the threat of retaliation. Even if the location becomes known, the targeted nation might not have the legal or moral authority to respond, as it can never be conclusively proved if the cyber attack was a case of vandalism, of commercial theft or an effort to cripple a nation before launching a conventional war.
“The threat of cyber terrorism is something that has been haunting not only India but the rest of the world too. The Internet of the year 2012 has become so diversified that it now dominates terror circles. These groups will continue to use the internet as a prime medium for recruitment and communication. The security agencies have to upgrade their defences to prevent such groups from dominating the web,” Nitin Walia, Director, Xgen Plus Technologies.
DRDO daksh
A creation of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Daksh is an electrically powered and remotely controlled robot used for locating, handling and destroying hazardous objects safely. The primary function of this battery powered remotely controlled robot on wheels is to recover improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The IEDs get located by Daksh’s X-ray vision. Once the target has been identified, the robot picks it up using gripper arm before finally diffusing them with a jet of water. The robot also has a high-calibre shotgun, with which can it can take out targets, or break open locked doors. Its high-calibre sensors can be used to scan cars for explosives.
Daksh can climb staircases, negotiate steep slopes, navigate narrow corridors and tow vehicles.
The advent of the ICT age has given us the new domain of cyberspace and transformed how individuals, businesses and governments interact, but the tools from ICT can also be misused to launch cyber attacks on organisations and even on nations. The Cyberspace essentially comprises of the networks, computers, software, hardware, servers, and other devices including cell phones, tablets, radios, etc. By 2020 there are going to be more than 3 billion net users, maximum growth is expected in India and China. With such a large section of the global population conducting the business of their life in the cyber arena, there is bound to be an increase in vulnerabilities. Few months ago, Google had reported that its services had been targeted in an attack that originated from China. Later on Washington had moved in to classify that attack as an act of war.
‘’The fact of the matter,’’ a senior intelligence official in India says, ‘’is that unless Google had told the world about the attack on it and other companies, we probably never would have seen it. Many such attacks go unreported. Our economy, our government and our civil society is constantly being threatened by those who seek to disrupt the free flow of information. It is really scary.’’ When the Stuxnet worm first made its appearance, the world’s top software-security experts were panicked. This drone-like computer virus was radically different from and far more sophisticated than any that the world had seen. Till today there is not enough clarity about the Stuxnet payload, and the entities that were behind it. But according to some reports the Stuxnet worm appears to have attacked Iran’s nuclear programme. The worm was probably built by an advanced attacker with plentiful resources. The attacker could be a nation-state. The purpose of the Stuxnet was not espionage, it was built for sabotage.
There have been many instances in the past, when sensitive installations in India have come under cyber attack. “Today’s threat landscape has changed and point protection solutions may not be sufficient to secure from these complex attacks,” says Samir Sayed, Vice President- Sales, AGC Networks Ltd. Operational since 2004, CERT-In is the national nodal agency for responding to computer security related incidents as and when they occur.
Strategies for War and Peace
The Takshashila Institution is a non-partisan, non-profit organisation registered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The representatives of the institution spoke to eGov on strategic affairs.
How real is the prospect of cyberwarfare?
Whether we consider the distributed denial of service (DDoS) assault on Georgia’s cyber infrastructure during the 2008 South Ossetia War, or Russia’s crippling attacks on Estonia’s network infrastructure, cyberspace is increasingly becoming a domain where conflicts are played out. Stuxnet, allegedly built to target Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities, shows that two states can engage in cyberwar while not being in conventional war.
Should India invest more in enhancing its capabilities in the unmanned aircraft?
Unmanned aircrafts are the way for the future. All the three services – army, air force and the navy – will need them. Any investment in developing unmanned aircrafts will be money well spent. Moreover, it has export potential too, as witnessed at the Singapore Air Show where unmanned aerial vehicle “ Rustom” and pilot-less target aircraft “ Lakhsya”, attracted strong interests from several countries.
How are the Indian Armed Forces placed in terms of preparedness for cyber war?
We are still only beginning to come to grips with cyber warfare and the role of the armed forces in this domain. India drew up plans for a USCYBERCOM-type structure around 2009, but both its current status and mandate are unclear. The issue here isn’t so much about the absence of ideas rather than the lack of sustained political will to push urgent organizational changes through.
Dr Gulshan Rai, Director General, Computer Emergency Response Team – India (CERT-In), says :-
“CERT-In draws its mandate from Section 70 (B) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The mandate includes the collection of information pertaining to cyber incidents, issue vulnerability notes, advisories, White Papers, the analysis of those incidents and then advising to the users all over the country about the security breaches and what threat is persisting, what threats are likely to come there. These are the basic mandates and are carried out through different modes, different ways, by interacting with the public parties, by interacting with the users group be it public, private, govt. or academia. We take their help and they report a lot of incidents. We analyse threats ourselves and also take their help. We also take help from the international agencies who are in touch with us. The prime responsibility of CERT-In is to analyse the incidents and to provide emergency response to the users, organizations in the country and outside.”
ICT in logistical management
“Digital signatures are the way for authentication. They should be used more extensively to reduce paperwork, particularly in procurement processes, for RFIs, RFPs, tenders, supply orders, much else,” says Lt Gen AKS Chandele.
The revolution that ICT has brought in the field of military logistics is as momentous as the one in the field of armaments and cyber security. With the use ICT tools the military planners have a way of marrying the power of information with modern identification, transportation and electronic commerce systems. Defence forces have been able to develop seamless logistics systems that tie the entire chain of command into one network of shared situational awareness and unified action. Such digital systems help the defence forces to bring efficiency in their internal management of the manpower, the equipment and the armament related resources. The typical ICT systems being used by defence forces encompass all levels of security and they ensure that the right person has the right authority to access the right information.
Samir Sayed
Vice President- Sales, AGC Networks Ltd.
“If the data is classified as confidential then it must be encrypted in transit or at rest. Multiple technologies can be deployed for encryption during transit and for data at rest”
KPM Das, Vice President, National Security and Defence, Cisco Systems, says, “Over military networks, both in peace and war, digital identities are used online as a way to identify personnel and to provide access to various services and military applications offered by the defence agencies. While many aspects of the online eco-system have been improved through IT Policy, Information Assurance SOPs(Standard Operating Procedures) and innovations in technology, assurances of digital identity and managing those identities over the network with credence to privacy, security and ease of use remains a complex problem.”
The authorised defence staffs are able to manage and aggregate finance, payroll and personnel information in easy and efficient manner. Automation of procurement, personnel and pay administration, vetting, recruitment, estate management and performance reporting becomes easy to implement when with ICT based systems. Even the management of canteen supplies and medical stores being used by the defence forces is being streamlined through ICT. Technology can also help in creating systems more agile procurement and adaptation cycles that are required for preventing obsolescence and to maintaining interoperability. In a world where warning times are often getting reduced, defence needs to take a holistic approach to ICT capability for integrating both war and management related functions. Improvements in automation are exploited to provide better unity of command and reduced logistical footprint.
With knowledge provided by ICT systems, leaders have the necessary awareness. Precise, real-time knowledge of the disposition of their assets allows commanders to manoeuvre CSS assets as quickly as they manoeuvre combat elements, thereby shaping the battle. The Indian defence establishment is making extensive use of ICT based systems for things like readiness management, distribution management, asset management, and other logistical interventions. One important part of the entire logistical management exercise of defence forces consists of maintenance of all the equipments in operational worthy condition at all times. To look after this aspect, this there is always a dedicated branch/division. The management solutions the defence forces use are somewhat similar to that used by many world-class commercial companies for reducing inventories significantly through real-time information, coupled with rapid transportation.
LINK:- http://egov.eletsonline.com/2012/03/...rmed-with-ict/
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arp2041
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KALI - Towards India's Future Directed-Energy Weapon System
KALI - Towards India's Future Directed-Energy Weapon System - AA Me, IN
@Dillinger
KALI - Towards India's Future Directed-Energy Weapon System - AA Me, IN
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Oye teri, thanks yaara.
KALI pe abhi tak sirf wiki page tha mere pas, tried to look for other material may times- never found any..that is TILL NOW!
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New yards, techniques, to speed up warship building
A humming construction site in Mumbai’s Mazagon Dock Ltd (MDL) holds the promise of a new era in warship building in India. Everything about this emerging new shipyard is enormous: the 200-metre-long workshop; a Goliath crane that dwarfs everything around; and an expansive “wet basin”, which is an enclosed harbour that will comfortably house two large warships.
This is MDL’s new Rs 826 crore “modular” shipyard that is expected to slash down the time taken to build warships for the Indian Navy. Defence shipyards currently take over ten years to build major warships like destroyers, frigates and corvettes. When the new yard is commissioned in June 2013, frigates will be built in 60 months; destroyers will take 72 months.
Building warships faster is crucial for the navy. Its Maritime Capability Perspective Plan (MCPP) of 2005 envisions a 160-ship navy, with 90 capital warships like aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates and corvettes. Today, however, the navy has just 134 ships, with less than half the destroyers and frigates it needs. Bridging this gap of 26 ships, while also replacing warships that are being decommissioned after completing their 30-40 year service lives, requires a major boost in indigenous build capability.
To achieve this, MDL --- along with the other big defence shipyard, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata (GRSE) --- is abandoning traditional shipbuilding. That involves welding a hull together and launching it into water, after which swarms of craftsmen painstakingly work in the warship’s cramped compartments, installing propulsion gear, electrically equipment, weapons, sensors and hundreds of kilometres of pipes and wiring. This is a slow process.
Instead, construction will now be like a giant Lego game: convenient 300-ton blocks will be built separately, and then assembled together into a complete warship. Each block will be fabricated in a well-lit, ventilated workshop with multi-level access, and will be complete with all the piping, electrical wiring and fitments that run through a ship. Each block must dovetail precisely with its neighbouring block, every wire, pipe and compartment coming together in perfect alignment.
PK Bhattacharjee, General Manager of the Mazagon Modernisation Project (MMP), who is conducting Business Standard through an exclusive, pre-inauguration tour of the shipyard, explains what happens next. After a block is completed in the worker-friendly environment of the modular workshop, the workshop’s roof is retracted and the rail-mounted Goliath crane reaches in and lifts out the 300-tonne block. It then transports it to the slipway where it takes its place in the warship that is taking shape. After about 20 blocks come together, the 3000-tonne semi-built warship is launched into the water and towed to the “wet basin”, where the superstructure, and weapons and sensors are put in.
“The capability to lift 300 tonnes is what makes modular shipbuilding possible. For decades, we have worked with 40-tonne cranes,” explains Battacharjee.
The first warships that will emerge from this process are 7 frigates of Project 17A. MDL will build four frigates, while GRSE will build three. The Project 17A frigates will be outwardly similar to their predecessors, the three Shivalik-class frigates of Project 17, which MDL has just completed. But modular shipbuilding is expected to ensure that Project 17A is completed must faster.
Back in MDL’s corporate office the new chairman, Rear Admiral (Retired) Rahul Kumar Shrawat, explains that the technological challenge of modular shipbuilding lies in designing each 300-tonne block so that it is fully kitted and fits exactly into the next. Since this process is new to India, Fincantieri, an Italian shipbuilder, will provide consultancy for the new design process.
“MDL’s board, in coordination with our partner shipyard, GRSE, will decide on the design consultancy for Project 17A. It will be a shipyard’s decision. The navy has specified only that integrated (modular) construction must take place,” says Shrawat.
Dutch company, Royal Haskoning, has functioned as prime consultant for the MMP, which has taken five years. Haskoning has prepared the design, organised site surveys and geotechnical investigations and is now supervising construction. Hyderabad-based Nagarjuna Construction has done the civil works, including the 8000 square metre workshop with a retractable roof.
A key construction challenge has been the Goliath crane, a Rs 89 crore, 2200-tonne structure that traverses on rails and extends 138 metres across the yard. Designed by Konecrane of Finland, the Goliath crane was physically erected by Fagioli of Italy. Kolkata-based company, McNally Bharat, was the Indian contractor.
Most pleasing to MDL officials is the third element of the MMP: a new wet basin that offers 25,000 square metres of berthing space for under-construction warships. MDL has long functioned with just the 14,000 square metre Kasara Wet Basin, which was built in 1774 to service warships of the East India Company. But, with three projects simultaneously ongoing, MDL had to berth under-construction warships at the Naval Dockyard, several kilometres away, transporting labour, stores and machinery to the naval facility everyday.
From next month, the wet basin and the Goliath crane will start functioning. The rest of the workshop is scheduled to be inaugurated in June 2013.
Broadsword: New yards, techniques, to speed up warship building
A humming construction site in Mumbai’s Mazagon Dock Ltd (MDL) holds the promise of a new era in warship building in India. Everything about this emerging new shipyard is enormous: the 200-metre-long workshop; a Goliath crane that dwarfs everything around; and an expansive “wet basin”, which is an enclosed harbour that will comfortably house two large warships.
This is MDL’s new Rs 826 crore “modular” shipyard that is expected to slash down the time taken to build warships for the Indian Navy. Defence shipyards currently take over ten years to build major warships like destroyers, frigates and corvettes. When the new yard is commissioned in June 2013, frigates will be built in 60 months; destroyers will take 72 months.
Building warships faster is crucial for the navy. Its Maritime Capability Perspective Plan (MCPP) of 2005 envisions a 160-ship navy, with 90 capital warships like aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates and corvettes. Today, however, the navy has just 134 ships, with less than half the destroyers and frigates it needs. Bridging this gap of 26 ships, while also replacing warships that are being decommissioned after completing their 30-40 year service lives, requires a major boost in indigenous build capability.
To achieve this, MDL --- along with the other big defence shipyard, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata (GRSE) --- is abandoning traditional shipbuilding. That involves welding a hull together and launching it into water, after which swarms of craftsmen painstakingly work in the warship’s cramped compartments, installing propulsion gear, electrically equipment, weapons, sensors and hundreds of kilometres of pipes and wiring. This is a slow process.
Instead, construction will now be like a giant Lego game: convenient 300-ton blocks will be built separately, and then assembled together into a complete warship. Each block will be fabricated in a well-lit, ventilated workshop with multi-level access, and will be complete with all the piping, electrical wiring and fitments that run through a ship. Each block must dovetail precisely with its neighbouring block, every wire, pipe and compartment coming together in perfect alignment.
PK Bhattacharjee, General Manager of the Mazagon Modernisation Project (MMP), who is conducting Business Standard through an exclusive, pre-inauguration tour of the shipyard, explains what happens next. After a block is completed in the worker-friendly environment of the modular workshop, the workshop’s roof is retracted and the rail-mounted Goliath crane reaches in and lifts out the 300-tonne block. It then transports it to the slipway where it takes its place in the warship that is taking shape. After about 20 blocks come together, the 3000-tonne semi-built warship is launched into the water and towed to the “wet basin”, where the superstructure, and weapons and sensors are put in.
“The capability to lift 300 tonnes is what makes modular shipbuilding possible. For decades, we have worked with 40-tonne cranes,” explains Battacharjee.
The first warships that will emerge from this process are 7 frigates of Project 17A. MDL will build four frigates, while GRSE will build three. The Project 17A frigates will be outwardly similar to their predecessors, the three Shivalik-class frigates of Project 17, which MDL has just completed. But modular shipbuilding is expected to ensure that Project 17A is completed must faster.
Back in MDL’s corporate office the new chairman, Rear Admiral (Retired) Rahul Kumar Shrawat, explains that the technological challenge of modular shipbuilding lies in designing each 300-tonne block so that it is fully kitted and fits exactly into the next. Since this process is new to India, Fincantieri, an Italian shipbuilder, will provide consultancy for the new design process.
“MDL’s board, in coordination with our partner shipyard, GRSE, will decide on the design consultancy for Project 17A. It will be a shipyard’s decision. The navy has specified only that integrated (modular) construction must take place,” says Shrawat.
Dutch company, Royal Haskoning, has functioned as prime consultant for the MMP, which has taken five years. Haskoning has prepared the design, organised site surveys and geotechnical investigations and is now supervising construction. Hyderabad-based Nagarjuna Construction has done the civil works, including the 8000 square metre workshop with a retractable roof.
A key construction challenge has been the Goliath crane, a Rs 89 crore, 2200-tonne structure that traverses on rails and extends 138 metres across the yard. Designed by Konecrane of Finland, the Goliath crane was physically erected by Fagioli of Italy. Kolkata-based company, McNally Bharat, was the Indian contractor.
Most pleasing to MDL officials is the third element of the MMP: a new wet basin that offers 25,000 square metres of berthing space for under-construction warships. MDL has long functioned with just the 14,000 square metre Kasara Wet Basin, which was built in 1774 to service warships of the East India Company. But, with three projects simultaneously ongoing, MDL had to berth under-construction warships at the Naval Dockyard, several kilometres away, transporting labour, stores and machinery to the naval facility everyday.
From next month, the wet basin and the Goliath crane will start functioning. The rest of the workshop is scheduled to be inaugurated in June 2013.
Broadsword: New yards, techniques, to speed up warship building
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From One of my Earlier Threads:
Military use of Space by India
Like the other big players in the space technology, India of late have been actively engaging itself to the use of space for it's armed forces, here is the list of applications of space which India is utilizing for it's military:
Satellites:
TES (Technology Experiment Satellite) Launched in 2001, this 1108kg satellite has a pan chromatic camera for remote sensing. The camera is capable of producing image of 1 mt. resolution. Imagery from the TES has been used by the Indian military, it also helped the US army with high-resolution images during the 9/11 counter against the Taliban.
CartoSat 1 It was launched in 2005 & weighed around 1560 kg. CartoSat 1 carries two state-of-the-art panchromatic (PAN) cameras that take black and white stereoscopic pictures of the earth in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The swath covered by these high resolution PAN cameras is 30 km and their spatial resolution is 2.5 metres (It may or may not have been used for military purpose). Since the mission life was for 5 years, it is no longer active.
CartoSat 2 Launched in early 2007 (weight 680kg). Cartosat-2 carries a state-of-the-art panchromatic (PAN) camera that take black and white pictures of the earth in the visible region of theelectromagnetic spectrum. The swath covered by these high resolution PAN cameras is 9.6 km and their spatial resolution is less than 1 metre. The satellite can be steered up to 45 degrees along as well as across the track. Cartosat-2 can produce images of up to 80 cm in resolution (black and white only).
CartoSat 2A Launched in 2008 (weight 690kg). The spatial resolution of this camera is better than 1m and swath of 9.6 km.
RISAT 2 Radar Imaging Satellite was launched in 2009 after the 26/11 mumbai attacks since there was an urgent need for remote sensing satellites that can work in bad weather conditions, cloud cover or in night. RISAT-2's main sensor is an X-band synthetic aperture radar from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It is designed to monitor India's borders and as part of anti-infiltration and anti-terrorist operations. The satellite has a mass of 300 kilograms
CartoSat 2B Launched in 2010 (694 kg) CartoSat 2B carries a Panchromatic camera (PAN) similar to those of its predecessors - CartoSat 2 and 2A.
RISAT 1 It is the Indian version of the Israeli SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite. It is the first Indian satellite with capability to work in any weather conditions day or night. Weighing around 1850kg in was launched in April 2012.
Future Satellites with military applications:
Navy Satellite (GSAT-7)
A dedicated satellite to facilitating Naval communication and network centric warfare will be launched into geostationary orbit by ISRO in FY 2012-13. Defense Minister, AK Antony announced the project during Senior Naval Officers Conference in New Delhi on October 22, 2009. The satellite was initially planned to be launched in 2010, but the project has been delayed.The satellite will facilitate networking of IN warships, submarines and aircraft among themselves as well as with operational centres ashore through high-speed data-links, allowing Maritime threats to be detected and shared in real-time to ensure swift reaction.The multi-band satellite will weigh 2,330 kg. (5,137 lb.).The satellite will provide coverage over a 600 x 1,000 nm area of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), which India considers to be its primary area of responsibility in terms of maritime security.The project cost is Rs 950 crore.
IAF Satellite (GSAT-7A)
The first dedicated IAF communication satellite is scheduled for launch in FY 2013-14, after the Navy satellite due to be launched in 2012-13. The satellite was initially scheduled to be launched in July 2009, according to a PTI report on November 18, 2008. In early January 2009, the IAF Chief said the IAF satellite will be launched in 2010. Later, it was reported that the satellite would be launched in 2011-12, The launch schedule of both the Navy and IAF satellites got disrupted due to back-to-back failures of the GSLV in 2010.According to IAF Chief Fali H. Major, the satellite will serve as the air force's eye in the skies. It will link up the six AWACS that the IAF is acquiring with each other as well as other ground and airbased radars.
Communication-Centric Intelligence Satellite (CCI-Sat)
Communication-Centric Intelligence Satellite is an Indian Advanced Reconnaissance Spy Satellite, being developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). It will be India's first officially declared spy satelliteand according to ISRO it should be in the sky by 2014. This satellite will help Indian intelligence agencies to significantly boost surveillance of terror camps in neighboring countries.The CCI-Sat will be able to capture images, eaves drop on communication (for example, a conversation between twosatellite phones) and surveillance. It will be equipped with synthetic aperture radar to take high resolution images of the target region. The cost of the satellite is expected to be around INR 100 crore (around USD 25 million). ISRO will contribute towards the satellite's design and development and DERL will be responsible for the payload.
Optsat 3000 - Presently, ISRO and IAI are believed to be cooperating to develop an India-specific variant of the Optsat 3000 three-axis stabilised, autonomous overhead reconnaissance satellite for the NTRO. The Optsat 3000 satellite will offer simultaneous PAN and multi-spectral imaging capability, plus very high-resolution photo-imagery. The satellites low weight and compact dimensions will result in low inertia, thereby allowing for high agility, which in turn will enable achieving a very high number of images, widely spread, in one satellite pass. The satellite, to be deployed in low-earth orbit, is being designed for a mission life of more than six years.
Satellite Defense Capability
India is developing capabilities to defend its satellites against attempts to disable them using kill vehicles, laser or other electronic weapons. At a press conference during DefExpo 2012 on March 31, 2012, DRDO chief VK Saraswat said technologies are being built to protect our satellites from attempts to cause damage, both, electronically and physically. For the later, the capability to destroy hostile missile in space had been demonstrated by the successful ballistic missile defense program.
ASAT Development
At a press conference during DefExpo 2012 on March 31, 2012, DRDO chief VK Saraswat announced that DRDO was acquiring the capability to take out enemy satellites in orbit.We are also having anti-satellite capability in terms of technologies that we have developed in ballistic missile defence system Saraswat said. Engagement of a satellite is a much easier task as compared to the task of engaging a ballistic missile because of the fact that trajectories, timings and altitudes of the satellites are very well defined. What you need is the capability to reach those altitudes and those velocities. After the launch of Agni 4, we have built those capabilities. After the launch of ballistic missile defence, we have the kill vehicles that can take the payload to within few meters of the target. This gives us great advantageDuring a press conference in New Delhi on April 20, 2012, a day after the successful maiden test launch of the Agni-V missile, DRDO Chief VK Saraswat reiterated that the Agni missiles have anti-satellite capabilities.He said that Agni-V has provided India the necessary velocity and range to reach the needed altitudes. DRDO also had the guidance capability to direct the warhead towards the intended target in space, to destroy the satellite using a 'kill vehicle' or just disrupt the satellite's functioning.In an interview with India Today in April 2012, the DRDO Chief elaborated on the Indian ASAT program.
"There are a few essential parameters in intercepting satellites. You should have the ability to track an orbiting satellite in space, launch a missile towards it and finally have a kill vehicle that actually homes in to physically destroy it.
We have a Long Range Tracking Radar (LRTR) used in the Ballistic Missile Defence Programme that has a range of over 600 km. We will increase the range to 1,400 km allowing us to track satellites in orbit.
It is far more difficult to intercept ballistic missiles than it is to intercept satellites. Satellites follow a predictive path. Once you track a satellite, you will know its path.
In the BMD project, we track and intercept a 0.1 square meter target over 1,000 km away. A satellite is ten times larger-over 1 meter wide.
We have the communication systems in place, again developed for the BMD project. The first-stage booster developed for the Agni-V can inject a warhead 600 km into space. We also have a kill vehicle developed for the BMD project. The kill vehicle actually homes in onto an incoming missile. We have the Infra-Red and Radar frequency seekers on the kill vehicle that accurately guide it to its target."
Integrated Space Cell - The Integrated Space Cell is the nodal agency within the Government of India which oversees the security of its space based military and civilian hardware systems. It will be jointly operated by all the three services of the Indian Armed Forces, the civilian Department of Space and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been set up to utilize more effectively the country's space-based assets for military purposes and to look into threats to these assets. It functions under the Integrated Defense Services headquarters of the Indian Ministry of Defense.This command will leverage space technology including satellites. Plans are to upgrade it into a full scale tri-service aerospace command in the future.
Satellite Launch on Demand
DRDO first announced that it is building a capability to launch small satellites on demand to support the armed forces at a press conference during DefExpo 2012 on March 31, 2012.
The capability will provide communication, navigation and guidance support to the armed forces during crises.
"This capability will be based on Agni 4 and Agni 5 missiles and give us capability to launch mini- and micro- satellites within few hours of demand," said DRDO Chief VK Saraswat.
During a press conference in New Delhi on April 20, 2012, a day after the successful maiden launch of the Agni-V missile, DRDO Chief VK Saraswat reiterated his organization's intent to develop on-demand small satellite launch capability using Agni missiles.
The capability would help India to place mini- and micro-satellites in orbit as replacements for any critical navigation or communication satellite disabled by the enemy.
The micro-satellites would have a short life span of between 6 months to a year life.
(Source:Wikipedia, IDP sentinel, http://trishul-trident.blogspot.in/2...s-on-rise.html)
http://www.defence.pk/forums/indian-defence/183791-military-use-space-india.html
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