Why do DRDO and Navy have to use such science project/ tech prototype sort of names for projects such as these ? Advanced Technology vessel , Technology Demonstration vehicle ..
That is ordinary development stage in every country. In this stage, the platform or vessel, vehicle is built to test the new scientific theory or technologies with minimum or even non consideration of actual usage consideration. It is purely a scientific research which can minimize the development risk.
in these day and age do they expect to hide these type of high priority strategic projects through such academic sounding names ?
Not all. In terms of transparence of weapon development, India is on par with US, Europe. How often did you hear this kind of tech demonstrator projects' name from Russia, China?