Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) : News and Updates
- Thread starter Ashwin
- Start date
ISRO chairman S Somanath on Thursday said that there was a lack of sufficient aerodynamic testing facilities in India and therefore, huge investments need to be made to create such facilities.Speaking at the #SAROD2024 "So, many of the test programs that were required to be done for the future aero vehicles were actually cut down and at one point we were told to do more simulations than testing.But, as time goes by, we realised that this is not the case. It became clear that the complementary nature of analysis and simulation with testing will continue. I think the present understanding is that it will continue stronger and more rigorously," Somanath said in his speech.He said that ISRO has a certain degree of test facilities, but only 30 per cent of the test requirements could be carried out internally for the Gaganyaan program."Much of the test requirements were not able to be met even with the national facilities and we had to go outside the country seeking help from many other testing agencies in the world to generate data..," he said
We need to build wind tunnels like this for fighter programs. The ADA team is flying to France to refine the design.
Can someone please download this chapter if they have Springer subscription?
link.springer.com
Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory: Relentless Journey Towards Materials Galore
Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) at Hyderabad had its origins as one of the earliest laboratories under the umbrella of the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) during 1958. DMRL was initially carved out of the Technical Development...
link.springer.com
DRDO currently has 328 ongoing projects (excluding strategic projects) amounting to approximately ₹99,898 crore (including User share). These projects are categorized as follows:
- 55 Mission Mode (MM) projects
- 197 Technology Demonstration (TD) projects
- 34 Infrastructure & Facilities (IP) projects
- 19 Science & Technology (S&T) projects
- 20 Product Support (PS) projects
- 3 User Trial (UT) projects
MRSAM, Astra are 2 that I know are in PS, akash also, the grenades, antennas that were procured before etc. Since you need product support for each inducted system, manpower need is huge of course. Hence the missile cluster chose dccp route, which should be the choice across the other labs too.
For future reference , AIP related
! Screw the haters
DEFENCE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION YEAR END REVIEW
- DRDO conducted a successful flight-test of the New Generation AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on January 12, 2024. The flight-test was conducted against a high-speed unmanned aerial target at very low altitude. During the flight-test, the target was successfully intercepted by the weapon system and destroyed. It has validated the functioning of the complete weapon system consisting of the missile with indigenously developed Radio Frequency Seeker, Launcher, Multi-Function Radar and Command, Control & Communication system.
- Four flight trials of High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) - ABHYAS were successfully carried out by DRDO from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur in Odisha during January 30 to February 02, 2024. The trials were conducted with four different mission objectives in a revised robust configuration using a single booster to provide reduced launch acceleration. During the flight trials, various parameters like required endurance, speed, manoeuvrability, altitude and range were successfully validated.
- DRDO conducted two successful flight tests of Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile on February 28 & 29, 2024 from a ground based portable launcher off the coast of Odisha from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. These tests were carried out against high speed unmanned aerial targets under different interception scenarios. VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) designed and developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian Industry Partners.
- DRDO conducted first successful flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. The flight test named Mission Divyastra was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.
- Strategic Forces Command, along with DRDO, conducted the successful flight-test of New Generation Ballistic Missile Agni-Prime from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on April 03, 2024. The test met all the trial objectives validating its reliable performance, as confirmed from the data captured by a number of range sensors deployed at different locations, including two downrange ships placed at the terminal point.
- Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile Weapon System, indigenously designed and developed by DRDO, has been field evaluated in different flight configurations several times with the objective of proving the technology with high superiority. The Warhead Flight Trials were successfully conducted at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Rajasthan on April 13, 2024.
- DRDO, along with researchers of IIT Delhi has developed Light Weight Bullet Proof Jackets named ABHED (Advanced Ballistics for High Energy Defeat) in the country for protection against 7.62 x 54 R API (Level 6 of BIS 17051) ammunition. The jackets have been developed at the DRDO Industry Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at IIT, Delhi. This jacket is based upon new design approach, where novel material along with new processes have been used. These jackets have been created from polymers and indigenous boron carbide ceramic material.
- Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) system was successfully flight-tested on May 01, 2024 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. SMART is a next-generation missile-based light-weight torpedo delivery system, designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to enhance the anti-submarine warfare capability of the Indian Navy far beyond the conventional range of lightweight torpedo.
- DRDO successfully flight-tested RudraM-II air-to-surface missile from Su-30 MK-I platform of IAF off the coast of Odisha on May 29, 2024. RudraM-II is an indigenously-developed solid-propelled air-launched missile system meant for Air-to-Surface role to neutralise many types of enemy assets. A number of state-of-the-art indigenous technologies developed by various DRDO laboratories have been incorporated in the missile system.
- DRDO handed over the Medium Range-Microwave Obscurant Chaff Rocket to the Indian Navy at a ceremony held in New Delhi on June 26, 2024. Microwave Obscurant Chaff, a niche technology developed by DRDO’s Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur, obscures radar signals and creates a microwave shield around platforms and assets, thus reducing radar detection.
- DRDO successfully flight-tested Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence System on July 24, 2024. The flight test fully met all the trial objectives validating complete network centric warfare weapon system consisting of Long Range Sensors, low latency communication system and MCC and Advance Interceptor missiles.
- DRDO has carried out successful maiden flight test of Long Range Glide Bomb, GAURAV from Su-30 MK-I platform of IAF. GAURAV is an air launched 1,000 kg class glide bomb capable of hitting targets at long distance. During the flight test, the glide bomb hit the target with pinpoint accuracy.
- DRDO and the Indian Navy have conducted back-to-back successful flight tests of the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile. The missile intercepted a high-speed aerial target, flying at a very low altitude and simulating a sea-skimming threat, which showcased its precision and capability to neutralise targets. The second consecutive test was conducted on September 13, 2024, from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha. This follows the earlier test on September 12, 2024, when the VLSRSAM missile effectively engaged another low-altitude target.
- DRDO conducted the maiden flight-test of Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on November 12, 2024 from a mobile articulated launcher. During the test, all sub-systems performed as per expectation and met the primary mission objectives.
- DRDO has successfully completed the Flight Tests of Guided Pinaka Weapon System as part of Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements Validation Trials. The flight tests have been conducted in three phases at different field firing ranges. During these tests, the PSQR parameters viz., ranging, accuracy, consistency and rate of fire for multiple target engagement in a salvo mode have been assessed by extensive testing of rockets.
- DRDO conducted a successful flight-trial of India’s first long-range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on November 16, 2024. This hypersonic missile is designed to carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1,500 kms for the Armed Forces.
- DRDO’s Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme encourages participation of public/private industries especially Start-ups and MSMEs to create an eco-system for enhancing the capabilities in cutting-edge technology and promoting ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence. Till date, a total of 78 projects, with a commitment of over Rs 333 crore, have been sanctioned to various industries, and 27 defence technologies have been successfully realised under the scheme.
- The Dare to Dream Innovation Contest is another avenue through which DRDO promotes innovators and start-ups by encouraging disruptive ideas and concepts in emerging technologies for enhancing defence capabilities. Till date 4 Pan India Dare to Dream Innovation contest were carried out and 52 start-ups and 65 individuals have been awarded under the scheme.
- DRDO provides support to academia to carry out Directed Research in the identified research areas related to Defence application through DRDO Industry Academia- Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoEs) to undertake translational projects by providing direction, technical interactions and project funding. So far, 15 DIA-CoEs have been established. They are at IIT BHU, IIT Jodhpur, IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Hyderabad, Gujarat University, IISC Bengaluru, Jammu University, Mizoram University, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, University of Hyderabad and Bharathiar University.
- DRDO has Grants-in-Aid Scheme for S&T projects under Extramural Research and under Research Boards. It also supports Exhibitions, inter school and inter college level competitions etc. besides paid apprenticeship scheme, internship to B.Tech/ M.Tech/ M.Sc Students. These have been initiated by DRDO to generate interest in defence technologies among school and college students.
- DRDO has created five Young Scientists Laboratories to attract young Scientists/Engineers to join DRDO and provide R&D environment in emerging engineering fields and advanced technologies such as AI, Quantum Technologies, Cognitive Technologies, Asymmetric Technologies and Smart materials.
- Collaborating with DRDO in the development of major weapon systems, the Indian industry has matured to a stage where they can develop systems on their own. Indian industry has progressed from a ‘build to print’ partner to ‘build to specification’ partner. DRDO test facilities have been opened to the industries for utilisation and more than 18000 tests have been carried out for private industries/DPSUs in the past three years. Segments like Missiles, Bombs etc. have been opened to private industries for development.
- DRDO being a Research and Development agency focuses on system definition, design and prototype development. The relevant industries are identified for production purposes as Development cum Production Partner or Production Agency. Development cum Production Partner (DcPP)/ Production Agency (PA) identified for more than 120 systems.
- DRDO has carried out more than 1,800 Transfer of Technologies (ToTs) to Indian Industry including both Private and public. ToT is being carried out as per the policy and procedure approved by Raksha Mantri. Development Cum Production Partner (DcPP)/ Development Partners (DP)/ Production Agency (PA) of DRDO are given Technology free of cost i.e at “Nil ToT Fee”.
- DRDO has a Policy for Free Access of DRDO Patents by Indian industries. This is likely to increase the technological capabilities of industries and enhance their competitiveness in global supply chain.
Some good points are in it.
www.firstpost.com
Key DRDO systems in 'final stages' of user evaluation or development trials: Defence Ministry
The DRDO had been granted ”More than 201 patents, and it had filed more than 226 patents in 2024."
User trials for Light Tank from this summer. He calls LRAShM a hypersonic glide missile; interesting nomenclature.
The engine mfg facility tender is due this week, last date is probably on 9th Jan.
