Cross post : Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) : News and Updates
TLDR
- 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)
A Closer Look At DRDO’s New Generation Anti-Radiation Missile
With the Indian Air force (IAF) looking to seriously enhance its standoff strike capabilities, there is a newfound emphasis on the creation of air to surface missiles (ASMs) for varying roles by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). If we keep aside the air-launched version of the Indo-Russian Brahmos, the most advanced indigenous ASM in terms of development is the so called New Generation Anti-Radiation Missile (NGARM) being developed by DRDO’s Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), which is India’s oldest missile laboratory. As its name suggests, NGARM is meant to be used to engage enemy radar sites and communications nodes emitting at radio frequencies (RF) with precision. It would be worthwhile to take a brief look at this system which was showcased in a video released by the IAF on the occasion of its 85th anniversary in 2017.
Passive Homing
NGARM was sanctioned for development in 2012 at a cost of Rs 317.20 crores with a project completion date (PDC) of December 2017. However, that PDC has been extended according to DRDO sources and developmental trials are still underway. Like most other anti-radiation missiles (ARMs), NGARM’s primary guidance system is an on-board passive homing head (PHH) with broadband capability, which allows it to discriminate and lock on to a target of interest among a number of emitters available in its field-of-view (FoV).
Image 1: Location of the PHH on NGARM. Source: DLRL
This 2-D PHH has been developed by DRDO’s Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) and can detect RF emissions from up to a 100 km away. DLRL’s PHH operates in the D-J frequency band and has a wider FoV than legacy PHH’s used on imported systems. It also has a compact front-end owing to the use of monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) technology.
Image 2: Low Band and High Band elements of the PHH. Source: DLRL
The PHH of course comes into play when the target is actually emitting. In legacy systems, a memory based autopilot using purely inertial guidance would typically keep the missile on an intercept trajectory towards the last known location of an emitter as detected by the PHH, once the target had stopped emitting. The actual success rate of such systems against relocatable emitters as well as those that were manned by well-trained crews maintaining strict discipline with respect to the duration of emission was very low. It was only with the advent of on-board inertial navigation systems (INSs) that could use updates from a global positioning system (GPS) to remove accumulated errors, that the success rate of ARMs showed significant improvement. NGARM, of course, has an on-board INS that can receive multi-constellation updates.
End-game
But what promises to make NGARM a truly contemporary system, is the fact that it can also be equipped with a millimeter wave (MMW) seeker which likely operates in the W- band for the endgame. This is very much in keeping with Western trends towards the use of terminal guidance on ARMs to counter emitter shutdowns. MMW-based terminal guidance means that by simply shutting down their radars quickly or by changing position and/or using decoys, enemy operators do not ensure the survivability of their systems. A good MMW seeker head should be able to discriminate between decoys and actual targets and also locate emitters that have packed up and are on the move within an arc of a few km.
To make the fullest use of its terminal homing capability, NGARM is propelled by a dual-pulse solid rocket motor built by Premier Explosives Limited (PEL) under transfer of technology from DRDO’s High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), that allows it to strike targets between 15 to 100 kilometres (km) away and can be launched from a Su-30 MKI flying at altitudes of 0.1 to 15 km. The missile is capable of operating in both lock-on-before-launch (LOBL) and lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) modes.
The dual-pulse propulsion (DPP) scheme is an outgrowth of the work done by DRDO’s missile complex and Premier Electronics Limited (PEL) for the long range surface to air missile (LRSAM) project, which is the first system for which DRDO has fielded a DPP motor. For NGARM, a DPP motor will allow it to reduce the reaction time that enemy mobile radars will have once they have been targeted during the close-in stage. Indeed, the combination of MMW-based terminal guidance and the DPP scheme certainly holds the potential for NGARM to become a truly lethal system for enemy radars.
Representative Image: Dual Pulse Propulsion Scheme For the LRSAM. Source: HEMRL
The imaging capability of its seeker will also help NGARM attack the most vulnerable parts of radar systems such as the antenna etc, by using the target’s characteristics available on the database of the missile’s on-board processor (OBP).The fact that NGARM uses a laser proximity fuze (LPF) for detonating its warhead (which is specifically designed to attack key radar parts) is also indicative of a desire to fully exploit the imaging capability of its terminal guidance scheme to accurately target the most vulnerable parts of an enemy emitter.
Status
Some earlier reports suggesting that the IAF was concerned about the weight of NGARM as compared to imported systems and was therefore not too keen on it, have been proven to be unfounded. NGARM has successfully cleared both captive flight trials (CFTs) as well drop flight trials (DFTs) from Station 8 of an IAF Su-30 MKI whose AKU-58 launcher was modified to receive the NGARM. Here are clippings from those trials as shown on the IAF’s 85th Anniversary Video:
Source: IAF
The first lot of CFTs, held in May 2016, were done with the objective of ‘proving mechanical integration aspects of the missile to SU-30MkI for the carriage envelope conditions’, according to DRDO. DRDO also says that ‘The post flight data analysis has shown that all the structural design parameters were within the predicted bounds and based on the results, NGARM is cleared for carriage conditions at station 8 on Su-30MKI’. Moreover, the DFT conducted during December 2016, from Air Force Station Kalaikunda proved that NGARM could be safely released from Station 8 of an IAF Su-30 MKI. This DFT saw NGARM being released from a Su-30 MKI flying at an altitude of 6.5 km and a speed of 0.8 Mach. As on date, NGARM is also being qualified for carriage and subsequent separation release with Station numbers 5,6 and 7 on two Su-30 MKI being used for this purpose.
Though it is primarily meant for carriage by the IAF’s Su-30 MKI, the missile will also be compatible with the Mirage 2000 TI and Jaguar. As far as the missile itself is concerned, laboratory test trials with NGARM’s radome for selected frequencies have been completed and the static firing of its rocket motors at sea-level conditions has also been done. As such, NGARM is headed for powered flight trials later this year once all residual CFTs and DFTs are complete.
Saurav Jha is the Editor-in-Chief of Delhi Defence Review. Follow him on Twitter@SJha1618
With the Indian Air force (IAF) looking to seriously enhance its standoff strike capabilities, there is a newfound emphasis on the creation of air to surface missiles (ASMs) for varying roles by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). If we keep aside the air-launched version of the Indo-Russian Brahmos, the most advanced indigenous ASM in terms of development is the so called New Generation Anti-Radiation Missile (NGARM) being developed by DRDO’s Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), which is India’s oldest missile laboratory. As its name suggests, NGARM is meant to be used to engage enemy radar sites and communications nodes emitting at radio frequencies (RF) with precision. It would be worthwhile to take a brief look at this system which was showcased in a video released by the IAF on the occasion of its 85th anniversary in 2017.
Passive Homing
NGARM was sanctioned for development in 2012 at a cost of Rs 317.20 crores with a project completion date (PDC) of December 2017. However, that PDC has been extended according to DRDO sources and developmental trials are still underway. Like most other anti-radiation missiles (ARMs), NGARM’s primary guidance system is an on-board passive homing head (PHH) with broadband capability, which allows it to discriminate and lock on to a target of interest among a number of emitters available in its field-of-view (FoV).
Image 1: Location of the PHH on NGARM. Source: DLRL
This 2-D PHH has been developed by DRDO’s Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) and can detect RF emissions from up to a 100 km away. DLRL’s PHH operates in the D-J frequency band and has a wider FoV than legacy PHH’s used on imported systems. It also has a compact front-end owing to the use of monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) technology.
Image 2: Low Band and High Band elements of the PHH. Source: DLRL
The PHH of course comes into play when the target is actually emitting. In legacy systems, a memory based autopilot using purely inertial guidance would typically keep the missile on an intercept trajectory towards the last known location of an emitter as detected by the PHH, once the target had stopped emitting. The actual success rate of such systems against relocatable emitters as well as those that were manned by well-trained crews maintaining strict discipline with respect to the duration of emission was very low. It was only with the advent of on-board inertial navigation systems (INSs) that could use updates from a global positioning system (GPS) to remove accumulated errors, that the success rate of ARMs showed significant improvement. NGARM, of course, has an on-board INS that can receive multi-constellation updates.
End-game
But what promises to make NGARM a truly contemporary system, is the fact that it can also be equipped with a millimeter wave (MMW) seeker which likely operates in the W- band for the endgame. This is very much in keeping with Western trends towards the use of terminal guidance on ARMs to counter emitter shutdowns. MMW-based terminal guidance means that by simply shutting down their radars quickly or by changing position and/or using decoys, enemy operators do not ensure the survivability of their systems. A good MMW seeker head should be able to discriminate between decoys and actual targets and also locate emitters that have packed up and are on the move within an arc of a few km.
To make the fullest use of its terminal homing capability, NGARM is propelled by a dual-pulse solid rocket motor built by Premier Explosives Limited (PEL) under transfer of technology from DRDO’s High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), that allows it to strike targets between 15 to 100 kilometres (km) away and can be launched from a Su-30 MKI flying at altitudes of 0.1 to 15 km. The missile is capable of operating in both lock-on-before-launch (LOBL) and lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) modes.
The dual-pulse propulsion (DPP) scheme is an outgrowth of the work done by DRDO’s missile complex and Premier Electronics Limited (PEL) for the long range surface to air missile (LRSAM) project, which is the first system for which DRDO has fielded a DPP motor. For NGARM, a DPP motor will allow it to reduce the reaction time that enemy mobile radars will have once they have been targeted during the close-in stage. Indeed, the combination of MMW-based terminal guidance and the DPP scheme certainly holds the potential for NGARM to become a truly lethal system for enemy radars.
Representative Image: Dual Pulse Propulsion Scheme For the LRSAM. Source: HEMRL
The imaging capability of its seeker will also help NGARM attack the most vulnerable parts of radar systems such as the antenna etc, by using the target’s characteristics available on the database of the missile’s on-board processor (OBP).The fact that NGARM uses a laser proximity fuze (LPF) for detonating its warhead (which is specifically designed to attack key radar parts) is also indicative of a desire to fully exploit the imaging capability of its terminal guidance scheme to accurately target the most vulnerable parts of an enemy emitter.
Status
Some earlier reports suggesting that the IAF was concerned about the weight of NGARM as compared to imported systems and was therefore not too keen on it, have been proven to be unfounded. NGARM has successfully cleared both captive flight trials (CFTs) as well drop flight trials (DFTs) from Station 8 of an IAF Su-30 MKI whose AKU-58 launcher was modified to receive the NGARM. Here are clippings from those trials as shown on the IAF’s 85th Anniversary Video:
Source: IAF
The first lot of CFTs, held in May 2016, were done with the objective of ‘proving mechanical integration aspects of the missile to SU-30MkI for the carriage envelope conditions’, according to DRDO. DRDO also says that ‘The post flight data analysis has shown that all the structural design parameters were within the predicted bounds and based on the results, NGARM is cleared for carriage conditions at station 8 on Su-30MKI’. Moreover, the DFT conducted during December 2016, from Air Force Station Kalaikunda proved that NGARM could be safely released from Station 8 of an IAF Su-30 MKI. This DFT saw NGARM being released from a Su-30 MKI flying at an altitude of 6.5 km and a speed of 0.8 Mach. As on date, NGARM is also being qualified for carriage and subsequent separation release with Station numbers 5,6 and 7 on two Su-30 MKI being used for this purpose.
Though it is primarily meant for carriage by the IAF’s Su-30 MKI, the missile will also be compatible with the Mirage 2000 TI and Jaguar. As far as the missile itself is concerned, laboratory test trials with NGARM’s radome for selected frequencies have been completed and the static firing of its rocket motors at sea-level conditions has also been done. As such, NGARM is headed for powered flight trials later this year once all residual CFTs and DFTs are complete.
Saurav Jha is the Editor-in-Chief of Delhi Defence Review. Follow him on Twitter@SJha1618
BDL signed 'Licensing Agreement for ToT' with DRDO for ASTRA Mk1, all weather beyond-visual-range-air-to air missile. Hon'ble RRM Dr Subhash Bhamre handed over Agreement in the presence of Hon'ble Defence Minister. Great support extended by Chairman- DRDO, SA to RM and PD-ASTRA
DRDO-VEM AsiBal MPATGM
Development of Laser Seekers and IIR Seekers has been completed and the field trails are due in 2018-19. Development of indigenous ATGM, AsiBal is also fast coming up and is scheduled for validation & field trails during the financial year.
300 Nag anti-tank missiles to be inducted in Indian Army soon
In a major success for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' in the defence sector, the long delayed Nag anti-tank guided missile is all set to see the light of day in the Indian Army as 300 of the land attack version of this missile are going to be inducted into the force soon to tackle the enemy armoured forces.
Nag was one of the five missile systems planned to be developed in the 1980s by the Defence Research and Development Organisation under the Integrated Missile development Programme (IMDP) and has been stuck due to one problem or the other.
"A high-level meeting of the defence ministry will consider a proposal to acquire 300 Nag missiles and around 25 Nag Missile Carriers (NAMICA) worth around Rs 500 crore for induction into the Indian Army in the next few days," government sources told Mail Today.
The NAMICAs are the launch vehicles of the Nag missiles and can carry six missiles at a time, which can destroy enemy tanks and infantry combat vehicles from a distance of 7 to 8 kilometers.
Sources said the army will carry out more trials of the Nag missile as its requirement is of around 3,000 such missiles.
"If the army is satisfied with the performance of the weapon system, it will place more orders for the weapon system," they said.
After the NDA government started giving a push to 'Make in India' in the defence sector, Nag missile would be the second long-pending project of the DRDO to see the light of day in armed forces after the successful induction of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft into the Air Force.
The major success in the Nag programme was achieved after the DRDO missile complex developed the indigenous seeker for the Nag missile, which helped it in hitting targets successfully.
"The earlier seeker used in the missile could not differentiate between the tank and its surrounding desert sand as the temperature difference between the two was almost negligible during the summer season. However, the indigenous seeker has the capability to differentiate between the two and has consistently hit targets during the trials in the last two years," the sources said.
"The fire-and-forget Nag missile with the indigenous seeker can successfully target enemy tanks even in the worst desert conditions during summer with great accuracy," the sources said.
The seekers imported from a European country were developed as per the weather conditions there and were not able to adapt to the extreme weather conditions in the desert terrain in India.
Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman has also been laying special stress on developing Indian defence products which can be used for improving the export of military hardware from here as it is almost negligible at this time.
In the recent times, the DRDO missile complex has helped in reducing dependence on imported missile systems due to successful development of various indigenous weapon systems such as the Akash air defence system.
According to estimates by the government agencies, the Akash missile system alone has helped the government save around Rs 34,000 crore worth of foreign exchange in defence deals.
300 Nag anti-tank missiles to be inducted in Indian Army soon
In a major success for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' in the defence sector, the long delayed Nag anti-tank guided missile is all set to see the light of day in the Indian Army as 300 of the land attack version of this missile are going to be inducted into the force soon to tackle the enemy armoured forces.
Nag was one of the five missile systems planned to be developed in the 1980s by the Defence Research and Development Organisation under the Integrated Missile development Programme (IMDP) and has been stuck due to one problem or the other.
"A high-level meeting of the defence ministry will consider a proposal to acquire 300 Nag missiles and around 25 Nag Missile Carriers (NAMICA) worth around Rs 500 crore for induction into the Indian Army in the next few days," government sources told Mail Today.
The NAMICAs are the launch vehicles of the Nag missiles and can carry six missiles at a time, which can destroy enemy tanks and infantry combat vehicles from a distance of 7 to 8 kilometers.
Sources said the army will carry out more trials of the Nag missile as its requirement is of around 3,000 such missiles.
"If the army is satisfied with the performance of the weapon system, it will place more orders for the weapon system," they said.
After the NDA government started giving a push to 'Make in India' in the defence sector, Nag missile would be the second long-pending project of the DRDO to see the light of day in armed forces after the successful induction of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft into the Air Force.
The major success in the Nag programme was achieved after the DRDO missile complex developed the indigenous seeker for the Nag missile, which helped it in hitting targets successfully.
"The earlier seeker used in the missile could not differentiate between the tank and its surrounding desert sand as the temperature difference between the two was almost negligible during the summer season. However, the indigenous seeker has the capability to differentiate between the two and has consistently hit targets during the trials in the last two years," the sources said.
"The fire-and-forget Nag missile with the indigenous seeker can successfully target enemy tanks even in the worst desert conditions during summer with great accuracy," the sources said.
The seekers imported from a European country were developed as per the weather conditions there and were not able to adapt to the extreme weather conditions in the desert terrain in India.
Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman has also been laying special stress on developing Indian defence products which can be used for improving the export of military hardware from here as it is almost negligible at this time.
In the recent times, the DRDO missile complex has helped in reducing dependence on imported missile systems due to successful development of various indigenous weapon systems such as the Akash air defence system.
According to estimates by the government agencies, the Akash missile system alone has helped the government save around Rs 34,000 crore worth of foreign exchange in defence deals.
300 Nag anti-tank missiles to be inducted in Indian Army soon
DAC Approves Capital Acquisition Proposals Worth Rs 3,687 Crore
Posted On: 27 APR 2018 6:49PM by PIB Delhi
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by the Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, met today and accorded approval to Capital Acquisition Proposals of the Services valued at over Rs 3,687 crore.
In a boost to indigenisation and in realisation of India's growing technological prowess, the DAC approved procurement of Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO’s) designed and developed NAG Missile System (NAMIS) at the cost of Rs 524 crore. The system includes a third generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile, the NAG, along with the Missile Carrier Vehicle (NAMICA). The NAG missile is a third generation anti-tank guided missile, which has top attack capabilities that can effectively engage and destroy all known enemy tanks during day and night. This will give a quantum boost to the Army's capability against enemy armour.
The DAC also approved procurement of thirteen 127 mm calibre guns for the Navy. These guns will be fitted on-board new construction ships for undertaking surface engagements including Naval Gunfire Support Operations. The guns will enable Naval ships to provide fire support and engagement of targets on the land. These guns have engagement range of 24 kilometres, which could be extended further by using Extended Range Gun Munitions (ERGM). These guns, a long outstanding requirement of the Navy would be procured from BAE Systems of the United States of America under the categorisation of Buy (Global) at an approximate cost of over Rs 3,000 crore.
The DAC also reviewed the progress of the DRDO programme to develop indigenous Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).
SRR/NAo/Nampi/DK/Rajib
Posted On: 27 APR 2018 6:49PM by PIB Delhi
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by the Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, met today and accorded approval to Capital Acquisition Proposals of the Services valued at over Rs 3,687 crore.
In a boost to indigenisation and in realisation of India's growing technological prowess, the DAC approved procurement of Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO’s) designed and developed NAG Missile System (NAMIS) at the cost of Rs 524 crore. The system includes a third generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile, the NAG, along with the Missile Carrier Vehicle (NAMICA). The NAG missile is a third generation anti-tank guided missile, which has top attack capabilities that can effectively engage and destroy all known enemy tanks during day and night. This will give a quantum boost to the Army's capability against enemy armour.
The DAC also approved procurement of thirteen 127 mm calibre guns for the Navy. These guns will be fitted on-board new construction ships for undertaking surface engagements including Naval Gunfire Support Operations. The guns will enable Naval ships to provide fire support and engagement of targets on the land. These guns have engagement range of 24 kilometres, which could be extended further by using Extended Range Gun Munitions (ERGM). These guns, a long outstanding requirement of the Navy would be procured from BAE Systems of the United States of America under the categorisation of Buy (Global) at an approximate cost of over Rs 3,000 crore.
The DAC also reviewed the progress of the DRDO programme to develop indigenous Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).
SRR/NAo/Nampi/DK/Rajib
At last they bought NAG. What is the effective range of NAG? I thought it was 4km, but this 'India Today article claims that the range is 7-8km. Am I missing something or is it just usual Indian media bullshit?
300 Nag anti-tank missiles to be inducted in Indian Army soon
Nag has a range of 4km.
That article was mentioning helicopter version of Nag(HELINA or HELIcopter launched NAg),still in development.
It will have 8 km range.
all the parts are being imported from outside, silently and then they say oh it's indigenous development.
Be it INS or GPS or whatsoever
the fact is none of the tech originated in India. Neither there is any research on it
No bloody inovation.
all the concepts are western concept.
Be it INS or GPS or whatsoever
the fact is none of the tech originated in India. Neither there is any research on it
No bloody inovation.
all the concepts are western concept.
Wrong.
Show me which all parts are imported with source.
Whining on every subject is lack of innovation from your part FYI.
