DRDO, PSU and Private Defence Sector News

[Rahul Singh]

What is a difference between guidence kit and LGB?

LGB is basically as marriage of two different systems,
a. a free fall(dumb) bomb
b. a sophisticated two piece laser guidance kit.

Take the case of lockheed's Paveway II(1000 lb). It may sound as one but basically this bomb is made only few hours before flight by bolting GBU-16 kit on to a MK-84 free fall bomb. Picture in attachment is a LGB. The area under red bracket is, what appears to me a MK-82 free fall bomb and area under sky blue bracket is a two piece guidance kit(GBU-12 kit) bolted in front and tail of bomb. GBU-12's front section houses navigation computers + laser seeker(marked by black arrow) and four yaw and pitch controlling fins(marked by brown arrows). The rear attachment consists of deflectable large wings(4nos, marked by green arrows) for allowing whole system to glide. Rear wings poops out only upon release from fighter jet, before that they stay inside the area(marked by yellow arrows) to keep weapon induced drag on fighter jet minimum.

india developed both or tested former with foreign LGB?

As far as i know during 99 conflict IAF used IAI's Griffin laser guidance kit on dumb bombs for hitting pigs on Kargil heights with pinpoint accuracy.

 

[ppgj]

What kind of a capability can we materilize from this latest LGB Test in terms of affordibility, realiability and its operational use?

laser guidance, good though it is, suffers in terms of bad weather. clouds, dust can create problems.

The trouble is that laser-guided bombs are only accurate when the sky is clear. If cloud, or a sand storm, obscures either the targeting laser or the bomb's view of the target, then the weapon can go off course and wreak havoc. This happened during the last Gulf war and in Kosovo.

US gambles on a 'smart' war in Iraq - 19 March 2003 - New Scientist

hence GPS guidance is preferred.

And to what extent it will minimize our dependence upon foreign nations for similar technology and availibility?

india is a tropical country as is the rest of our neighbouring region. clear days make up most of the year. so Lasers are still good enough for us.

if india has developed the laser kits as the report says, then its dependance will naturally come down or even stop.

however, due to the limitations of the laser guidance, india is working on GPS too, as can be seen in Brahmos missile.

 

[Rahul Singh]

india is a tropical country. clear days make up most of the year. so Lasers are still good enough for us.

But we won't be bombing our own territory. Just kidding! Today laser guidance kit are also equipped with INS or GPS.

 

[enlightened1]

India tests laser guided bomb again​

http://frontierindia.net/iindian-tests-laser-guided-bomb-again​

http://frontierindia.net/iindian-tests-laser-guided-bomb-againhttp://frontierindia.net/iindian-tests-laser-guided-bomb-again

In continuation to the test of laser guided bomb kit on 21st January 2010, another trial of the bomb developed by ADE was conducted on 22nd Jan 2010. But this time, releasing it intentionally with 400 metres offset. Inspite of the initial offset, guidance system of the bomb ensured that it homes on accurately to the target. All the mission objectives were met in this trial also. LASTEC has developed the laser subsystem and CEMILAC has done certification of these air dropping trials.
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[sayareakd]

I would say that A3 as shown in the R Day is real ready to use missile this is what i found,

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8gXQngrI7x8/S18GuDjGRKI/AAAAAAAAAFI/c_1wOpbegOQ/s1600-h/A3.JPG

 

[RPK]

The Hindu : News / National : ‘DRDO technologies have immense everyday applications’

An IED handling robot exhibited by the DRDO. MoS for Defence Pallam Raju said the DRDO's research would be used extensively in everyday applications. File photo


Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju on Monday asked private industries to become motivational tools for scientists working in defence labs and harness the spin-off benefits of defence technology.

Addressing the gathering, after a Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Accelerated Technology Assessment and Commercialisation (ATAC) Programme here, Mr. Raju said some of the technologies developed by the DRDO’s 50 laboratories have immense applications in industry and everyday life.

V.K. Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and Director-General (Defence R&D), said the DRDO has unveiled a robust programme of collaborating both with public sector undertakings and private industry, and with academies. Academicians will help innovate, industry will assist in delivery, while the DRDO would serve as their interface, he added.

Over 100 scientists have worked with industry under the two-year-old ATAC programme, Dr. Prahlada, Chief Controller R&D (Services Interaction) of the DRDO said.

Identified

FICCI Secretary-General Amit Mitra said 45 technologies — including the Explosive Detection Kit, High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema Chamber, Electrochromic Glass, and Reverse Osmosis-based Mobile Water Purification System — have already been identified for commercial exploitation.

 

[p2prada]

laser guidance, good though it is, suffers in terms of bad weather. clouds, dust can create problems.

Fog that blankets North India in Winter and fog that is almost always present in the Himalayas is always a problem too.

 

[RPK]

Indian Research Agency Agrees to Tech Transfers - Defense News

Some key DRDO projects in the pipeline include the missile development program under the Integrated Guided Missile Program launched in the 1980s - theater missiles, the Nag anti-tank missile and Quick Reaction Missile, and the ballistic missile program, including the 3,000-kilometer-range Agni-3; the Sagarika cruise missile program; an advanced UAV project; an Airborne Warning and Control System program for the Indian Air Force; a mini nuclear submarine project for the Indian Navy; Light Combat Aircraft; and Medium Combat Aircraft.

 

[RPK]

The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Frontpage | If nuked, at least your water will be safe

New Delhi, Jan. 25: A water filter that can withstand a nuclear, biological and chemical attack and slake parched throats despite a mushroom cloud hovering will shortly be available in your neighbourhood mall.

If that isn’t enough, the government has also chosen the auspicious eve of the 60th Republic Day to mark half-a-dozen military technologies for the retail market today.

The filter, using reverse osmosis, was so far produced by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) only for frontline soldiers who are assessed to be the most vulnerable in the event of a tactical nuclear or biological attack in a war scenario.

An American outfit, Texas University’s IC2 Institute, was engaged by the Ficci after it entered into an agreement for a technology commercialisation programme for the DRDO.

The DRDO offered 125 products to IC2, which specialises in identifying and assessing technologies. The outfit selected six. They are:

A multi-insect repellent used by soldiers in counter-insurgency operations mainly in the Northeast. A memorandum of understanding was signed with Jyothy Laboratories and Alkali Metals for the transfer of knowhow and for its marketing.

Woolcare, another insecticide. MoU with Jyothy Laboratories.

Electrochromic window, a technology that allows soldiers in the desert to electronically regulate the flow of light and heat through the specialised glass into their bunkers. MoU signed with GSC Glass.

The nuclear-attack-protected Reverse Osmosis-based water purification system; MoU signed with Deltapure Water and Ariva Group.

Explosive detection kit that helps in analysing the contents of a bomb, for installation in airports, railway stations and public spaces; MoU with Vantage Security.

High altitude pulmonary oedema chamber, used by soldiers in Siachen. DRDO says it can also be used for the elderly who suffer from hypoxia (difficulty in absorbing oxygen). MoU with MGM Associates.

 

[nirmal]

Sir,
Any news of high altitude trials of Kaveri at gromov instt.,russia?

 

[enlightened1]

India gets naval weapon system to destroy enemy targets​

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article96586.ece?homepage=true​

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article96586.ece?homepage=truehttp://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article96586.ece?homepage=true

India has developed a new generation multi-sensor, multi-weapon defence system against enemy targets on board naval ships.

The state-of-the-art “Gun Fire Control System” (GFCS) developed by Bharat Electronics Limited will be installed on board the P-28 class of ships.

“The GFCS is a quick reaction, multi-sensor, multi-weapon, short/medium/long range defence system against air, surface or shore targets on board naval ships”, a senior official of the Bangalore-based Navratna defence PSU told PTI.

The GFCS is designed to provide air, surface or shore defence with 76 MM and 30 MM guns. Its purpose is to locate a hostile target using a radar or video tracker, acting on early warning search radars and to track its approach with high accuracy, in order to obtain reliable target data.

The data is further processed and used to control the weapons by pointing it in an exact ballistic firing position for eventual destruction of the target. The GFCS continues to track the approaching target, simultaneously pointing the weapon on it, until it is completely destroyed.

The GFCS comprises five functional sub-systems: tracker, weapon control, sight control, combat management system and support systems, each of which can be used as an independent system.

The GFCS for the P-28 class of ships would be “handed over” to Defence Minister A.K. Antony at a ceremony in Bangalore in the presence of BEL Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Kumar Datt on February 2.

A state-of-the-art facility, dedicated to manufacture of Digital Flight Control Computer (DFCC) for the Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas) at BEL’s Bangalore Complex will also come up.

DFCC is a multiple redundant (improving its reliability, one channel will take over if another fails) digital fly-by-wire flight control system of Tejas, which controls manoeuvring of the aircraft.

DFCC is a flight critical sub-system to be manufactured as per AS 9100 standards with stringent in-process and quality control processes, including environmental tests on each unit.

To meet this requirement, BEL has set up this integrated manufacturing facility for assembly, inspection and testing of DFCC, all under one roof.

The facility includes thermal cycling chamber, vibration machine, dehumidifying chambers for storing PCBs, high resolution inspection tools to identify process errors, automated test equipment for rigorous performance testing and engineering test station for testing the DFCC unit.

Keywords: Indian Navy, Gun Fire Control System, GFCS, Bharat Electronics Limited, BEL, P-28 class ships

 

[enlightened1]

LIVEFIST EXCLUSIVE: Indian Air Force/DRDO's Laser Guided Bomb Trial

 

[nitesh]

HEMRL, Pune has also developed Anti-thermal, Antilaser smoke grenade. Antithermal, Anti-laser smoke grenade is effective against second-and-third-generation laser finders, laser target designators, laser beam riding missiles, passive night vision devices, and thermal imagers operating in 8 -14 μm range. It is electrically fired from the launchers fitted on the tank.

DRDO news letter feb 2010

 

[RPK]

BRAHMOS: The most sophisticated cruise missile in the world :: Brahmand.com


BRAHMOS is not just transfer of technology but mutual production & upgradation of technology so as to ensure that country become self-sufficient in supersonic strategic missile capacity. Excerpts from an exclusive interview with Dr. AS Pillai published in the Super India Financial News (SIFN).

SIFN: Would you please tell us about BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile?

Dr. AS Pillai: BRAHMOS is a precision strike weapon for Army, Navy, Airforce. This universal missile can be fitted in ships, Mobile Launchers, Submarines and Aircrafts. The target can be any large value installation on ground, sea or shore.

The missile has flight range of up to 290-km with supersonic speed all through, leading to shorter flight time, consequently ensuring lower dispersion of targets, quicker engagement time and non-interception by any known weapon system.

It operates on 'Fire and Forget Principle' adopting varieties of flight trajectories on its way to the target. Its destructive power is enhanced due to large kinetic energy on impact. Its crusing altitude could be upto 15 km and terminal altitude is as low as 10 meters.

It carries a conventional warhead weighing 200 to 300 kgs. Compared to existing state-of-the-art subsonic cruise missiles, BRAHMOS has 3 times more velocity, 2.5 to 3 times more flight range, 3 to 4 times more seeker range & 9 times more kinetic energy.

SIFN: What is the basic aim behind development of supersonic missile?

Dr. AS Pillai: In Gulf war, more than 650 missiles were fired at different targets and 70% could have destroyed important targets deceiving enemy radars. Now there are attempts to intercept these subsonic cruise missiles. Hence it is necessary not to give indication that the missile is coming to targets. This can be done by increasing the speed and stealth characteristics of the missile. Today, India has an edge over other countries.

SIFN: What is the major significance of BRAHMOS missile?

Dr. AS Pillai: It reaches the target fast because of its high speed & secondly, it gives less time to the enemy to react. It creates massive damage due to its super speed because the Kinetic energy is velocity square. BRAHMOS is 9 times more powerful in destroying the targets compared to existing cruise missiles in the world. Indian Army is the only Land Force in the world to have supersonic precision strike cruise missile.

SIFN: When will BRAHMOS be introduced to all the branches of armed forces?

Dr. AS Pillai: Ship based Weapon Complex in Inclined and Vertical configuration & Land Based Weapon Complex with Mobile Autonomous Launchers are already in service with the Navy and Army. In the next two years Airforce will also have BRAHMOS missile. The development of air-launched version Su-30MKI is in progress.

SIFN: What is the basic objective behind taking over KELTEC?

Dr. AS Pillai: We wanted to increase our productive capacity. So, were looking at various options other than Hyderabad due to shortage of space. Kerala govt. approached the defence ministry for them to take over KELTEC. An offer was made to BrahMos and we were ready to take over KELTEC. Government agreed to invest Rs. 125 cr. to KELTEC for supporting BRAHMOS production and for upkeeping the manufacturing capabilities. So KELTEC was transferred as BrahMos Thiruvananthapuram Ltd. After being taken over by BrahMos there has been a total transformation. It is now an ISO 9100 certified aerospace industry, with high level of quality products being manufactured for ISRO, DRDO & BrahMos. Presently some of BrahMos subsystems are being produced there. In the next two years, integration of BRAHMOS missile will be carried out at the complex.

SIFN: What is the current production capacity & what is your future target?

Dr. AS Pillai: This is one of the most successful financial ventures for India and Russia With minimum investment maximum production has been achieved of a globally competitive product. Presently, we have a limited capacity. We are augmenting them to meet the requirements of Indian Armed Forces.

SIFN: Which countries do you want to export BRAHMOS missiles?

Dr. AS Pillai: There are a number of countries which are keen to have BRAHMOS missiles. It is upto the Indian and Russian Governments to decide which countries we can sell.

SIFN: What is your future expansion plan?

Dr. AS Pillai: We are working on many directions including new aerospace products. BRAHMOS-II should be our future prime product.

 

[RPK]

fullstory

Nishant's 'different' landing creates flutter

Bangalore, Jan 29 (PTI) Unmanned aerial vehicle Nishant today created a flutter when it landed at a location other than its designated landing place at the testing range of Defence Research and Development Organisation near Kolar in Karnataka.

The landing was mistaken for an accident by locals who saw the machine coming down, DRDO sources said.

DRDO personnel switched off the engine and enabled it to land softly with the help of on-board parachute, in a area filled with sand. It was landed at a different place "deliberately", a DRDO official said.

 

[RPK]

Defence research lab’s IED detection kits picked up for mass production - Express India


Pune When a NOIDA-based company begins mass manufacturing improvised explosive device (IED) detection kits later this year for the police and paramilitary forces it would be the logical end to a story that began in Pune about a decade ago. Since 2000, three different types of explosive detecton kits have been designed at the city-based High Energy Material Research Laboratory (HEMRL) which have sales potential in the national and international markets because of heightened security concerns.
This week, the Defence Research and Development Organisation signed an agreement with a private company in NOIDA to mass manufacture the explosive detection kits created by HEMRL.

“This is the first technology of HEMRL that has been picked up by a private company for mass production,” said A Subananda Rao, HEMRL director. While the kit has been supplied to the Border Security Force, the Army and the police, mass production would make it even more accessible to local security agencies, said Rao.

The first explosive detection kit made by HEMRL allowed the user to identify any explosive with the help of chemicals present in the kit; the change in colour of the substance would indicate a particular explosive. “After the initial kit was made, we got feedback from the police that they would like us to device a spray which would work in a similar manner. With the spray, there is no need for the user to physically collect the samples,” said Reny Roy, one of the scientists who worked on the kit. Recently, the HEMRL developed a disposable palm-sized explosive detection kit, which scientists say is easier to carry around. “All the three kits have been given to the company,” Roy said.

This private-public partnership is an initiative promoted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the DRDO for certain upcoming technologies.

“This kit would be very useful in pre and post disaster activities,” said Nirankar Saxena, executive director for technology commercialisation, FICCI. Along with its use in public governance, he said, the industrial setup would also find this kit useful in prevention of disasters. The kit also had good export potential, he said.

 

[Rahul Singh]

So, Nishant have a flight endurance for 5 hrs. This is very impressive. Interesting to see how much endurance Nishant NK-2 packs.

 

[RPK]

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[neo29]

Nishant UAV Crashlanded during a Test Flight

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Nishant, which was on a test flight, crashlanded in an agricultural land at Chikkatumutagiri in Bangarpet taluk on Friday following technical problem. The UAV was scheduled to land at Defence Research and Development and Development (DRDO) premises at Muduwadi Hosahalli in Kolar taluk. The vehicle was launched at 11 am and was scheduled to return at 4 pm after flying over Hosur in Tamil Nadu. However, it developed problems around 2.45 and crashlanded with a loud sound. Wings were damaged in the accident. No one was injured in the accident.

On hearing the thud, a teacher and students in a nearby school rushed out and saw the damaged vehicle. In Bangalore, a DRDO spokesperson denied that the UAV had crashlanded. However, he confirmed that the UAV was the advanced version of Nishant.

Spokesperson Jayaprakash maintained that the wings of the UAV were slightly damaged when the aircraft landed on an uneven ground. "The area where the UAV landed was earmarked for emergency landings and it landed using a parachute. The villagers assumed it was a crash," he claimed.He also said that there was no significant damage and that the aircraft was going to be used again.

http://theasiandefence.blogspot.com/search/label/India

 

[RPK]

EXCLUSIVE: AESA Programme For Tejas Scans For Development Partner
http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/02/exclusive-aesa-programme-for-tejas.html

India's homegrown AESA radar programme appears to be gathering pace. The Bangalore-based Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a laboratory under the DRDO, has invited bids from global radar houses to be the development partner (DP) for India's in-house active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for the LCA Tejas programme. In a tender issued on December 4 last year, LRDE wants the partnership to be initiated with the supply of an Active Array Antenna Unit (AAAU) supplied by the development partner chosen.

According to the bid invitation, India wants the development partner to be responsible for "detailed design, development and realisation" of (a) antenna panel constisting of main antenna, guard antenna and sidelobe cancellation antenna, (b) transmit/receive modules/groups, (c) RF distribution network consisting of RF manifold/combiners, RF interface, (d) antenna/beam control chain consisting of T/R control and T/R group control, and (e) array calibration/BITE among other areas. The final requirement in the comprehensive list of ten requirements from the development partner is listed as "AAAU Integration on Tejas A/c", confirming that the radar is indeed for a future tranche of the Tejas, or possibly, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

"DP (development partner) must have experience in design, development, integration, testing and flightevaluation of AESA Radar systems for fighter class of aircraft. DP must ensure that the items/components used for the development of AAAU are not protected by International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). DP must have delivered AESA class of operational systems for fighter class of aircraft meeting delivery schedules of the international customers," the bid invitation states.

Photos by Shiv Aroor / 1. Raytheon APG-79 AESA antenna modules, Naval Air Station Lemoore, USA & 2. LCA Tejas at Aero India 2009