03-08-2008, 11:28 AM
<b>Futuristic underwater vehicles for Navy under development in India</b>
Hyderabad, March 7 Underwater Autonomous Vehicles (UAVs), which can snoop around in the depths of the ocean, gather data, diffuse mines and keep the countryâs coast safe are under development in India.
Nearly 65 industries, large and small have been roped into the development of these futuristic UAVs.
<b>The first prototype is expected to be ready by 2009</b>, according to Dr A. Sivathanu Pillai, Chief Controller (R&D), Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
A major project for the development of these vehicles has been launched by the Visakhapatnam-based Naval Science and Technology Laboratory (NSTL), one of the chain of 52 national labs under the DRDO.
To be predominantly involved in military applications, these UAVs would basically gather intelligence, hunt for mines and do other specific tasks, said Dr V. Bhujanga Rao, Director, NSTL.
With future wars expected to be dependent on automation, IT & network centric with the least risk to human life, unmanned operations become crucial and will grow, Dr Pillai told Business Line recently.
In tune with these trends, development of unmanned aerial vehicles, pilotless aircraft, more robotic elements coming into play are the thrust areas of advanced countries. India is also into the league with development of such systems.
The UAV is expected to be fitted with sensors to identify mines, cameras to continuously generate visual images. It would also have a robotic arm fixed later, so that it will have the capability to diffuse a mine, once it locates, Dr Bhujanga Rao said.
In the next three to four years, the project is slated to come up with a fully developed capability and induct it into the Indian Navy. Discussions with the industries and institutes involved for long term collaboration, up to production stages were being worked out, Dr Pillai said.
NSTL is involved in development of warship technologies useful for evading detection by enemy ships/submarines. These technologies are aimed for use in modern warships under design and construction.
Hyderabad, March 7 Underwater Autonomous Vehicles (UAVs), which can snoop around in the depths of the ocean, gather data, diffuse mines and keep the countryâs coast safe are under development in India.
Nearly 65 industries, large and small have been roped into the development of these futuristic UAVs.
<b>The first prototype is expected to be ready by 2009</b>, according to Dr A. Sivathanu Pillai, Chief Controller (R&D), Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
A major project for the development of these vehicles has been launched by the Visakhapatnam-based Naval Science and Technology Laboratory (NSTL), one of the chain of 52 national labs under the DRDO.
To be predominantly involved in military applications, these UAVs would basically gather intelligence, hunt for mines and do other specific tasks, said Dr V. Bhujanga Rao, Director, NSTL.
With future wars expected to be dependent on automation, IT & network centric with the least risk to human life, unmanned operations become crucial and will grow, Dr Pillai told Business Line recently.
In tune with these trends, development of unmanned aerial vehicles, pilotless aircraft, more robotic elements coming into play are the thrust areas of advanced countries. India is also into the league with development of such systems.
The UAV is expected to be fitted with sensors to identify mines, cameras to continuously generate visual images. It would also have a robotic arm fixed later, so that it will have the capability to diffuse a mine, once it locates, Dr Bhujanga Rao said.
In the next three to four years, the project is slated to come up with a fully developed capability and induct it into the Indian Navy. Discussions with the industries and institutes involved for long term collaboration, up to production stages were being worked out, Dr Pillai said.
NSTL is involved in development of warship technologies useful for evading detection by enemy ships/submarines. These technologies are aimed for use in modern warships under design and construction.