Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) : News and Updates

[Ashwin]

DRDO's research lab developing solid booster propellants for BrahMos

Pune-based High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), which is a unit of DRDO, is developing solid propellant boosters for the BrahMos missile that was successfully test fired from a Sukhoi 30MKI on Wednesday.

Director of HEMRL, KPS Murthy informed about the development on Thursday during the inauguration of the 11th International High Energy Materials Conference and Exhibits (HEMCE-2017).

“A solid proponent booster, which is an important component of the BrahMos, is in its final stages of development. The requisites, which have been conducted in the recent past, have shown positive results and a final test, called mechanical vibration test, will be carried out next month. The propellant will thereafter be put to use in the missile,” Murthy was quoted saying in the report by The Indian Express.

The solid propellant boosters are used to provide initial thrust to a rocket or missile. Solid fuel, unlike other alternatives, can be stored safely for a longer period and be made available on a short notice.

The supersonic BrahMos missile is a key weapon in India’s armoury. The recent tests on the missile, that was jointly developed by India and Russia has proved the capability.

According to the scientists working with the unit, the development of the propellant is also important as indigenously manufactured fuel will make the missile production much more cost-effective.

"We have developed the solid propellant booster, a key component of the BrahMos missile, and we've carried out the requisite tests recently. The results of these tests were positive and have been evaluated by the Russian experts. A final test, which relates to mechanical vibration, will be carried out in December to pave the way for the induction," Murthy was quoted saying in a report by The Times of India.

Besides the propellant boosters, HEMRL is also developing green energetic materials that will minimise pollution. According to Murthy, HEMRL has already made steps in this direction and has developed two green explosives, that once successfully tested will be put to use by the armed forces.


DRDO's research lab developing solid booster propellants for BrahMos

 

[Himanshu]

India Develops Powerful Pulse Detonation Engine for Cruise, Anti-Tank Missiles

India’s state-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) claims to have developed a pulse detonation engine which is more powerful and has higher fuel efficiency than the gas turbine engines of flying systems currently.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – A paper issued by the DRDO said the engine can be used in cruise and anti-tank missile propulsion, unmanned aerial vehicles. After the basic engine, the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), a unit of DRDO, is now working on air breathing multi-tube, multi-cycle pulse detonation engine.
“After achieving single shot detonation in a single tube in liquid fuel, TBRL has achieved multi-cycle operation of 8 Hz in single PDS tube. TBRL is working on air breathing multi-tube multi-cycle pulse detonation engine with an objective to develop an air-breathing Pulse Detonation Engine (with throttling) to generate 2.5 kN of thrust for a duration of 30 minutes,” said the DRDO paper.

“This is a major step in the direction of developing advanced pulse detonation system and should be applauded. However, the challenge of developing indigenous flying engine is far from over and would require few other technological breakthroughs,” Ajey Lele, security analyst at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, told Sputnik.

Pulse detonation system is a mechanically simpler engine in comparison to the gas turbine engine, wherein the combustion wave travels at supersonic speeds relative to the unburnt fuel-oxidizer mixture. It utilizes repetitive detonations of the fuel-oxidizer mixture to produce thrust.

For flying systems, however, detonation requires a long tube length to accommodate required amount of energy input. TBRL has been working on a system to reduce the length of the engine so that it can be applied in systems like UAVs and other missiles system as well. “To reduce engine length, suitable devices are employed which reduce the length of the tube required for the transition from deflagration to detonation. A test rig was designed and established for conducting experiments with liquid fuel-air mixtures,” the paper added.

“Developing indigenous pulse detonation technology is a big achievement for Indian scientists. This technology is very important for the cruise, anti-ship missile and UAVs which will be used in manipulating speed and fuel efficiency of the missile or drones,” Rajiv Nayan, a missile technology expert said.

Last year in July-August, Russian scientists had successfully tested the first-ever pulse detonation rocket engine on clean fuel. Apart from Russia, the US became the first to have tested a pulse-detonation engine in 2008, though powering a plane and not a rocket. Since 2008, the US has not reported any further test or development work related to pulse detonation system.

“The exact reasons for the US leaving this project are not known. It is obvious that technological challenges are one reason. There could be a possibility that the performance of the engine may not have matched their requirements. TBRL's investments are expected to be based on a proper cost and benefit analysis,” Lele added.

 

[Aashish]

India gets a step closer to laser weaponry as DRDO successfully tests laser system
By
Shaurya Karanbir Gurung


NEW DELHI: In a leap towards building laser weapons capability, India has made a breakthrough in its efforts to develop directed energy weapons, or DEWs, that can potentially end future wars before they begin.

It’s not exactly what we saw in Star Wars films or Flash Gordon comics decades ago, but DEWs such as high powered lasers can destroy enemy missiles, aircraft and advanced weaponry based on electronic circuitry.

India’s primary defence research organisation Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently conducted a successful test of a laser system mounted on a truck, and plans are now afoot to create a more powerful laser with a longer range, people familiar with the development told ET.

Private companies such as Kalyani Group and Rolls-Royce are also looking to develop or build DEWs in the country. DEWs are weapons that produce a beam of concentrated electromagnetic energy. There are mainly two types of DEWs: high powered lasers and microwaves. DEWs are anti-personnel as they can cause intolerable burning of an area in the body and blindness, and anti-material as it can be used to destroy missiles, ships, UAVs and fry circuitry of equipment deployed in a battlefield.

While information is not available on whether India is developing microwave weapons, DRDO tested a 1KW laser weapon system mounted on a truck at Chitradurga in Karnataka towards August end. “The laser beam hit a target located 250 metres away,” an official said. “It took 36 seconds for it to make a hole in the metal sheet.” The test was conducted in the presence of then defence minister Arun Jaitley, the person said.

The next step is to test a higher powered laser, 2KW, mounted on the truck against a metal sheet located at a distance of 1 km. Two DRDO laboratories — Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) and Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC) — are currently working on developing the source for generating the laser, officials said. At present, the source of the laser, which is the “heart of the system”, is imported from Germany.

R

Other challenges include developing a cooling mechanism for the system that heats up when the laser beam is fired, ensuring a focused beam towards a distant target and optoelectronics, or optronics, involving lenses to create that focus, they said. “The weapon is not ready yet and it will take years for it to happen,” said an official. DRDO did not officially respond to a questionnaire on the subject sent by ET to it as of press time Wednesday.

Private companies too are looking to enter DEW space. A senior official at Kalyani Group said Kalyani Centre for Technology and Innovation is in the “initial stages” of developing DEWs. “We are identifying two segments: ‘lethality’ to kill and ‘survivability’ aimed at destroying incoming missiles,” the person told ET. “We will initially be working on the latter and are setting up a lab in Pune.”

Rolls-Royce’s global strategic marketing director Ben Story, in a conversation with ET had recently said that there are “conversations” happening between the company and India on DEWs.

A release by Press Information Bureau back in December 2013 had confirmed that DRDO’s CHESS and LASTEC were researching on DEWs and laser technology, respectively. A 2015 DRDO bulletin titled ‘Technology Focus’ stated that LASTEC with the help of a collaborator had developed a unit of 1kW ‘single mode fibre laser’ and work was on for developing 5kW and 9kW fibre laser sources.

LASTEC has also developed a 10kW Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL) and is working on developing a 30-100 kW vehicle-mounted COIL system, sources said.

India gets a step closer to laser weaponry as DRDO successfully tests laser system

 

[Shashank]

DRDO Develops 250 KW high-power Silver Oxide-Zinc Torpedo Batteries




DRDO has developed a 250 KW high-power silver oxide zinc torpedo batteries. The battery, which is used for heavyweight torpedo propulsion, will enhance the propulsion characteristics of the weapon. This will help in increasing the speed of torpedoes due to increased power from the present 100 kW to 250 kW, almost within the same space.

The current density required for a high-powered battery is of the order of 200 mA/cm2. This demands usage of a large amount of silver per ampere hour, a major part of which remains unrealized. To achieve the high battery voltage, a large number of cells need to be connected in series. These complexities often result into generation of high heat during discharging of the battery.

By the end of the discharge, internal heat generated in the cells leads to the situation where the electrolyte starts boiling. This results in spillage of electrolyte and resistance drop in battery. High temperature generated internally affects battery’s life cycle and its separators also.

Source DRDO
This requires working out of cell design, active material characterization, and optimal use of separator material. DRDO has developed a 250 kW secondary battery consisting of zinc as anode, silver oxide as cathode, and potassium hydroxide as electrolyte. It delivers 400 V on load at a discharge current of 625 A for a short duration of 5 min.



DRDO Develops 250 KW high-power Silver Oxide-Zinc Torpedo Batteries - DefenceLover

 

[Ashwin]

L&T SIGNS FIRST DRDO-TDF PROJECT FOR 'DEVELOPMENT OF LIGHT WEIGHT BULLET PROOF MATERIALS'

Indian Army’s very first Technology Development Fund (TDF) project has taken off the ground for Development of Light Weight Bullet Proof Materials for Indian soldiers on the Frontline.

Defence industrial major- L&T and its academia partner Amrita University were awarded the TDF certificate on Thursday by Raksha Mantri Nirmala Sitharaman in Chennai.

Mr Jayant D Patil, who is the Director on board of L&T and Head of Defence and Aerospace business recieved this TDF certificate from Ms Sitharaman.

L&T and Amrita have entered into an Agreement with DRDO acting through the Director Futuristic Technology Management & Technology Development Fund for grant of a technology development project titled Development of Light Weight Bullet Proof Materials.

L&T will be the Development Agency in collaboration with Amrita University as the technology development partner.

“We at L&T and Amrita University are hopeful of developing a game changing light weight body armour for the Indian soldier as a force multiplier for the brave men guarding our borders,” said Jayant D Patil, Director on Board and Head Defence and Aerospace L&T.

Dr Shantanu Bhowmik, the innovator of this technology at Amrita University said, “ We are very happy to have received the first TDF project. Along with L&T, we shall now set up 10 equipments to develop the composite panels for the light weight bullet proof jackets for Indian Army within two years.


This first TDF project gives shape to the vision of the former Deputy Chief of Army Lt Gen Subrata Saha and current Army Leadership to create a User-Industry-Academia ecosystem for developing cutting edge technologies that enable the Nation to Fight Indian Wars with Indian Solutions.

This TDF project is the result of an Army – Industry – Academia interaction conducted by Gen Subrata Saha in August 2016. It was in this trilateral interaction where the technology initiative of Dr Bhowmik at Amrita university advanced technology research centre was spotted.



As part of the extensive outreach program, Army had conducted 19 bilateral and 13 trilateral interactions, equipment displays, field visits leading to release of two volumes of Compendium of Problem Statements.

This Project, aims targeted development of an high performance thermoplastic polymeric composite with high energy absorbing characteristics so as to provide necessary bullet proof resistance to save lives of our soldiers facing enemy fire.

The technology targets use of Indigenously developed thermoplastic resins with carbon fibre fabric and processes for optimising the solution.

The product material so developed will be tested and validated before realising a light weight prototype vest within 24 months.

The proposed material configuration is unique and revolutionary compared to the current technology in use for the same application which uses hard ceramics and thermosetting resin based composites.

The proposed configuration proposes to provide a new methodology and unique solution for light weight bullet proof material for the required threat level and freeing our soldiers to carry useful payloads to fight more effectively.


The TDF grant will be used to set up a pilot scale facility at Amrita University for processing these materials, supporting research at Amrita University for developing the configuration, realisation and testing of panels and delivery of a prototype vest from the facility.


L&T’s new composites manufacturing unit being setup at Coimbatore in addition to the existing facility at Vadodara, and our in-house R&D will support this development effort and subsequent scale up.

 

[ni8mare]

 

[bonobashi]

L&T SIGNS FIRST DRDO-TDF PROJECT FOR 'DEVELOPMENT OF LIGHT WEIGHT BULLET PROOF MATERIALS'

Indian Army’s very first Technology Development Fund (TDF) project has taken off the ground for Development of Light Weight Bullet Proof Materials for Indian soldiers on the Frontline.

Defence industrial major- L&T and its academia partner Amrita University were awarded the TDF certificate on Thursday by Raksha Mantri Nirmala Sitharaman in Chennai.

Mr Jayant D Patil, who is the Director on board of L&T and Head of Defence and Aerospace business recieved this TDF certificate from Ms Sitharaman.

L&T and Amrita have entered into an Agreement with DRDO acting through the Director Futuristic Technology Management & Technology Development Fund for grant of a technology development project titled Development of Light Weight Bullet Proof Materials.

L&T will be the Development Agency in collaboration with Amrita University as the technology development partner.

“We at L&T and Amrita University are hopeful of developing a game changing light weight body armour for the Indian soldier as a force multiplier for the brave men guarding our borders,” said Jayant D Patil, Director on Board and Head Defence and Aerospace L&T.

Dr Shantanu Bhowmik, the innovator of this technology at Amrita University said, “ We are very happy to have received the first TDF project. Along with L&T, we shall now set up 10 equipments to develop the composite panels for the light weight bullet proof jackets for Indian Army within two years.


This first TDF project gives shape to the vision of the former Deputy Chief of Army Lt Gen Subrata Saha and current Army Leadership to create a User-Industry-Academia ecosystem for developing cutting edge technologies that enable the Nation to Fight Indian Wars with Indian Solutions.

This TDF project is the result of an Army – Industry – Academia interaction conducted by Gen Subrata Saha in August 2016. It was in this trilateral interaction where the technology initiative of Dr Bhowmik at Amrita university advanced technology research centre was spotted.



As part of the extensive outreach program, Army had conducted 19 bilateral and 13 trilateral interactions, equipment displays, field visits leading to release of two volumes of Compendium of Problem Statements.

This Project, aims targeted development of an high performance thermoplastic polymeric composite with high energy absorbing characteristics so as to provide necessary bullet proof resistance to save lives of our soldiers facing enemy fire.

The technology targets use of Indigenously developed thermoplastic resins with carbon fibre fabric and processes for optimising the solution.

The product material so developed will be tested and validated before realising a light weight prototype vest within 24 months.

The proposed material configuration is unique and revolutionary compared to the current technology in use for the same application which uses hard ceramics and thermosetting resin based composites.

The proposed configuration proposes to provide a new methodology and unique solution for light weight bullet proof material for the required threat level and freeing our soldiers to carry useful payloads to fight more effectively.


The TDF grant will be used to set up a pilot scale facility at Amrita University for processing these materials, supporting research at Amrita University for developing the configuration, realisation and testing of panels and delivery of a prototype vest from the facility.


L&T’s new composites manufacturing unit being setup at Coimbatore in addition to the existing facility at Vadodara, and our in-house R&D will support this development effort and subsequent scale up.

A Sainik School boy, @Ashwin!

 

[ni8mare]

 

[kurup]

View attachment 1643

Which ship is this ??

 

[ni8mare]

Which ship is this ??

FREMM multipurpose frigate - Wikipedia

 

[Himanshu]

 

[Ashwin]

 

[ni8mare]

View attachment 1672

^^^^^^^^^^^^
Dual Band Shipborne Tracking system

The Dual Band Shipborne Tracking system is a high precision tracking system for Aerial Target tracking on board ships. This fully automatic system has dual-frequency dual-polarized S & Ka band antenna that detects the desired target flying in any direction in 3D space, gets locked-on to the target and keeps on tracking it as per the requirement. While pointing towards the flying target, a 4-axes stabilized gimbal with antenna pedestal automatically compensates for the disturbances caused by ship dynamics up till sea-state-5 using intelligent algorithms. In addition, the system also tracks the target using thermal imagers.

This system has been developed indigenously and involved multiple engineering disciplines like antenna, RF, digital processing, servo & control and mechanical systems. This system is one of its kind in the world which uses two widely separated frequency bands (S & Ka) for target tracking. The usage of very narrow beamwidth Ka-band system, for tracking high speed targets from shipborne platforms, is another unique feature of the system.

Precision Monopulse Tracking Radar (PMTR)

The PMTR is a state-of-the-art Auto tracking System for tracking satellite launch vehicles. It is designed for fast acquisition and tracking of target and can share the track data with cluster of other Radars over digital data network.

PMTR is available in C-band (5.4 to 5.9 GHz) & S-band (2.7 to 2.9 Ghz) versions.

 

[hellbent]

Smart and Intelligent Soldier Jacket by IIT-Delhi and DRDO, under development

 

[hellbent]

DRDO ultra wide-band radar absorbing skin for aircrafts.Mostly probably being developed for AMCA and UCAVs, it will be nice if it ends up with LCA too.

 

[Ashwin]

 

[ni8mare]

• User trials of Medium Power Radar (MPR) Arudhra and Low Level Transportable Radar (LLTR) Ashwini have been completed.

https://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/pub/newsletter/2018/feb_18.pdf

 

[Butter Chicken]

India Locally Develops FSAPDS Ammunition for T-72, T-90 Battle Tanks

India’s state-owned Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) has conducted a successful penetration trial of the critically important Fin Stabilized Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (FSAPDS) ammunition, designed and developed for the Indian Army’s T-72 and T-90 main battle tanks.

“The trial results established the penetration capabilities of the indigenously designed FSAPDS ammunition, at par with NATO and Russian tank ammunition,” a DRDO document reads.

The ammunition is developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune, and the trial was conducted between November and December last year.

India, presently, imports FSAPDS for approximately 3,500 T-90 and T-72 tanks, worth over $70 million annually. Since 2012, the Indian Army has been relying on Russia for such critical ammunition, following the blacklisting of the Israeli Military Industry by the Indian government for alleged wrongdoing in military purchases.

“With low cost, low wear and moderate chamber pressures, this ammunition is extremely safe and effective up to combat ranges. The successful trials would pave the way for overcoming the shortage of tank ammunition for T-72 and T-90 Indian Army Main Battle Tanks,” DRDO said.

The Indian Army is facing a critical shortage of ammunition for its main battle tanks and plans to import a hundred thousand rounds to meet the immediate requirement, while promoting domestic manufacturing for future needs.Last year, in June, the Indian Army had issued a detailed tender for the acquisition of one hundred thousand FSAPDS, which can be fired to destroy enemy tanks and infantry combat vehicles.

Last year, the Indian defense ministry had also asked domestic manufacturers to supply ammunition worth $3 billion for the armed forces over the next decade. At present, the government-owned ordnance factories managing 41 manufacturing units and 32 other establishments have a monopoly over the production of ammunition. The Ministry of Defense had floated a tender for domestic private manufacturers for the supply of 125mm armor-piercing types for T-90 and T-72 tanks, 40mm multiple grenade launchers/under-barrel grenade launcher) ammo, 30mm ammunition used by armored infantry carrying vehicles, 122mm Grad rockets for Pinaka series and a bi-modular charge system.

FSAPDS ammunition is the most lethal kinetic energy ammunition, capable of destroying all known tank armor up to direct shooting range.

FSAPDS components are sensitive and sophisticated in nature and demand utmost care during their manufacturing and assembly. The dimension and weight accuracy in various components is maintained to very close tolerance limits to achieve the optimal overall performance of the ammunition.

 

[Himanshu]

TECHNOLOGY PERSPECTIVE AND CAPABILITY ROADMAP (TPCR) - 2018

Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap – 2018 (TPCR- 2018) provides to the industry an overview of equipment that is envisaged to be inducted into the Indian Armed Forces upto the late 2020s. This document intends to drive the technology development process that the industry may like to pursue. This roadmap may guide the industry in planning or initiating technology development, partnerships and production arrangements.

@Ashwin @ni8mare

 

[Ashwin]

TECHNOLOGY PERSPECTIVE AND CAPABILITY ROADMAP (TPCR) - 2018

Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap – 2018 (TPCR- 2018) provides to the industry an overview of equipment that is envisaged to be inducted into the Indian Armed Forces upto the late 2020s. This document intends to drive the technology development process that the industry may like to pursue. This roadmap may guide the industry in planning or initiating technology development, partnerships and production arrangements.

View attachment 1890

@Ashwin @ni8mare

Saw that. Thanks. Perspective primary ship numbers are disappointing.