DRDO, PSU and Private Defence Sector News

[tejas warrior]

DRDO: Pride of India’s defence research and Development

 

[Indx TechStyle]

BEL to commercialise imaging, radio products

Defence public sector major BEL, in less than three years, has built a huge repository of intellectual property (IP) in imaging and radio communication sphere and is planning to commercialise them.

“The company was not filing any IP applications till 2010-11. It was only after the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) was released, that the company took it seriously and is now concentrating on IP creation,” MV Gowtama, Chairman and Managing Director, told BusinessLine.

“Over the last three years, the company has filed over 50 IP applications. Of these, few are getting into commercialisation. IPs are in the areas of vector image processing, C4S, multi-sensor data fusion etc,” he added.

The first IP product to be out in the market is a communication radio for the Indian armed forces – STARS-V Mk III. Second is a V/UHF secure voice communication network – Belcomnet, for the defence, paramilitary forces and for exports and the third is Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS)/Air Defence Weapon Station (ADWS) for the 12.7-mm gun of MBT Arjun Mk II battle tank.

Talking about STARS-V Mk III, Gowtama said: “The Radio (STARS-V Mk III) is completely designed, developed and made in BEL. The radio is a multi-brand, high data rate, software-intensive IP radio with mobile adhoc networking (MANET) functions supporting up to 64 notes.”

“This STARS-V Mk III will be ready by end of March, and 12 units will be supplied to the Indian Army for field trials. Once trials are over and based on the success, we are looking at the Army’s requirement of around 40,000 units that need to replace its old legacy radio,” he added.

For developing STARS-V Mk III, BEL has spent $7 million in R&D that includes technology, module and the product. The technology developed will be used for manpak, vehicle-based and handheld devices.

 

[ezsasa]

BEL to commercialise imaging, radio products

This STARS-V mentioned in the article
, they are talking about software defined radio isn't it?

RFI was released in Jan 17 I think....

 

[Indx TechStyle]

University of Hyderabad receives DRDO grant of Rs 113 crore for research

Vice-chancellor Appa Rao Podile addressing the media on Saturday along with Vipin Srivastava, pro-vice chancellor of the university. (Photo: Venkat Rao M).

HYDERABAD: The University of Hyderabad received grant of Rs 113 crore in the third phase from the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) for research on high energy materials.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, UoH vice-chancellor Appa Rao Podile explained that the grants will be utilised for 30 specific projects-22 in chemistry and 8 in physics will be taken up. "An expert committee recommended the proposals under phase III with 30 specific projects with a budget outlay of RS 113 crores for the next five years," said Appa Rao Podile.

According to a press release issued by the university, research focus will be at gaining deeper insights into the development of new explosive molecules, explosion process and explosives detection techniques. "We will work closely with identified DRDO labs and undertake projects with regular reviews and monitoring. It is a challenging task for the UoH to have heavy focus on applied research but the core and associate faculty members feel that it is possible to realize the set goals," reads the release.

It may be noted that in the first phase, the university received grant of Rs 34.79 crore in March 2005, Rs 57 crore in the second phase in June 2011.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

MIDHANI, NAL ink transfer of technology pact

DK Likhi, Managing Director, MIDHANI

Metal alloy manufacturer Mishra Dhatu Nigam (MIDHANI) and the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) have signed a deal that will enable the transfer of processing technology of nickel-titanium shape memory alloys (NiTi) to MIDHANI.

The Hyderabad-based indigenous strategic materials-maker plans to manufacture these alloys in the form of wires, strips, rods, springs and plates to meet the demands of the domestic industry. In the bio-medical sector, it will look at the stent market.

Currently, no alloy manufacturer in India makes the NiTi shape memory alloys commercially and they have to be imported.

The exclusive agreement was signed by DK Likhi, Chairman and Managing Director of MIDHANI, and Jitendra J Jadhav, Director, CSIR -NAL (National Aerospace Laboratories, Bengaluru).

The research and development work on the shape memory alloys was led by SK Bhumik of the Bengaluru lab, according to a press release from MIDHANI. NiTi shape memory alloys belong to a class of shape memory materials, which have the ability to ‘memorise’ or retain their previous form when subjected to certain stimulus such as thermo-mechanical or magnetic variations. Known by various other names such as smart metal, memory metal, muscle wire and intelligent material, they are fast-gaining acceptance in various sectors.

SMAs have caught the attention of aerospace industry with different computer engineering applications (actuators/sensors, smart coupling etc) and bio-medical applications (orthodontic wire, bone plate, stents etc) due to their special functional behaviour. Other sectors where their utility is growing are automotive, aerospace and robotics.

With this deal, the company will be entering the commercial market for ‘smart’ materials in the country.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

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[Kunal Biswas]

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[Kunal Biswas]

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[Prashant12]

DRDO's 2017 Flagship Products

 

[WolfPack86]

Post PMO Letter, 4-Lakh Defense Civilian Staff To Protest Privatization
BANGALORE: Four-lakh defense civilian employees from 430 defense unions working in 41 ordnance factories, 52 Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) labs, the army, navy and the air force are protesting what they term the Center's bid to privatize the defense sector. Massive demonstrations are planned across the country, coming close on the heels of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) seeking details from all the 41 ordnance factories.
"We will observe March 16 as a protest day against the policy of the NDA government to privatize the defense sector with 100% FDI," the All India Defense Employees' Federation (AIDEF) has said.
Stating that the government has already issued licenses to several private firms to make military equipment, the AIDEF, says: "These equipment are being made by the ordnance factories now. The recent PMO letter is causing serious concerns," C Srikumar, General Secretary, AIDEF said.
TOI had reported on February 22 that the PMO has sought these factories to "provide a complete listing of products manufactured along with a photo of each product, description of each product, number of items of each product produced in each of the last three year completed financial years, and value of production of each product in each of the last three completed financial years."
"The employees and their trade unions are in the dark about why the PMO is asking for all these from ordnance factories, where more and more work is being outsourced causing a serious threat to the future of recruitment especially of trained apprentices," the unions claim.
The Centre, however, has been clear that involvement of private industry so as to enhance indigenisation in defense production. Former Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar had, in February told TOI: "We will make it mandatory for all ordnance factories and defense PSUs to outsource a certain percentage of all their projects. We believe that it will only help these establishments and the country overall."'
The unions, however, say that the future of ordnance factories are at stake. "We have asked for a meeting with the Defense Minister to discuss the future. Apart from this, they are also agitated that demands relating to the seventh pay commission, such as increasing of minimum pay, revision of allowances et al are not being met.
http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2017/03/post-pmo-letter-4-lakh-defense-civilian.html

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Various Products of HAL by Foreign Input value

Mind the cost we can bring down!

 

[sthf]

Make performance & productivity based annual reviews and kick non performers to the kerb.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Defence PSUs are reinventing themselves
The Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH)
With competition hotting-up, public sector defence companies are attempting a comeback. Will they succeed?

Public-sector defence companies, the backbone of India’s indigenous defence production, presented a picture of overall optimism at the Aero India 2017. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), India’s premier defence aerospace manufacturer, displayed its combat aircraft like the Tejas and the licence-produced Su-30MKI, and helicopters like the Dhruv ALH, Light Combat Helicopter, and the Light Utility Helicopter. They unveiled the huge Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH), with an impressive full-scale mock-up. Beyond these were the HTT-40 turboprop basic trainer and the old HJT-16 Kiran, and other major licence-produced engines.

HAL’s Tejas is, at last, approaching Final Operational Clearance before entering service. While its limited payload/range performance restricts its ground attack capability, its exceptional agility makes Tejas ideal for air defence. As for exports, the supersonic advanced jet trainer variant may be more “exportable” than the fighter. The rejection of the overweight naval Tejas was a setback, but things are being sorted out. A total of 40 Tejas Mk1 and 83 upgraded Mk 1As are on firm order for the IAF. HAL still does not have an in-house design capability for engines. That is to be rectified with the design of two technology demonstrators, the HTFE-25 turbofan and the HTSE-1200 turboshaft helicopter engine. HAL could, some day, develop large engines for fighters and helicopters of its own design. However, HAL still needs to enhance quality control as well as maintainability and reliability of its products, some of which, like the Intermediate Jet Trainer, have fallen by the wayside.

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), set up to “develop cutting-edge technologies for the armed forces”, has a mind-boggling total production value of Rs 2,60,000 crore. DRDO has under it over 50 organisations. Its Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) had designed the Tejas, and is to start design work on the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The AMCA is to incorporate fifth-generation technology , including stealth – not excluding radar-absorbent paint. That is a trifle ambitious. Two foreign manufacturers have offered to help, – but they themselves have no experience of stealth.

Another DRDO product is the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system. It has multiple sensors mounted atop Brazilian Embraer 145 aircraft. DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory works on a range of advanced missiles, including the Akash medium-range surface-to-air missile, the Astra beyond visual range air-to-air missile for LCA and ACMA, and the much-delayed Nag anti-tank missile. Interestingly, the deadliest missile in the Indian arsenal is the Indo-Russian BrahMos Mach 3 cruise missile. It can be launched from land, sea or air. In the terminal stage of its flight against a ship, it can dive to sea-skimming height to avoid detection and interception. A number of these missiles can sink an aircraft carrier.

Work continues on the Agni family of ballistic missiles, some able to carry nuclear warheads. In an advanced stage is a two-tier Ballistic Missile Defence System, with low- and high-altitude interceptor missiles, realistically tested against a Prithvi ballistic missile. DRDO claims that “India is one of the only five countries in the world to have a ballistic missile defence programme”. Not every programme progresses smoothly to completion though. The Nirbhay 1,000 km range subsonic cruise missile had several failures, and was cancelled, but is being resurrected. It is also more vulnerable to interception than supersonic cruise missiles like BrahMos.

Another defence behemoth, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) makes defence electronics for every Indian aircraft, naval ship, missile and land vehicles. For Tejas, it makes nine items of equipment including the Digital Flight Control Computer and the Radar Warning Receiver. Its very diversified product range includes radars, electronic warfare equipment, Identification Friend or Foe, Head-up Displays, and electro-optical devices. Such products have also been used to upgrade older aircraft like the Jaguar and Mirage 2000.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research had set up the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) for research and development as well as design work. Their trisonic wind tunnel helps with high-speed aerodynamics research for HAL, DRDO and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). NAL’s advanced Saras turboprop aircraft, which had a fatal 2009 crash, was scrapped, and then resurrected. India’s aerospace industry has some good products, but is not yet world-class. That should be its main objective.

 

[Butter Chicken]

Britain's engineering major Rolls Royce and DRDO have been working on developing an engine for military jets and the UK is keen on many such joint projects, British Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said today.

After holding talks with Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, he said Britain has also agreed to having defence equipment cooperation with India for collaboration in developing military hardware, including air defence missile systems.



Sir Michael said the two sides also agreed to cooperate in readying aircraft carriers, which are under construction, for sea trials. The cooperation will cover technical aspects, training regimes and doctrines on deployment of the aircraft carriers.

On the jet engine project, Stephen Phipson, head of the UK's defence and security organisation in the departnment of international trade, said the gas turbine engine will have high-class military technology without elaborating on details.

"Together we can build one of the most efficient jet engines," he said.

Sir Michael, here on a four-day visit, stressed on deeper bilateral ties in defence production notwithstanding UK's strict export control regime. He said the British government had approved 99 per cent of all export licences for defence supplies to India last year.

"We want to see collaboration between our defence companies so that they can use India as launchpad for export to third countries," he said.

Replying to a question, he said there was no specific talks on fighter aircraft.

The Defence Secretary said the two countries agreed to continue bilateral defence exercises. Army, navy and air force of the two nations will have exercises this year.

The British Defence Secretary said the two sides resolved to ramp up cooperation to contain cyber crime, particularly in the financial services sector.

Identifying terrorism as a major threat, he said Britain wants to deepen cooperation with India in fighting the menace.

Referring to Afghanistan, he said the UK will work with India and other governments in the region to bring down tension in the war-ravaged country.

Asked about alleged corruption involving a British defence firm which is active in India, he refused to comment.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

http://www.business-standard.com/ar...ng-together-on-jet-engine-117041301162_1.html

 

[cobra commando]

How IIT-Delhi is making smart moves for India's defence

 

[kunal1123]

idrw.org
Dr Girish Deodhare is new ADA Chief
2-3 minutes


SOURCE: Mathrubhumi

Dr Girish Shantaram Deodhare is the new Director of Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). He replaces Cmde Cadaba Devnath Balaji (Retd), who retired on March 31, 2017.

As reported by Mathrubhumi earlier, Dr Deodhare was picked up by a Seacrh Committee headed by Dr V S R Arunachalam with Dr V K Aatre (both former heads of DRDO) and Air Marshal Philip Rajkumar (Retd) as its members.

Dr Deodhare was the Associate Program Director, New Programs and Systems Engineering and Technology Director, Integrated Flight Control Systems, ADA. Dr Deodhare, who took charge on Friday, will have around six years of service left. He is the 5th Director of ADA.

Hailing from Maharashtra, the 1963-born scientist-technocrat has been credited with developing the Flight Control System and CLAW (Control Laws) for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Tejas.

Dr Deodhare has his task cut out with the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) of Tejas being the most immediate milestone to cross.

A bit more on the new Tejas Chief

Dr Deodhare has a B.Tech (1984) in Electrical Engineering and M.Tech (1986) in Control and Instrumentation, from IIT Bombay. He holds a PhD (1990) in Control Theory from the University of Waterloo, Canada.

Dr Deodhare had earlier worked with the the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), a DRDO lab in Bengaluru. He moved to ADA in 2007 as the Technology Director.

He was handpicked by Dr A P J Abdul Kalam in 1992 to be part of the National Control Law Team to develop the Control Laws for the Tejas.

Speaking to Mathrubhumi on Friday, Shyam Chetty, former Director of National Aerospace Laboratories, said Dr Deodhare is a very practical person and an apt choice to spearhead the Tejas programme.

“He is theoretically very strong and a student of Prof Vidyasagar. He is an excellent human being and highly-qualified aerospace scientist. He is a 24×7 person and the right choice to head ADA,” says Shyam.

 

[Chinmoy]

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Now would integrated field shelter replace the FRP??? Gosh, just remembering those cold nights in FRP with Shingri in mid and canned mutton rogan josh with Macdowell XXX and sometimes Contessa...

 

[sthf]

Dr Girish Deodhare is new ADA Chief

I think it is time that India moves on from the Soviet/Russian model of appointing scientists as chiefs (with all due respect to the scientists) and hire professional CEOs like Western defence companies.

We have scientists who are very good at their jobs but management is not their cup of tea.

 

[Chinmoy]

I think it is time that India moves on from the Soviet/Russian model of appointing scientists as chiefs (with all due respect to the scientists) and hire professional CEOs like Western defence companies.

We have scientists who are very good at their jobs but management is not their cup of tea.

It would have its downside. CEO's would only mind results rather then the effort to achieve it. In that scenario, you would see much more off the shelf purchase of parts to assemble the final product to increase the number. For western countries its good as they have a huge domestic tech development and industries which are involved in it. But in case of India, this off the shelf purchase would mean death blow to any indigenous development.

Now in case of Tejas, we could be proud that atleast 70% of its parts is indigenous. This had been possible only because we had a scientist in helm. But with some professional CEO, he would have thought of it on a commercial viewpoint from day one and would have sought for numbers instead of leaning on the learning curve. It would have resulted an indigenous fighter with 80% imported components.

So both does have its own pros and cons. As of now, we need to back up and push for more in house designing and development and a scientist would be best for this role.

 

[Cutting Edge 2]

Jaitley hands over DRDO developed devices to forces
May 1, 2017, 23:04 [IST]

New Delhi, May 1: Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday handed over a number of devices developed by the DRDO to National Security Guard, Delhi Police and National Disaster Response Force.

The devices handed over to NDRF included 'E-Nasika', a hand-held equipment which is capable of rapid detection of chemical agents well below their toxic limits.

Jaitley also handed over to NSG an equipment called 'OTL-300'. It can instantly detect partially camouflaged optical elements, such as telescopes, binoculars and night vision devices. The 'OTL-300' was given to Delhi Police also. Another portable equipment, capable of remotely identifying explosives, was handed over to P S Purohit, additional director in Intelligence Bureau.

Read more at: http://www.oneindia.com/india/jaitley-hands-over-drdo-developed-devices-forces-2422822.html