Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) : News and Updates
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Specification for 1500 hp Engine (According to tender)
Engine Type: 12 Cylinder, 4-stroke, V-90 configuration, Turbocharged, Intercooled, DI, liquid cooled Diesel Engine
Swept Volume: 25 dm3 (minimum)
Rated Power: 1100 kW as per ISO 1585 (w/o fan)
a) Performance at 55 C ambient temperature at sea level: No power reduction allowed
b) Performance at 1000m altitude: No power reduction allowed
c) Performance at 5000m altitude: Engine should be able to operate up to 5000m altitude safely. Minimum power reduction is permissible at this altitude.
Torque backup (min) : 18% at 60%-65% of rated engine speed
Maximum allowed rated speed: 2800 rpm
Power at 50% rated speed (min) : 610 kW
Power at idling speed (min): 140 kW
SFC at peak torque speed : 210 g/kW.hr (max)
Continuous over speed: 110% of rated speed
Instantaneous over speed: 125% of rated speed
Engine Dimensions: Engine with all its constituents will have the following dimensions:
Length: 1570 mm
Width: 1025 mm
Height: 1115 mm
Current engine (MTU 838 KA 501)
Engine Type: 12 Cylinder, 4-stroke, V-90 configuration, Turbocharged, Intercooled, DI, liquid cooled Diesel Engine
Swept Volume: 25 dm3 (minimum)
Rated Power: 1100 kW as per ISO 1585 (w/o fan)
a) Performance at 55 C ambient temperature at sea level: No power reduction allowed
b) Performance at 1000m altitude: No power reduction allowed
c) Performance at 5000m altitude: Engine should be able to operate up to 5000m altitude safely. Minimum power reduction is permissible at this altitude.
Torque backup (min) : 18% at 60%-65% of rated engine speed
Maximum allowed rated speed: 2800 rpm
Power at 50% rated speed (min) : 610 kW
Power at idling speed (min): 140 kW
SFC at peak torque speed : 210 g/kW.hr (max)
Continuous over speed: 110% of rated speed
Instantaneous over speed: 125% of rated speed
Engine Dimensions: Engine with all its constituents will have the following dimensions:
Length: 1570 mm
Width: 1025 mm
Height: 1115 mm
Current engine (MTU 838 KA 501)
IAF successfully tests home grown guided bomb off Odisha coast – Indian Defence Research Wing
The key projects which have been taken up by DRDO in the 12th FYP
5. Unmanned Small Airship System
Recently, ADRDE is working on Unmanned Small Airship System. This will be an autonomous guided and controlled platform with manual override capability. The Airship would be made up of PU coated fabric and would be filled up with Helium gas. Other systems such as Flight Controller, On Board Flight Controller, Obstacle Avoidance & Warning System, Propulsion System, Fin Control Surfaces, Gondola, Landing Gear etc. would be mounted on to the Airship.
Unmanned Small Airship System can be used for coastline surveillance, coastal area monitoring and Civil Management, Disaster Management, monitoring of airports / vital installations, Intruder detection etc.
Ground Based Mobile ELINT System (GBMES)
Ground Based Mobile ELINT System (GBMES) comprises of
one Control Station (CS)
and three Receiving Stations (RxS)
integrated in master slave concept to search, detection, monitor, record and process the hostile emissions as well as to find the location of the emitter fulfilling the strategic EW requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
One of the three Receiving Stations is also configured to operate in master slave configuration (with minimal degradation) in the absence of Control station.
Each Receiving Station contains three ELINT Receiver Segments in the 70MHz-40GHz frequency range. In addition, one COMINT Receiver Segment covering the 30 -1000MHz frequency range is employed to intercept, monitor the COMINT signals.
GBMES is envisaged to operate in the frequency range from 70 MHz to 40 GHz
covering Radar bands and 30 MHz to 1000 MHz communication bands. The system is capable of interception, analysis and location fixing of radar signals and interception, monitoring of communication signals.
The salient features of the system are as follows
• Wide Frequency coverage from 70MHz to 40GHz and COMINT segment 30-1000 MHz
• Achieve High Sensitivity & DF Accuracy with accurate Emitter Parameters
• Quad Superhet Receiver Front-end Technology
• Quad Digital Receiver Technology
• Built-in Radar Finger Printing System (RFPS)
• Location Fixing (LF) using triangulation
• Generate Electronic Order of Battle (EOB)
• Provide interface with onboard units i.e., GPS Receiver, SATCOM Link and Data Link Communication Unit of Air Force
Configuration of Ground Based Mobile ELINT System (Project HIMRAJ)
https://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/English/IITM/28______GBMES_(Project_HIMRAJ)_(1).pdf
‘Top DRDO and Army officers wrongfully sanctioned Defence projects’
Projects worth Rs 93 crore sanctioned allegedly without Army requirement
Pune: PK Mehta, Director General of city-based Armament and Combat Engineering Systems (ACE), a Defence Research and Development Organisation establishment, and Major General Ajay Gupta, Director of Ahmednagar-based Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) are facing allegations that they have misused their financial powers for sanctioning of fallacious defence projects costing Rs 93 crore.
A complaint was received by the Prime Minister Office and DRDO HQ, Ministry of Defence, about sanctioning of projects without project requirement from user - the Army in this case. The matter was reported by a serving officer of Indian Army to MOD and PMO.
The complaint letter dated March 11 states that the three defence projects were aggressively pursued by Gupta and sanctioned by Mehta in later half of 2017, without any requirement from the Army.
Corruption in DRDO
A highly placed source in DRDO lab, on condition of anonymity, told Sakal Times that the process of sanctioning of technology demonstration projects in DRDO has become very casual. The projects are being sanctioned without issuance of PSQRs from users’ (Army, Navy, Air Force) participation and requirement. He said, “It’s high time the Ministry conducts an enquiry in sanctioning of projects as there is lot of corruption going on in DRDO.
The sanctioning authority with Mehta is Rs 50 crore per project while Gupta’s power is Rs 5 crore per project. Together they have sanctioned projects worth Rs 93.67 crore.”
Mehta’s defence
When Sakal Times contacted Mehta, he said, “Many a times, users are not aware of the technology so there are projects which are sanctioned without their requirement. It is sanctioned only after being reviewed by various experts. Even after the sanctioning, we have to look for the outcome, because in research and development there are chances that a project can be a failure.”
“Interest of nation is most important and we have to be independent in the manufacturing of defence projects and we are working on it under ‘Make in India’ programme of government,” added Mehta.
Despite repeated attempts to contact Gupta on phone and through texts, he was not available for comment.
Experts fume
KK Mishra, Joint Director (Retd), DRDO, said, “How can they sanction the projects without requirement from users. Defence projects are not some college projects one should remember that huge amount of money is invested in them. Participation of user is required before sanctioning of such projects. Many a times senior authorities sanction such projects for their own benefits. In past also people have sanctioned projects and gained monetary benefits from them.”
Defence expert Lt Gen DB Shekatkar (Retd) said, “It is surprising that a project has been sanctioned without requirement of user. For procurement of any armament or equipment for armed forces, user requirement is necessary. Such matters should be inquired into by Army headquarters.”
THE THREE PROJECTS THAT WERE NEVER NEEDED
- The first project of the ‘Development of 70 T trailer for MBT Arjun MK-II tanks’ was sanctioned by Gupta on August 30, 2017 worth Rs 4.23 crore. The project was a Technology Demonstration (TD) project with the project no TD/17-18/ VRD.
- The second project, sanctioned by Mehta, was ‘Development of Armoured Personal Carrier (APC) 6X6 on September 25, 2017 worth Rs 49.49 crore (TD/17-18/VRD 67). The projected was pursued aggressively by Gupta.
- The third project, ‘Development of Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) CBRN was sanctioned by Mehta on November 8, 2017, worth Rs 39.955 Crore.
- These projects were sanctioned without any user requirement from Army.
MEHTA AND GUPTA'S MURKY PAST
- PK Mehta, DG (ACE), Pune is in the race to become next Secretary and DG of DRDO. His contender is Sudhir Mishra, Head Brahmos Missile.
- In 2017,a group of 12 young scientists of Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials (ACEM), Nasik has written to the then Defence Minister Manohar Parikarr and Dr S Christopher, Secretary and DG, DRDO about the harassment meted out to them by PK Mehta - going as to say that some of them will end their life.
- As reported by Sakal Times, Maj Gen Gupta is already under the CBI's scanner for compromising the establishment's security by meeting two foreign nationals of a private company without official clearance to do so.
Projects worth Rs 93 crore sanctioned allegedly without Army requirement
Pune: PK Mehta, Director General of city-based Armament and Combat Engineering Systems (ACE), a Defence Research and Development Organisation establishment, and Major General Ajay Gupta, Director of Ahmednagar-based Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) are facing allegations that they have misused their financial powers for sanctioning of fallacious defence projects costing Rs 93 crore.
A complaint was received by the Prime Minister Office and DRDO HQ, Ministry of Defence, about sanctioning of projects without project requirement from user - the Army in this case. The matter was reported by a serving officer of Indian Army to MOD and PMO.
The complaint letter dated March 11 states that the three defence projects were aggressively pursued by Gupta and sanctioned by Mehta in later half of 2017, without any requirement from the Army.
Corruption in DRDO
A highly placed source in DRDO lab, on condition of anonymity, told Sakal Times that the process of sanctioning of technology demonstration projects in DRDO has become very casual. The projects are being sanctioned without issuance of PSQRs from users’ (Army, Navy, Air Force) participation and requirement. He said, “It’s high time the Ministry conducts an enquiry in sanctioning of projects as there is lot of corruption going on in DRDO.
The sanctioning authority with Mehta is Rs 50 crore per project while Gupta’s power is Rs 5 crore per project. Together they have sanctioned projects worth Rs 93.67 crore.”
Mehta’s defence
When Sakal Times contacted Mehta, he said, “Many a times, users are not aware of the technology so there are projects which are sanctioned without their requirement. It is sanctioned only after being reviewed by various experts. Even after the sanctioning, we have to look for the outcome, because in research and development there are chances that a project can be a failure.”
“Interest of nation is most important and we have to be independent in the manufacturing of defence projects and we are working on it under ‘Make in India’ programme of government,” added Mehta.
Despite repeated attempts to contact Gupta on phone and through texts, he was not available for comment.
Experts fume
KK Mishra, Joint Director (Retd), DRDO, said, “How can they sanction the projects without requirement from users. Defence projects are not some college projects one should remember that huge amount of money is invested in them. Participation of user is required before sanctioning of such projects. Many a times senior authorities sanction such projects for their own benefits. In past also people have sanctioned projects and gained monetary benefits from them.”
Defence expert Lt Gen DB Shekatkar (Retd) said, “It is surprising that a project has been sanctioned without requirement of user. For procurement of any armament or equipment for armed forces, user requirement is necessary. Such matters should be inquired into by Army headquarters.”
THE THREE PROJECTS THAT WERE NEVER NEEDED
- The first project of the ‘Development of 70 T trailer for MBT Arjun MK-II tanks’ was sanctioned by Gupta on August 30, 2017 worth Rs 4.23 crore. The project was a Technology Demonstration (TD) project with the project no TD/17-18/ VRD.
- The second project, sanctioned by Mehta, was ‘Development of Armoured Personal Carrier (APC) 6X6 on September 25, 2017 worth Rs 49.49 crore (TD/17-18/VRD 67). The projected was pursued aggressively by Gupta.
- The third project, ‘Development of Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) CBRN was sanctioned by Mehta on November 8, 2017, worth Rs 39.955 Crore.
- These projects were sanctioned without any user requirement from Army.
MEHTA AND GUPTA'S MURKY PAST
- PK Mehta, DG (ACE), Pune is in the race to become next Secretary and DG of DRDO. His contender is Sudhir Mishra, Head Brahmos Missile.
- In 2017,a group of 12 young scientists of Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials (ACEM), Nasik has written to the then Defence Minister Manohar Parikarr and Dr S Christopher, Secretary and DG, DRDO about the harassment meted out to them by PK Mehta - going as to say that some of them will end their life.
- As reported by Sakal Times, Maj Gen Gupta is already under the CBI's scanner for compromising the establishment's security by meeting two foreign nationals of a private company without official clearance to do so.
DRDO at DefExpo 2018: Exhibiting the technology might
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), with a saga of achievements in last 60 years would be showcasing its flagship products during the DefExpo India – 2018, being held in Chennai from 11 – 14 April 2018.
An exclusive India Pavilion is being set up for the first time in DefExpo, which will showcase the combined strength of DRDO, Public and Private Sector in defence manufacturing.
DRDO is the largest exhibitor showcasing its innovations in all formats i.e. indoor, outdoor and live demo. DRDO is putting up flagship products and systems in two broad categories, one pertaining to technologies ready for transfer to industries for productionisation and the other pertaining to technologies ready for exports.
DRDO will be participating in the live demo for some of its indigenously designed and developed products, which includes Light Combat Aircraft – Tejas, Main Battle Tank Arjun MK-II, Arjun Armoured Recovery and Repair Vehicle (ARRV), T-72 Trawl, T-72 Bridge Layer Tank, Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhaP), Mobile Surveillance System and Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).
The outdoor exhibits include Nirbhay Missile System with Launcher, Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle (AUGV), MBT Arjun Mk-I, Astra Missile, Low Level Transportable Radar (LLTR) System, Medium Power Radar (MPR) System, Convoy Jammer, Multipurpose Decontamination System (MPDS), Varunastra - Heavy Weight Anti Submarine Electric Torpedo, Bio-Toilet, etc.
The indoor exhibit area would be having more than 400 exhibits. The exhibits include technologies pertaining to aeronautics, missiles, armaments, combat vehicles, naval systems, electronics, information warfare and life sciences. The pavilion also presents an array of digital experiences including war game simulation zone, augmented reality, virtual reality, physical simulators, etc.
During the event, Transfer of Technology (ToT) of DRDO developed products to Private Industry and DPSU Partners will be done in the presence of Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman on 11 April 2018 at the venue. Some of these include: ASTRA Missile, Varunastra - Heavy weight torpedo, Anti Thermal Anti Laser Grenade, Identification of Friend & Foe (IFF), HUMSA – UG, ABHAY Sonar, etc. A record number of 200 ToTs in the last three years with revenue generation to the tune of Rs 190 crore by DRDO has spurred the growth of defence manufacturing sector, echoing the theme of DefExpo - 2018, ‘India : The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub’.
A DRDO Press Conference addressed by Chairman DRDO & Secretary, Department of Defence R&D Dr S Christopher, will be held on 13 April 2018 at the venue.
DRDO’s participation in DefExpo – 2018 is expected to provide a platform for collaboration with industry and open out opportunities for export of defence technologies. DRDO welcomes one and all to its pavilion to get a first-hand account of capabilities of our nation in the area of advanced defence technologies and opportunity to share the pride of the vibrant DRDO community.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), with a saga of achievements in last 60 years would be showcasing its flagship products during the DefExpo India – 2018, being held in Chennai from 11 – 14 April 2018.
An exclusive India Pavilion is being set up for the first time in DefExpo, which will showcase the combined strength of DRDO, Public and Private Sector in defence manufacturing.
DRDO is the largest exhibitor showcasing its innovations in all formats i.e. indoor, outdoor and live demo. DRDO is putting up flagship products and systems in two broad categories, one pertaining to technologies ready for transfer to industries for productionisation and the other pertaining to technologies ready for exports.
DRDO will be participating in the live demo for some of its indigenously designed and developed products, which includes Light Combat Aircraft – Tejas, Main Battle Tank Arjun MK-II, Arjun Armoured Recovery and Repair Vehicle (ARRV), T-72 Trawl, T-72 Bridge Layer Tank, Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhaP), Mobile Surveillance System and Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).
The outdoor exhibits include Nirbhay Missile System with Launcher, Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle (AUGV), MBT Arjun Mk-I, Astra Missile, Low Level Transportable Radar (LLTR) System, Medium Power Radar (MPR) System, Convoy Jammer, Multipurpose Decontamination System (MPDS), Varunastra - Heavy Weight Anti Submarine Electric Torpedo, Bio-Toilet, etc.
The indoor exhibit area would be having more than 400 exhibits. The exhibits include technologies pertaining to aeronautics, missiles, armaments, combat vehicles, naval systems, electronics, information warfare and life sciences. The pavilion also presents an array of digital experiences including war game simulation zone, augmented reality, virtual reality, physical simulators, etc.
During the event, Transfer of Technology (ToT) of DRDO developed products to Private Industry and DPSU Partners will be done in the presence of Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman on 11 April 2018 at the venue. Some of these include: ASTRA Missile, Varunastra - Heavy weight torpedo, Anti Thermal Anti Laser Grenade, Identification of Friend & Foe (IFF), HUMSA – UG, ABHAY Sonar, etc. A record number of 200 ToTs in the last three years with revenue generation to the tune of Rs 190 crore by DRDO has spurred the growth of defence manufacturing sector, echoing the theme of DefExpo - 2018, ‘India : The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub’.
A DRDO Press Conference addressed by Chairman DRDO & Secretary, Department of Defence R&D Dr S Christopher, will be held on 13 April 2018 at the venue.
DRDO’s participation in DefExpo – 2018 is expected to provide a platform for collaboration with industry and open out opportunities for export of defence technologies. DRDO welcomes one and all to its pavilion to get a first-hand account of capabilities of our nation in the area of advanced defence technologies and opportunity to share the pride of the vibrant DRDO community.
Defence Research & Development Organisation DefExpo 2018 Press Conference By Dr Christopher
TLDR
@Aashish @ni8mare @GuardianRED @Himanshu @Parthu @Abingdonboy @BlackOpsIndia @Milspec @Aditya @Falcon @bonobashi
@Aashish @ni8mare @GuardianRED @Himanshu @Parthu @Abingdonboy @BlackOpsIndia @Milspec @Aditya @Falcon @bonobashi
- Navy chief suggested DRDO start with N-AMCA. (DRDO will take up which ever project MoD sanctions first)
- IN will not be going for single engine fighters (NLCA)
- IAF saying try will have 18 sqd of LCAs
- AMCA will start with GE F414 engine.
- Nirbhay air launched version next.
- Nag development trials completed now user trials start
- Brahmos-NG still in the proposal stage.
- Brahmos versions with more indian made components in making (Next booster).
- A version with improved propellant which will improve the speed of brahmos in development.
- Its up to HAL to chose between UTTAM radar or other OEMs for LCA mk1A
- New ATGM with heli and land versions is entering trials. (Reference to SANT)
- Long range SAM under development
- Three Rustom-2 (TAPAS) prototypes are available now. Its under payload trials (which will end this year) after that trials with users start.
- HAL-BEL will producing Rustom-2
- On railgun : Projectile of more than 100g at a speed of close to 2 km already tested. Program is a TD.
- Very long range radar (1000km+) in development.
- High endurance autonomous under water and surface vehicle under pre-development stage.
- New Project Prahari - Deep surveillance along border using aerostat.
- ATAGS : 8 prototypes + 40 LSP is confirmed now. (Both companies will make 20 each now)
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Nobody finds these developments bizarre?
On the one hand, a military officer asks for technology demonstration projects for equipment that is self-evident; Arjun tanks have to be transported, and one of the biggest objections raised against them by the Russian lobby has been that they cannot be carried on trains because their size and weight will not allow that (the Centurions, 7 tonnes lighter, went to the battlefield in 1965 on pogo sticks).
Another very popular Russian import is the APC; the original Russian version suffered from a ridiculous limitation, which readers are invited to look up for themselves. These rolling coffins for 20 infantrymen are widely used; we have (gasp!) 200 of them!!! That's a capacity of 200 APCs x 20 infantrymen each, or 4,000 infantrymen. That's it. Even the Russian lobby did not have the bare-faced gall to get more. However, the Topas (a joint Polish-Czech initiative, a version of the Russian APC made under license by those two countries from the 50s) does not have the hazard that makes such a death-trap of the BTR 50. If this is not the perfect target for indigenisation, considering that the original designs and even the revisions are nearly 70 years old, and considering that the numbers inducted are a fraction of those needed for carrying troops in safety and thus building mobile IBGs, it is difficult to see what is wrong with looking for tech demonstrators for this as well.
For those who will now jump up eagerly and point to the 2,700 BMP 2s in service, there is nothing to be done but to offer them a humble apology, especially as the distinction between an ICV carrying seven (7) soldiers and mounting a 30 mm automatic cannon and an APC carrying twenty (20) soldiers and armed only with integral machine guns is illusory. It is one and the same thing, when the witch-hunt against indigenisation supporting officers is on.
As for the third technology demonstrator sought by these two swindling rascals who have nearly wrecked the exchequer with their financial impropriety, that is a remote controlled vehicle. What is it needed for? The clue is in the mystic abracadabra CBRN. A hint: there is the possibility in battle on one of our fronts of having to cope with nuclear contamination, after a tactical nuclear device has been set off.
Do we need to check if a specific area is contaminated? Yes.
Do we have equipment, vehicles to do that? No.
Do we need them? Yes.
Shall we do a technology demonstrator? No, NO, NO! That way lies chaos! The Russians definitely have something; we can import them, one per IBG! Let's not get carried away and try to build them before we are goaded into doing a PQSR; that might lead to a prototype and to productionising in quick time, with no lever to grasp to tell the whole wide world that the DRDO has failed us once again!!
Who will do the PSQR? The actual users branch.
Who is the actual users' branch? The mechanised infantry.
How did they manage so long? Oh, DRDO showed no interest, so it was clear that nothing was to be expected of them, so nothing was done; imports were available, and imports were made. From Russia.
So the people responsible for preparing PSQRs are precisely those invested in the Russian lobby, and precisely those who will take 50 years to formulate a PSQR. By which time, of course, the present initiatives and work done, for instance, on the BMP 2 upgrade will be out of date. Terrible, the way these boffins shilly-shally.
And look at the timing. A scientist who kicked *censored*, and insisted on performance and time-bound performance (guess what is the biggest weakness of the DRDO system?) was met with whimpers of self-pity by the pampered lot of quote-driven layabouts who were asked to work to deadlines. All this just before the scientist concerned faces selection for the top position in DRDO.
What about the soldier?
He is in trouble for meeting two individuals, foreigners, from a private firm, without formal permission (for what?????) showing a weakness for foreigners and their technology.
He is in trouble now for sanctioning projects well within his discretionary powers, Rs. 4.23 cr. + 49.49 cr. + 39.955 cr. = 93.68 cr., against his sanctioning authority of Rs 50.0 cr. per project. That would mean an authority to sanction Rs. 150.0 cr., clearly shady behaviour.
What a bad attitude! showing a distinct disinterest in the very best of foreign technology.
Stupid fellow forgot the Government of India process: "Heads I win, tails you lose." Not fit for higher rank; forget about getting to be a PSO or even THE position.
Satya, Seleucus, ki bichitro ei desh!
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Who was the complainant? Or was it another anonymous complaint, of the sort that knocked out General Dikshit from the COAS position?
No, Sirree, Bob, here we go:
The letter was dated March 11; by April 13, two retired references, one from the DRDO, one from the Army, have been sought, and are being quoted. Quick work,
Oops.
Quick work, fearless, independent news managers, toiling night and day on investigative journalism.