2nd internal test should happen in near future, which is why we prob saw the integrated article. Not sure if they would publish or anything
Agni & Prithvi Ballistic Missiles : News & Discussions
- Thread starter Sathya
- Start date
HEMRL seem to have made progress in making better high energetic material for solid propellant fuel, specifically the Nitrate ester polymeric composite propellant, the NEPE based solid fuel used in western systems that they highly guard and never want to share outside of their circle. Previous research papers show indigenous work done on such compounds, as we know that drdo extensively use double base propellant for conventional systems and HTPB / composite propellant for strategic systems. These have reached a certain level in terms of specific impulse chiedly EDB being in 210-220 s range and composite propellant in the 240 s region, with the HTPB-AP-AL can demonstrate 240-245 s Isp.
Going beyond this and moving to nitrate ester polymeric compound based propellant, they have been able to show Isp in the range of 264-266 s which is a real progress , hence our new gen case bonded crmc look shorter and compact while keeping or bettering payload and/or reach. So as DRDO claim all the systems will likely get mk2 / NG whatever , where true veery long range systems will be possible without making the rocket look uncharacteristically big. So gradually from lab scale sample size, it is increased volume wise , casting method is developed, failure studies are conduucted and then finally when tech is mature it will flow into use for the futuristic very long range systems. It will be on par with the usa or french solid propellants in terms of isp range and burn rate/burn area eventually.
Going beyond this and moving to nitrate ester polymeric compound based propellant, they have been able to show Isp in the range of 264-266 s which is a real progress , hence our new gen case bonded crmc look shorter and compact while keeping or bettering payload and/or reach. So as DRDO claim all the systems will likely get mk2 / NG whatever , where true veery long range systems will be possible without making the rocket look uncharacteristically big. So gradually from lab scale sample size, it is increased volume wise , casting method is developed, failure studies are conduucted and then finally when tech is mature it will flow into use for the futuristic very long range systems. It will be on par with the usa or french solid propellants in terms of isp range and burn rate/burn area eventually.
pyro bolt system for stage separation mechanism by using gas generators. Pic: ASL DRDO
it seems they have been able to demonstrate at system level too now , possibly via in house testing or even flight test in the past year.
it seems they have been able to demonstrate at system level too now , possibly via in house testing or even flight test in the past year.
Quartz cyanate laminate and carbon phenolic laminate related papers , used as uhtc panels possibly. This will have increased application in many systems.
Dev cycle of crmc
Mfg process of composite pressure vessels
in practical application
Mfg process of composite pressure vessels
in practical application
will be interesting.besides, there are some hints of a possible new motor under work, lets see how things progress.
Wish we still had at least 1 rocket with liquid prop engine. At least the big P for rocket force.
Those gas bottles are probably what stores the liquid gases and chemicals of DOLP made important part systems ?
They are buying a good set of suites again after last year, I guess every project sanction cover the cost each time for new batch ? possibly some test in future. Interesting that very few strategic tests last year except Divyastra & A4 , maybe the ansp and AD tests can be considered.
They are buying a good set of suites again after last year, I guess every project sanction cover the cost each time for new batch ? possibly some test in future. Interesting that very few strategic tests last year except Divyastra & A4 , maybe the ansp and AD tests can be considered.
One of the patents application filed by ASL scientists back in 2023 , indicated they have all 3 types of solid propellants available within the country now. That is
Double base propellant Isp ~ 210-220s
conventional Composite propellant Isp ~ 240-243s
Enhanced composite propellant HTPB-AL-AP based with Isp ~ 252-254s
Nitrate Ester plasticised polyester based advanced high energy propellant called NG propellant with Isp ~ 264-266s
basically the first NEPE propellant stable version possibly mk1. With further improvement on binders combination no doubt the next version will deliver Isp > 270s that will be on par or better than some western HEM solid propellant. This will help in increasing range and payload, hint of which we have already seen across projects.
So together with using composite motors casing that saves 50-66% weight of the airframe, much improved additive mfg based shims, end rings, interstage etc the prospect is huge. It is not surprising that even the k15, the baseline strategic system if you go by capability (lowest dia, body retained throughout flight, spin as heat dissipation & control aerodynamic heating) is also getting a makeover.
Double base propellant Isp ~ 210-220s
conventional Composite propellant Isp ~ 240-243s
Enhanced composite propellant HTPB-AL-AP based with Isp ~ 252-254s
Nitrate Ester plasticised polyester based advanced high energy propellant called NG propellant with Isp ~ 264-266s
basically the first NEPE propellant stable version possibly mk1. With further improvement on binders combination no doubt the next version will deliver Isp > 270s that will be on par or better than some western HEM solid propellant. This will help in increasing range and payload, hint of which we have already seen across projects.
So together with using composite motors casing that saves 50-66% weight of the airframe, much improved additive mfg based shims, end rings, interstage etc the prospect is huge. It is not surprising that even the k15, the baseline strategic system if you go by capability (lowest dia, body retained throughout flight, spin as heat dissipation & control aerodynamic heating) is also getting a makeover.
^^ papers from the above scientists group (rocket motor internal insulation related) are very good esp post 2020 ones , all via restricted access though so if you have any chance to read it, will be good opportunity. I only have the pdf of 2020 and 2021 papers that are attached.
this last paper , age resistant low density peroxide cured epdm insulation for large rocket motors in 2024, is co-mentored by the current A5 and Mission Divyastra project director as well as the ASL Director who was also Project K5 PD before, named among the authors. So the implication is obvious and exactly matches with previous information. The patent application doc summery is also attached below which was available in open domain. It contains the abstract description.
The previous A6 system now termed as mission Divyastra , due to composite motor casing and improved propellant use has higher payload 2 ton 4 mirv petals compared to conical A5 with 1.5ton max payload. Almost certainly the yield is same or greater compared to single conical rv A5 (ie the nook yield of the entire 1.5ton payload rv now miniaturised into 1 or 2 smaller rv combined power, at a very conservative estimate).
The same go for slbm part too, like we saw hint via the mirv tech picture. Expanded mirv bus on the 2.4 dia rocket hold more petals, most likely powered by new improved HD1.1 class CP (evidence exists for that, K5 has 10 ton class HD1.1 propellant based solid motor). If the NG based NEPE solid propellant is used in future then K5 can morph into a K6 or mk2 whatever without needing a higher dia rocket motor. So we have many scope even now. Combination of these solid fuels with different stages (booster stage, upper stage, mirv bus 3rd stage) can give us many varieties like single RV large payload, mirv , dhvani like hgv variants, a hyperplane etc.
Speaking of fuels, DRDO have also developed Boron powder infused solid propellant for solid Ramjet related application, a boron based gel fuel is also in the making (same kind what the chinese keep bragging about even tho they are also developing and no final success yet). This solid propellant with Amorphous Boron power with HTPB binder samples have shown high Isp in 250s range and very promising for ramjet application. I do not know whether a solid fuel scramjet is also possible or not, but we have the hydrocarbon based endothermic fuel made for scramjet application. Hence many avenues for future applications are open due to development of enabling technologies.
All information are from open available sources.
this last paper , age resistant low density peroxide cured epdm insulation for large rocket motors in 2024, is co-mentored by the current A5 and Mission Divyastra project director as well as the ASL Director who was also Project K5 PD before, named among the authors. So the implication is obvious and exactly matches with previous information. The patent application doc summery is also attached below which was available in open domain. It contains the abstract description.
The previous A6 system now termed as mission Divyastra , due to composite motor casing and improved propellant use has higher payload 2 ton 4 mirv petals compared to conical A5 with 1.5ton max payload. Almost certainly the yield is same or greater compared to single conical rv A5 (ie the nook yield of the entire 1.5ton payload rv now miniaturised into 1 or 2 smaller rv combined power, at a very conservative estimate).
The same go for slbm part too, like we saw hint via the mirv tech picture. Expanded mirv bus on the 2.4 dia rocket hold more petals, most likely powered by new improved HD1.1 class CP (evidence exists for that, K5 has 10 ton class HD1.1 propellant based solid motor). If the NG based NEPE solid propellant is used in future then K5 can morph into a K6 or mk2 whatever without needing a higher dia rocket motor. So we have many scope even now. Combination of these solid fuels with different stages (booster stage, upper stage, mirv bus 3rd stage) can give us many varieties like single RV large payload, mirv , dhvani like hgv variants, a hyperplane etc.
Speaking of fuels, DRDO have also developed Boron powder infused solid propellant for solid Ramjet related application, a boron based gel fuel is also in the making (same kind what the chinese keep bragging about even tho they are also developing and no final success yet). This solid propellant with Amorphous Boron power with HTPB binder samples have shown high Isp in 250s range and very promising for ramjet application. I do not know whether a solid fuel scramjet is also possible or not, but we have the hydrocarbon based endothermic fuel made for scramjet application. Hence many avenues for future applications are open due to development of enabling technologies.
All information are from open available sources.
^^ No strategic tests so far this year. Hope they are not slowing down/freezing projects due to external pressure.
From around January to March-April testing is paused due to the turtle nesting event. This decision was taken in consultation with the Forest dept and other stakeholders, and this year already the nesting period started much early from November. So only a few small PDC pending tactical systems like vshorads , VL-SRSAM, mpatgm etc plus LR-AShM, akash etc were tested and Govt went with Divyastra in 2024 March pre election + 1 A4 training launch last year. We can see there are lots of testing currently ongoing in April due to schedule congestion.
Missile testing paused in Odisha to save sea turtles | Bhubaneswar News - Times of India
Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) will pause missile testing at Wheeler Island off Odisha coast during the mass nesting season of Olive
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
^^Hope they change policy until new test ranges are available, since monsoon time is also a no go for strategic testing. Given the China threat, systems like the A5 Divyastra must be deployed ASAP in numbers, and the necessary testing therefore, completed ASAP. To pause testing or Olive Ridley turtles, which are only vulnerable, not endangered or critical, is foolish under the current circumstances, at least until another test range is available.
it was per request from the state govt Sir.
As for the strategic weapon systems, almost all the agni series are in production at various stages as per the mods that are cleared for production. Some of these are with the metallic stages like A5 where the inventory lot is mostly one stage metallic and one composite. Once the validation trials are completed with new generation systems, these will start getting inducted. Everything is on schedule.
My special gallery just opened up lol - and I'm having a treat going through them! pic.twitter.com/fgwJzB9r4x
— Srivatsa RV (@rv_srivatsa) April 18, 2025
from the other thread link
CRMC skirt and shell making
CRMC skirt and shell making
Most likely a test specimen motor for failure analysis.
(pic: ASL )
(pic: ASL )
What’s this?
That cylindrical container in front of Dr Sheena Rani.
That cylindrical container in front of Dr Sheena Rani.
