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2017: A year when India's Defence Research and Development Organisation, armed forces gained more strength
By Hemant Kumar Rout | Express News Service | Published: 30th December 2017 03:08 AM |
Last Updated: 30th December 2017 12:53 PM | A+A A- |
Scientists at the DRDO. (Express File Photo)
BHUBANESWAR: It was a year of happenings for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the armed forces. Apart from enhancing safety and security of the country, providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, modernisation of the Armed Forces, supporting indigenisation and manufacturing of defence equipment were the main features.
The country’s premier agency had achieved many milestones in its strategic missile programme.
Successful flight trials of indigenously developed first long range sub-sonic cruise missile Nirbhay, Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) and supersonic cruise missile BrahMos from fighter jet Sukhoi-30 MKI besides dedicating Naval submarine INS Kalvari to the Nation were highlights of the year.
While with the remarkable success of 1000-km range Nirbhay trial on November 7, India demonstrated its capability to develop long range cruise weapon systems, successive trials of homegrown interceptor missiles in both exo and endo atmospheric regions strengthened the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) shield.
Related Article
India's homegrown supersonic interceptor takes down ballistic missile, landmark victory for DRDO
DRDO's homegrown quick reaction missile QRSAM successfully test fired off Odisha coast
Indigenous Nirbhay missile to be test-fired again: DRDO
Indigenous Kaveri engines might power trains in the future, says DRDO
Rare feat for DRDO: Hat-trick tests of Indo-Israeli missile successful
Nirbhay, country’s first indigenously designed and developed cruise missile, achieved grand success during fifth trial saving the project from being scrapped after three failures and one partial success.
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DRDO also conducted three successful flight tests of its newly developed short range QRSAM. QRSAM is a highly mobile air defence system which can destroy multiple targets at a distance of 25 km. Though the missile is yet to get a formal name, it is expected to supplement the surface-to-air missile Akash, capable of hitting targets 30 km away.
Supersonic cruise missile BrahMos being test fired for extended range on Saturday. | Express Photo Service
World’s fastest supersonic cruise missile BrahMos created history on November 22 as fitted with advanced seeker software, the high speed missile was successfully flight-tested first time from frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30 MKI marking a major milestone in enhancing the precision strike capability of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Earlier on March 11, while maiden test of extended-range BrahMos was a copy book success, its Block-III version was successfully test fired on May 2. The technology upgrade came after India’s full membership to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) which removed caps on the strike range of BrahMos. The range of the missile has been now enhanced from 290 km to 450 km.
Meanwhile, work has begun to integrate the BrahMos missile on 40 Sukhoi combat aircraft which is expected to fulfil critical needs of the IAF in the wake of evolving security dynamics in the region. The project is expected to be completed by 2020.
After 15 years in the making, Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), Astra completed its developmental trials this year .The indigenously built missile capable of detecting and destroying highly manoeuvrable targets, moving at a supersonic speed, will soon be inducted in the armed forces.
The third generation ‘fire and forget’ Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) Nag has also completed developmental trials paving the way for its induction in the armed forces. The indigenously developed missile equipped with Imaging Infrared Radar (IIR) seeker was flight tested thrice from a range in Rajasthan on June 13 and September 8 and it successfully hit targets under different conditions. Surface-to-air missile ‘Akash’ was successfully test fired for the first time with a home-made radio frequency seeker against target Banshee. The missile was successfully flight tested five times between November 28 and December 5.
In July, the DRDO had signed a pact with the Army for developing a medium-range surface to air missile (MRSAM) which will be capable of shooting down ballistic missiles and aircraft. The missile capable of engaging multiple aerial targets at a range of more than 50 km will be produced in collaboration with the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
On March 2, Navy successfully conducted maiden firing of an Anti-Ship missile from first of the indigenously built Kalvari class submarines in the Arabian Sea. All six Kalvari class submarines being built in India will be equipped with this anti-ship missile, which has a proven record in combat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the naval submarine to the nation in December describing it as a prime example of ‘Make-in-India’.
DRDO scientists received appreciation for the successful user trial of 4000-km range Agni-IV missile on January 2 but drew criticism for the failures of Agni-II and K-4 missiles on May 4 and December 17. This year, DRDO and Strategic Forces Command (SFC), a specially raised missile-handling unit of the Army had conducted at least 27 trials of 12 missiles - Agni-IV, Agni-II, PDV interceptor, AAD interceptor, BrahMos, Akash, Astra, Prithvi-II, QRSAM, Nag, Nirbhay and K-4.
The first ever tri-services exercise INDIRA between India and Russia was conducted in October. Another flagship event of the year was the first ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by all-women crew on Indian Navy sailing INSV Tarini, which was flagged off on September 10 and is expected to return to Goa in April 2018.
INS Kiltan (ANI Twitter Photo)
INS Kiltan, the third ship of Project-28 Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) Corvette was commissioned on October 16. This is the first major warship with entire superstructure made of carbon fibre reinforced composite material.
The first DRDO designed and developed Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) system, aboard Embraer-145 aircraft, was inducted in the IAF in February. The state of the art Active Electronically Scanned Array-based radar system can detect airborne objects from far off distances and provide early warning to the Air Defence Command and Control Centres.
SPYDER Low Level Quick Reaction Missile system, equipped with Python 5 and Derby missiles, has also been inducted into the IAF. This system provides a comprehensive response to the saturation attacks with multiple target engagement, thus boosting the short range air defence capability. Among the indigenously developed air launched weapons, flight trials of 500 kg General Purpose (GP) Bomb was conducted from Su-30 MKI in May besides the thermobaric bomb from MiG-27 aircraft and captive flight trials of Stand-off Anti Tank missile from Mi-35 helicopter.
A timeline
December 28 and March 1 - Advanced Area Defence (AAD) interceptor test fired fromKalam Island off Odisha coast
June 4, July 3 and December 22 - QRSAM test fired from Integrated Test Range atChandipur
December 17 - Submarine-launched K-4 missile could not be launched from pontoon
November 29 to December 5 - Surface-to-air missile Akash test fired five times
November 22 - Maiden air launch of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos from Sukhoi-30MKI successful
November 7 - Subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay clears crucial test
September 11 to 15 - Air-to-air missile Astra completes developmental trial
September 8 and June 13 - Anti-tank missile Nag completes developmental trial at thewestern range in Rajasthan
June 2 - SFC conducts user trial of nuke capable Prithvi-II missile
May 4 - SFC carries out user trial of Agni-II missile
May 2 - Block-III version of BrahMos missile test fired
April 21 - BrahMos cruise missile test fired from warship Teg
March 11 - Maiden test of extended range BrahMos successful
March 2 - Navy conducts test of an anti-ship missile from INS Kalvari
February 11 - Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) interceptor successfully destroysincoming missile at exo-atmospheric region
January 2 - User trial of 4,000 km Agni-IV achieves grand success
2017: A year when India's Defence Research and Development Organisation, armed forces gained more strength
By Hemant Kumar Rout | Express News Service | Published: 30th December 2017 03:08 AM |
Last Updated: 30th December 2017 12:53 PM | A+A A- |
Scientists at the DRDO. (Express File Photo)
BHUBANESWAR: It was a year of happenings for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the armed forces. Apart from enhancing safety and security of the country, providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, modernisation of the Armed Forces, supporting indigenisation and manufacturing of defence equipment were the main features.
The country’s premier agency had achieved many milestones in its strategic missile programme.
Successful flight trials of indigenously developed first long range sub-sonic cruise missile Nirbhay, Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) and supersonic cruise missile BrahMos from fighter jet Sukhoi-30 MKI besides dedicating Naval submarine INS Kalvari to the Nation were highlights of the year.
While with the remarkable success of 1000-km range Nirbhay trial on November 7, India demonstrated its capability to develop long range cruise weapon systems, successive trials of homegrown interceptor missiles in both exo and endo atmospheric regions strengthened the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) shield.
Related Article
India's homegrown supersonic interceptor takes down ballistic missile, landmark victory for DRDO
DRDO's homegrown quick reaction missile QRSAM successfully test fired off Odisha coast
Indigenous Nirbhay missile to be test-fired again: DRDO
Indigenous Kaveri engines might power trains in the future, says DRDO
Rare feat for DRDO: Hat-trick tests of Indo-Israeli missile successful
Nirbhay, country’s first indigenously designed and developed cruise missile, achieved grand success during fifth trial saving the project from being scrapped after three failures and one partial success.
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DRDO also conducted three successful flight tests of its newly developed short range QRSAM. QRSAM is a highly mobile air defence system which can destroy multiple targets at a distance of 25 km. Though the missile is yet to get a formal name, it is expected to supplement the surface-to-air missile Akash, capable of hitting targets 30 km away.
Supersonic cruise missile BrahMos being test fired for extended range on Saturday. | Express Photo Service
World’s fastest supersonic cruise missile BrahMos created history on November 22 as fitted with advanced seeker software, the high speed missile was successfully flight-tested first time from frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30 MKI marking a major milestone in enhancing the precision strike capability of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Earlier on March 11, while maiden test of extended-range BrahMos was a copy book success, its Block-III version was successfully test fired on May 2. The technology upgrade came after India’s full membership to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) which removed caps on the strike range of BrahMos. The range of the missile has been now enhanced from 290 km to 450 km.
Meanwhile, work has begun to integrate the BrahMos missile on 40 Sukhoi combat aircraft which is expected to fulfil critical needs of the IAF in the wake of evolving security dynamics in the region. The project is expected to be completed by 2020.
After 15 years in the making, Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), Astra completed its developmental trials this year .The indigenously built missile capable of detecting and destroying highly manoeuvrable targets, moving at a supersonic speed, will soon be inducted in the armed forces.
The third generation ‘fire and forget’ Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) Nag has also completed developmental trials paving the way for its induction in the armed forces. The indigenously developed missile equipped with Imaging Infrared Radar (IIR) seeker was flight tested thrice from a range in Rajasthan on June 13 and September 8 and it successfully hit targets under different conditions. Surface-to-air missile ‘Akash’ was successfully test fired for the first time with a home-made radio frequency seeker against target Banshee. The missile was successfully flight tested five times between November 28 and December 5.
In July, the DRDO had signed a pact with the Army for developing a medium-range surface to air missile (MRSAM) which will be capable of shooting down ballistic missiles and aircraft. The missile capable of engaging multiple aerial targets at a range of more than 50 km will be produced in collaboration with the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
On March 2, Navy successfully conducted maiden firing of an Anti-Ship missile from first of the indigenously built Kalvari class submarines in the Arabian Sea. All six Kalvari class submarines being built in India will be equipped with this anti-ship missile, which has a proven record in combat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the naval submarine to the nation in December describing it as a prime example of ‘Make-in-India’.
DRDO scientists received appreciation for the successful user trial of 4000-km range Agni-IV missile on January 2 but drew criticism for the failures of Agni-II and K-4 missiles on May 4 and December 17. This year, DRDO and Strategic Forces Command (SFC), a specially raised missile-handling unit of the Army had conducted at least 27 trials of 12 missiles - Agni-IV, Agni-II, PDV interceptor, AAD interceptor, BrahMos, Akash, Astra, Prithvi-II, QRSAM, Nag, Nirbhay and K-4.
The first ever tri-services exercise INDIRA between India and Russia was conducted in October. Another flagship event of the year was the first ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by all-women crew on Indian Navy sailing INSV Tarini, which was flagged off on September 10 and is expected to return to Goa in April 2018.
INS Kiltan (ANI Twitter Photo)
INS Kiltan, the third ship of Project-28 Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) Corvette was commissioned on October 16. This is the first major warship with entire superstructure made of carbon fibre reinforced composite material.
The first DRDO designed and developed Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) system, aboard Embraer-145 aircraft, was inducted in the IAF in February. The state of the art Active Electronically Scanned Array-based radar system can detect airborne objects from far off distances and provide early warning to the Air Defence Command and Control Centres.
SPYDER Low Level Quick Reaction Missile system, equipped with Python 5 and Derby missiles, has also been inducted into the IAF. This system provides a comprehensive response to the saturation attacks with multiple target engagement, thus boosting the short range air defence capability. Among the indigenously developed air launched weapons, flight trials of 500 kg General Purpose (GP) Bomb was conducted from Su-30 MKI in May besides the thermobaric bomb from MiG-27 aircraft and captive flight trials of Stand-off Anti Tank missile from Mi-35 helicopter.
A timeline
December 28 and March 1 - Advanced Area Defence (AAD) interceptor test fired fromKalam Island off Odisha coast
June 4, July 3 and December 22 - QRSAM test fired from Integrated Test Range atChandipur
December 17 - Submarine-launched K-4 missile could not be launched from pontoon
November 29 to December 5 - Surface-to-air missile Akash test fired five times
November 22 - Maiden air launch of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos from Sukhoi-30MKI successful
November 7 - Subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay clears crucial test
September 11 to 15 - Air-to-air missile Astra completes developmental trial
September 8 and June 13 - Anti-tank missile Nag completes developmental trial at thewestern range in Rajasthan
June 2 - SFC conducts user trial of nuke capable Prithvi-II missile
May 4 - SFC carries out user trial of Agni-II missile
May 2 - Block-III version of BrahMos missile test fired
April 21 - BrahMos cruise missile test fired from warship Teg
March 11 - Maiden test of extended range BrahMos successful
March 2 - Navy conducts test of an anti-ship missile from INS Kalvari
February 11 - Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) interceptor successfully destroysincoming missile at exo-atmospheric region
January 2 - User trial of 4,000 km Agni-IV achieves grand success
2017: A year when India's Defence Research and Development Organisation, armed forces gained more strength
So two failures is not that bad. Over all balancesheet for 2017 is good.
A timeline
December 28 and March 1 - Advanced Area Defence (AAD) interceptor test fired fromKalam Island off Odisha coast
June 4, July 3 and December 22 - QRSAM test fired from Integrated Test Range atChandipur
December 17 - Submarine-launched K-4 missile could not be launched from pontoon
November 29 to December 5 - Surface-to-air missile Akash test fired five times
November 22 - Maiden air launch of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos from Sukhoi-30MKI successful
November 7 - Subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay clears crucial test
September 11 to 15 - Air-to-air missile Astra completes developmental trial
September 8 and June 13 - Anti-tank missile Nag completes developmental trial at thewestern range in Rajasthan
June 2 - SFC conducts user trial of nuke capable Prithvi-II missile
May 4 - SFC carries out user trial of Agni-II missile
May 2 - Block-III version of BrahMos missile test fired
April 21 - BrahMos cruise missile test fired from warship Teg
March 11 - Maiden test of extended range BrahMos successful
March 2 - Navy conducts test of an anti-ship missile from INS Kalvari
February 11 - Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) interceptor successfully destroysincoming missile at exo-atmospheric region
January 2 - User trial of 4,000 km Agni-IV achieves grand success
A timeline
December 28 and March 1 - Advanced Area Defence (AAD) interceptor test fired fromKalam Island off Odisha coast
June 4, July 3 and December 22 - QRSAM test fired from Integrated Test Range atChandipur
December 17 - Submarine-launched K-4 missile could not be launched from pontoon
November 29 to December 5 - Surface-to-air missile Akash test fired five times
November 22 - Maiden air launch of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos from Sukhoi-30MKI successful
November 7 - Subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay clears crucial test
September 11 to 15 - Air-to-air missile Astra completes developmental trial
September 8 and June 13 - Anti-tank missile Nag completes developmental trial at thewestern range in Rajasthan
June 2 - SFC conducts user trial of nuke capable Prithvi-II missile
May 4 - SFC carries out user trial of Agni-II missile
May 2 - Block-III version of BrahMos missile test fired
April 21 - BrahMos cruise missile test fired from warship Teg
March 11 - Maiden test of extended range BrahMos successful
March 2 - Navy conducts test of an anti-ship missile from INS Kalvari
February 11 - Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) interceptor successfully destroysincoming missile at exo-atmospheric region
January 2 - User trial of 4,000 km Agni-IV achieves grand success
Helina was a 2 way link missile like Astra with guidance based on radar as well as seekers at the end stage. Helina was not just a NAG missile fired from helicopter. SANT is a longer ranger version.
In missile technology, technology can be borrowed from one missile to another. For example, Rajendra Radar was detecting the artillery shell in nearby military trial range. So, DRDO scientists got an idea and made Swati radar. Same way, Astra could be launched from mobile platform and hence they made QRSAM from it. NAG was made from the experience in making 2nd generation ATGM without seekers. Seekers were made along with Astra seekers. Helina combined the seeker and algorithm of NAg but used radar guidance from Astra. So on....
Wrong, SANT is a new development from Nag and QRSAM has nothing to do with Astra. Of course, they borrow tech from each other.
Nag seekers were made from experience of Astra seekers? Don't make stupid statements.
Seekers were made simultaenously. In technology, things are borrowed. I am not just speaking of hardware but also algorithm and software. Yes, most missiles with precision guidance etc are shared technology. Even Brahmos seekers can be derived from the other seekers with modifications
What are you talking about ? Nag have IIR seeker and Astra Ku band.
That is why I spoke of "algorithm and software". The seekers don't just work on the basis of transmission and emission. If that was the case, reverse engineering of the T/R module of the imports would have been the only thing needed. The algorithm to detect, identify and strike etc are very important. These are software side and can be shared.
The kuband seeker or IIR seeker has different methods of transmission and reception but the algorithm of guidance and interception is similar
Nice save. Don't know can algorithms can be similar. Nag is anti tank and Astra is anti air. Please, don't reply just for the sake of it.
He lives in a theoretical world.Where you can make thousands of planes and tanks a year,keep waiting for indigenous engines and radars in Tejas before mass production,10-20 small nuclear bombs have no significant impact on a country,all seekers all missiles and all algorithms are almost interchangeable.
Practicality has nothing on this guy.
Don't waste your time bro.You won't be able to compete with his logics and justification.
You are simply mentally unstable who is incapable of giving any reasoning and simply endlessly arguing without any direction. I don't need your retarded opinions at all. Practicality is not based on your whims and fancies but on actual limiting factors and constraintsHe lives in a theoretical world.Where you can make thousands of planes and tanks a year,keep waiting for indigenous engines and radars in Tejas before mass production,10-20 small nuclear bombs have no significant impact on a country,all seekers all missiles and all algorithms are almost interchangeable.
Practicality has nothing on this guy.
Don't waste your time bro.You won't be able to compete with his logics and justification.
@Ashwin Nag can be anti-tank as well as anti-aircraft like MANPADs. I hope you know that Javelin can fire against aerial, naval and land targets. Even Helina can shoot down enemy helicopters. Astra can take out low level helicopters and A10 type CAS planes.
I have never bothered to response to you even once before this post.
Since,I never gave you any of my opinions .
YOU ARE WELCOME.
If you are arguing on this line at least show some technical rationale, not your hunch.
Again wrong, Nag/Helina is a multi seeker missile and not comparable to MANPADs which is also one-third lighter. Both are designed for different purposes.
I am only saying that NAG is capable of being MANPAD. It has 3 seekers but they work together to make the missile work in all temperature condition, not degrade the performance. I also know that MANPADs are very light. That is mainly because the aircrafts are lighter than tanks in armour. It is less than 25% of NAG in weight, even lighter than MPATGM.
The technical rationale is that detecting algorithm, analysing or elements in a given volume algorithm are similar and experiece gained in making one platform can be used to modify it into another platform
