<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b> Nod for DRDO's PGM Project</b>
HYDERABAD: An in-principle clearance has been accorded to a DRDO project to equip surface-to-surface missiles with Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs) which will ensure accurate attack of enemy targets while minimising collateral damage.
The project will be launched in the next three to four months as the financial approval is awaited, Associate Director of Research Centre Imarat, S. K. Chaudhuri told reporters here on Wednesday.
The PGMs could be put in any surface-to-surface missile. The DRDO was planning to initially demonstrate the efficacy of the PGMs with Prithvi and subsequently with Dhanush and BrahMos missiles. âWe can go up to 20 to 25 PGMs in a missileâ.
Underlining the important role PGMs could play, he said in case a runway had to be damaged a series of dents would have to be created to make it non-functional.
He said RCI, âthe aviation and electronics hubâ of the guided missile programme, would be organising an international conference on avionics systems (ICAS-2008) on February 22 and 23 as part of DRDOâs golden jubilee year.
Some 600 delegates, including many experts from abroad were expected to participate in the event which would be inaugurated by former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
He said that a 650-page volume on trends in avionic systems would be released on the occasion. An exhibition coinciding with the event would also be organised.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b> DRDO eyes a stronger future</b>
February 19, 2008
NEW DELHI: After years of flak and rejection, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is trying to emerge as a more confident research body by integrating lessons learnt from decades of struggle to develop cutting edge military technologies.
DRDO scientists say even in failed projects there were several lessons that would come in handy as they look at next-generation projects such as unmanned ground vehicles and a future battle tank, besides second generation missiles.
After more than two decades of the successful missile development, the Integrated Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) was formally closed recently, over 10 years behind scheduled completion in 1995, while several big projects such as the Arjun tank and light combat aircraft have not yet shaped up to expected standards.
Drawing on the several lessons from these past failures and limited successes, DRDO is embarking on numerous new projects. In an effort not to reinvent the wheel, it is also taking on board foreign partners and private support.
Based on all these, DRDO is now promising to deliver the next generation main battle tank in just five years of Army placing its demand. On the missile front, after the formal closure of the IGMDP, it is working on five key future missiles. At least one of them, Brahmos, a joint venture with Russia for a super sonic cruise missile, is already a roaring success. It is working on another joint venture, a long-range surface-to-air missile for the Navy, with Israel. The other three are primarily indigenous missiles.
Of the three indigenous new generation missile programmes, two are nuclear-capable: Agni-3, and the lesser known K-15, the submarine-launched ballistic missile which would be mounted on an indigenous nuclear submarine currently under development. DRDO is hoping to carry out test flights of both K-15 and Agni-3 in the coming days.
Dr Prahlada, chief controller (R&D) of DRDO, says a full system test of K-15 can be expected very soon. The 700-km range K-15 would be tested from a submerged pontoon, but would ultimately be mounted on Advanced Technology Vessel, the indigenous nuclear submarine which will begin sea trials in 2009.
With the success of K-15, the nuclear triad would be complete, he said.
Similarly, a flight test of Agni-3 is also expected soon, Dr Prahlada said.
The senior scientist said DRDO was already working on several next generation projects such as unmanned ground vehicles and a future battle tank.
DRDO is also working on several stealth technologies that can be integrated into ships, UAVs, aircraft and other platforms to avoid enemy detection, said Dr Prahlada.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<b> India successfully tests submarine-launched ballistic missile</b>
India on Tuesday successfully test-fired an indigenously developed nuclear-capable submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from an undersea location off the Orissa coast, an official source said.
"The missile was launched around 1 pm," the source said of the sixth test of the 700-km range Sagarika missile.
Since the Indian Navy does not have a submarine capable of firing an SLBM, the test firing was conducted from an underwater launcher positioned 50 metres under the surface of the sea and 8 km off the Orissa coast.
Prahlada, chief controller of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) that developed Sagarika, said earlier this month it was also readying for a "crucial" test of the missile from a submarine.
"We have asked the navy for a submarine to enable us conduct the test," Prahlada - who uses one name - told reporters during the DEFEXPO international defence exposition on Feb 16-19.
However, this could be a while away as Russia is yet to respond to the Indian Navy's request for loaning an Akula-class submarine that is capable of launching SLBMs. The navy's Russian-made Kilo-class submarines and the German-designed HDW submarines do not have the capability to fire such missiles.
The success achieved last year with exo-atmospheric (outside the atmosphere) and endo-atmospheric (within the atmosphere) anti-ballistic missiles, as also with the surface-to-air Akash missile, had apparently encouraged DRDO scientists to test the Sagarika again.
Powered by a turbojet, the missile can carry a 500-kg payload. It is 8.5 metres long and about a metre in diameter.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->..
This vessel is due for sea trials by next year. India has planned a fleet of three nuclear submarines by 2012 and its nuclear weapons posture is beginning to look more credible.
Meanwhile, the US has endorsed India's test-firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile.
Visiting US Defence Secretary, Robert Gates indicated that India's growing nuclear weapons prowess is not seen as a threat by the US.
"We don't particularly see the test firing of the missile as a risk," he said.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Here
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b> Sagarika missile test-fired successfully</b>
India on Tuesday proved that it had the capability to launch missiles from underwater by test-firing successfully the Sagarika missile from a pontoon off the coast of Visakhapatnam. The pontoon simulated the conditions of a submarine.
Shortly after noon, the missileâs booster ignited and Sagarika rose from the pontoon. Then in a spectacular display of firepower, it cleaved out of the waters of the Bay of Bengal and tore into the atmosphere as the air-booster erupted into life. It impacted the sea over 700 km away.âA proving trialâ
âIt is through. There was no problem,â said a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) missile technologist. âIt is a proving trial. It has been consistently successful. This is not the first time that we have launched the missile. We have done it earlier a few times although it went by different names.â
The tactical, submarine-to-surface missile, is a light, miniaturised system, which is about 6.5 metres long and weighs seven tonnes. Powered by solid propellants, it can carry a payload of about 500 kg. It can be launched from different platforms â from the ground, from underwater and mobile launchers.
In a couple of years, India will be able to fire the Sagarika from a submarine. Ultimately, it will be launched from the indigenous nuclear-powered submarine under construction at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu and Visakhapatnam. The missile can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads.
DRDO missile technologists said the successful launch almost completed the countryâs triad of minimum, credible nuclear deterrence from sea, land and air.
âIt is a great day for the countryâs missile technology and national defence capability. We are getting into the possibility of completing the triad. This successful launch will give us the sea capability,â they said.
The missile has the latest technologies in aerodynamics, control and guidance and navigation, a scientist said.
Sagarika was developed at the DRDOâs missile complex in Hyderabad. The complex consists of the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), the Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) and the Research Centre, Imarat (RCI).
While the missile was designed and developed by the DRDL, the ASL provided the motors and propulsion systems. The RCIâs contribution was in avionics, including control and guidance systems and inertial navigation systems.
M. Natarajan, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister; V.K. Saraswat, Chief Controller (Missile and Strategic Systems), DRDO; Prahlada, Chief Controller, R and D, DRDO; Avinash Chander, Director, ASL; P. Venugopalan, Director, DRDL; and A.K. Chakrabarti of DRDL watched the launch of Sagarika from a vessel. Mr. Chakrabarti played an important role in the launch.
There were no men on board the pontoon when Sagarika took off. A naval ship was positioned kilometres away from it.
The DRDO had placed the missileâs fire control systems on the ship and the pontoon and the vessel were connected by a cable.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b> India takes N-power under water with K-15</b>
<b>It can strike a land target at a range of 700 km with a one ton nuclear payload.
This will give stealth and survivability to India's nuclear weapons which is critical in view of India's nuclear weapons policy of "no-first use".</b>
Believed to be named after former President A P J Abdul Kalam, the next challenge is integrating this weapon with the ATV, India's nuclear-powered submarine-in-the-making.
This vessel is due for sea trials by next year. India has planned a fleet of three nuclear submarines by 2012 and its nuclear weapons posture is beginning to look more credible.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b> Indigenously developed Combat Engineering equipment enters service with Indian Army</b>
A number of indigenously developed engineering equipment are currently in service with the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army.
A number of new combat engineering equipment newly developed by DRDO are on the verge of entering into service, further reducing the dependence of the Army on cost prohibitive imported equipment.
Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahmednagar one of the premier laboratories of DRDO, have developed a range of combat engineering equipment which include the Armoured Engineering Reconnaissance Vehicle (AERV), Armoured Amphibious Dozer (AAD) and the NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle.
The AERV and AAD are designed to provide engineering support in both offensive and defensive operations in plains, desert and reverine terrain. The AERV is designed to carry out terrestrial and riverbed survey to facilitate construction of assault bridges across water obstacles.
The AAD is capable of providing integral engineering support to battle groups in offensive operations for construction of assault bridges and for construction of tracks, there by improving the mobility of advancing armoured columns.
The NBC Reconnaissance vehicle is designed to diagnose the existence of life endangering nuclear, biological and chemical contaminants in the atmosphere during NBC warfare and cordon off such areas.
All of these equipment are based on tracked BMP 2 amphibious Infantry Combat Vehicle, which allows it to operate on land and on water bodies. The onboard equipment in each of these vehicles can be operated by the crew in hatch down condition from within the confines of the armour-protected vehicles.
Ordnance Factory at Medak has been entrusted with the responsibility of production of these vehicles in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited, Pune.
The AERVs are already under limited series production and have entered service with the Corps of Engineers recently. New first off production vehicles in the category of AAD and NBC Recce Vehicle have been realized and a demonstration of capabilities of these vehicles to the Users is planned at VRDE, Ahmednagar, on 03 March 2008, in the presence of visiting Engineer- in â Chief, Lt Gen RR Goswami.
Flagging off of new serials of AERV to be handed over to the Army is also planned on this occasion.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<b> DRDO lab develops an Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) for Tejas pilots</b> <!--emo&:cool--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/specool.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='specool.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Bangalore: A DRDO lab is developing an Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) that would allow pilots flying India's light combat aircraft, Tejas, breathe easily during long haul flights at high altitudes.
The city-based Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL) says ILSS can generate oxygen to replenish its stock and ensure that the pilot is not deprived of the most essential component for a man's survival.
Speaking at a national science day function here, DEBEL Director, Dr V C Padaki, said the scientists has devised an On Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS) which uses compressed air from the engine that has oxygen and nitrogen.
According to DEBEL, the system perfectly suited the needs of the pilots. While only 40 per cent of oxygen from the mix could be obtained when the aircraft flew at lower altitudes, up to 90 per cent of the same can be got at higher altitudes. The system also has an oxygen sensor and a back-up oxygen system to ensure a constant supply of oxygen for the pilot.
On the project costs, Padaki said "More important is the fact that it adds to our indigenous knowledge base, but we have started this project with an initial amount of Rs five crore in which at least five such systems would be developed."
Presently the prototype version functions at the DEBEL laboratory, but plans involve putting the systems on trial once it is ready, expectedly in the next three years.
<b>Armoured-Amphibious-Dozer</b>
Armoured Amphibious Dozer (based on BMP 2 amphibious Infantry Combat Vehicle). Armoured Amphibious Dozer has been developed by Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahmednagar one of the premier laboratories of DRDO.
View the picture of Armoured-Amphibious-Dozer on frontierindia.net
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b> Flight testing of Tejas progressing as per schedule</b> <!--emo&:beer--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cheers.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cheers.gif' /><!--endemo-->
March 03, 2008
Flight test programme of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Tejas is progressing as per the schedule. So far, 829 flight tests have been completed.
<b>Efforts are being made to accelerate the flight tests.</b> Regular review meetings are being conducted involving Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Indian Air Force (IAF) and other concerned agencies to take collective decisions and coordination. <!--emo&:rock--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rock.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='rock.gif' /><!--endemo--> <b>Presently, no need is felt for strategic partner.</b>
To complete the project at the earliest, a top level review is being conducted by the Chief of Air Staff once in every quarter and review by the Deputy Chief of Air Staff once in every month. So far, Rs. 4806.312 cr have been spent on development of various versions of Light Combat Aircraft.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri A K Antony in a written reply to Shri Adhalrao Patil Shivajirao, Shri K.S. Rao and Shri Ravi Prakash Verma in Lok Sabha today.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<b> BrahMos Naval version tested successfully</b> <!--emo&:beer--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cheers.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cheers.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<b>A naval version of the BrahMos cruise missile was successfully tested off Andamans coast this morning.</b>
The missile was launched from the decks of INS Rajput at 10.30 AM and precisely hit a land target in one of the islands of Andaman and Nicobar.
The missile met all flight parameters during its launch, flight and zeroed in on the designated target among the group of targets, destroying it with a thunderous blast.
This mission is very important as it has established the sea to land attack capability of the formidable weapon system. It was the 15th successive successful launch of the Brahmos missile, developed jointly by India and Russia.
The Indian Navy's Andaman & Nicobar Command provided the logistics support to the missile test. The command deployed ten ships, three aircraft and three helicopters for mission support.
<b>The parameters set for the mission were kept extremely difficult including the positioning of the target to achieve maximum output. The 100 percent success of the launch once again demonstrated the tremendous capability of BrahMos weapon system.</b>
The launch was witnessed by Dr.A. Sivathanu Pillai, CEO & MD of BrahMos Aerospace, along with the officiating Commander in Chief of the Andaman Command, Rear Admiral P.K. Nair along with other senior naval officers and defence scientists. The Defence Minister Shri A.K. Antony congratulated the Navy and team of scientists for the successful launch of BrahMos.
<b> Electronic warfare system for Army nearing completion</b>
M. Somasekhar
Hyderabad, March 4, 2008
The Indian Armyâs electronic warfare (EW) capabilities in the rugged and exacting semi-desert and border areas is close to get a decisive edge soon.
Come May, the Samyukta project, aimed to meet the countryâs (EW) requirement partially, would be fully developed.
By November, the total system, being developed with an investment of about Rs 170 crore and large participation of industry, should be integrated with the user â the Indian Army, said Dr R. Sreehari Rao, Director of the Hyderabad-based, Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL).
<b>Samyukta is an integrated EW programme, being jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Army. It was launched several years ago with the DLRL, the key electronics lab under the DRDO, as the lead developer.</b>
Slowly but surely, in the face of sanctions and technical delays, Project Samyukta has, with the active support of a consortium of research institutes, public sector units such as Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) and corporates like CMC, Tata Power Corporation and over 40 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), come to a crucial stage of being offered in total to the Indian Army.
The project was to have been completed by end-2007.
<b>Project Samyukta is to develop an indigenous production base for futuristic integrated EW systems. It has communication and non-communication segments and the system is meant for mobile, tactical battlefield use</b>, the DLRL Director told Business Line.
The ground-based system is configured using 145 Tatra vehicles spread over a frontage of 100 km with 70 km depth. Each entity of the system can elicit intelligence across the borders up to and beyond 20 km.
Cross-country mobility is ensured in semi-desert terrains by use of Kolos Tatra vehicles.
<b>Experts say the system will ensure dominance over electro-magnetic spectrum, which means it will jam enemy surveillance signals and voice and radar signals while ensuring its own signals are not jammed by the enemy. It is described as a force multiplier.</b>
In January 2004, the DLRL handed over two blocks to the Indian Army, signalling a major milestone in its development. Once, the system is in place, the country would have EW systems for all the three defence forces â Samyukta (Army), Sangraha (Navy) and Tempest (Air Force).
<b> Global marketing of DRDO products</b>
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Orders for the development of Radar Computer âI & Radar Computer - II and their software for fitment on SU-30 aircraft received from Malaysia; upgradation of display processor for SU-30 MK (A) aircraft received from Algeria; and development of six numbers of Airborne Antennas also received from Poland.
Two numbers of Battle Field Surveillance Radar-S2 have been supplied to Indonesia.
To enhance global marketing of its products, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been regularly participating in important exhibitions organized at national and international levels.
During the past, DRDO has participated in DEFEXPO India, Aeroindia, India International Trade Fair, Asean Aerospace & Defence Exhibition, Defence Service Asia, Africa Aerospace & Defence Exhibition, Indian Science Congress, Latin America Aero Defence, Defence Systems and Equipment International, etc. from time-to-time.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri A K Antony in a written reply to Shri Shahid Siddiqui in Rajya Sabha today.
<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.
<b> BrahMos to be fired from submarine soon</b> <!--emo&:beer--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cheers.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cheers.gif' /><!--endemo-->
CHENNAI: BrahMos, the supersonic cruise missile and its attendant systems, will be installed in a vertical launch mode on board the Indian Naval vessel âRanvir,â according to informed sources.
The missile system would also be installed on 15-Alpha type destroyers and Talwar class frigates. BrahMos already been inducted into the Navy and the Army.
âVery soon, the missile will be fired from a submarine after the platform is identified by the Navy,â the sources said.
On Wednesday, BrahMos was launched from the Naval ship âRajputâ towards a target on an uninhabited island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. A. Sivathanu Pillai, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited, said âthe launch was precisely executed and the mission was a 100 per cent success.â
BrahMos is a two-stage missile that is nine metres long, has a diameter of 70 cm and weighs 3.9 tonnes with the canister. It can carry conventional warheads weighing 300 kg. It is a versatile missile that can be launched from ships, silos, trucks, submarines and aircraft. Rear Admiral P.K. Nair, officiating Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Triservices Command, witnessed the launch from âRajput.â
The Andaman and Nicobar Triservices Command deployed 10 vessels, three Dornier aircraft and four helicopters for managing the mission.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Video of Indian 'Nag' anti-tank missile test<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thanks, it was good.
<!--QuoteBegin-Mudy+Mar 9 2008, 02:04 AM-->QUOTE(Mudy @ Mar 9 2008, 02:04 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Video of Indian 'Nag' anti-tank missile test<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thanks, it was good.[right][snapback]79453[/snapback][/right]<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--emo&:beer--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cheers.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cheers.gif' /><!--endemo--> Welcome <!--emo&:beer--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cheers.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cheers.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<b> The case to support the indigenous LCA 'Tejas' programme</b>
March 03, 2008
By Ashok Parthasarathi and Raman Puri
There have been several articles in the press critical of projects of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in general, and specifically the programme relating to the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), now named Tejas, and the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
<b>Indeed, whenever a significant event that involves indigenous R&D, particularly defence-related, occurs, or a crucial decision is set to be taken, articles originating from within the defence âsystem,â or from vendors who see their business prospects threatened, appear. The real facts relating to the programme need to be put in context.</b>
Performance shortfalls
The two issues on which the LCA project is criticised are cost and time overruns, and performance shortfalls. As regards the so-called time overruns, when the zero/go date for the project is taken as 1983, the critics fail to mention that what was sanctioned in 1983 was an ad hoc Rs.560 crore, pending full preparation of the Project Definition Document (PDD) â which is a fundamental step even to start the design and development process. The costs were to be finalised based on the PDD. This required the setting up of infrastructure in a hundred academic institutions and R&D laboratories and building up expertise to undertake the fundamental and application-oriented R&D required, and harnessing the design and engineering effort available largely in the public sector units for such a complex, state-of-the-art aircraft. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) discussed with Air Headquarters the Air Staff Requirement (ASR). Air Headquarters had requirements added to what was originally to be a replacement for the MiG-21. As a result, the ASR that was finalised was practically that for a Mirage 2000. But in the public perception the LCA remained as a replacement for MiG 21.
It look seven years, till 1990, to formulate the PDD. <b>Based on this the ADA, in a report to the Ministry of Defence in 1990, gave a time-frame of seven years to develop the LCA and projected a financial requirement of Rs.4,000 crore. This included the building of four prototypes also</b>. There had been a 25-year gap since the only fighter aircraft ever indigenously designed, developed and manufactured, namely the HF-24 Marut, had entered squadron service. So the period of seven years to set up a more advanced R&D infrastructure and build up even the core personnel needed to develop the technologies that the LCAâs ASR and PDD called for, was modest.
âGo-aheadâ
<b>After consideration, including by special committees, the Indian Air Force and the government gave the real operational go-ahead only in late-1993. Even that âgo-aheadâ covered the development of only two Technology Demonstrator Aircraft (TDA) without weaponisation. The funding approved was only of Rs.2,000 crore â half the amount requested for full-scale development. The first TDA flew in 2001, eight years from the real operational âgoâ date, despite much additional R&D work that had to be undertaken due to the U.S. sanctions imposed in 1998.</b>
Comments appeared in the media in 2001 quoting IAF sources to the effect that what the ADA had achieved was just a flying machine that was yet to be weaponised. Considering the nature and scope of the approval accorded in 1993, what else was to be expected? Using the money sanctioned for two TDAs, the ADA built four. Full-scale development, for which another Rs.2,000-plus crore was finally sanctioned, thus started only in late-2001. Some 1,200 hours of flight testing was to be undertaken to secure Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) from the IAF.
At that point, apart from the weaponisation requirements the project had to undergo extensive redesign to accommodate an air-to-air missile chosen by the IAF, which was considerably heavier and longer than what had been specified till 2000. The IAF had again changed its mind. This necessitated the complete redesign of the wing structure, using only composite materials in order to keep the weight within limits. The period of this redesign was also utilised to upgrade the avionics, to a completely open architecture.
<b>Consequently, in âgenerational termsâ the LCA is a fourth generation-plus aircraft with full networking capabilities. This made it more than comparable to anything the IAF had, and possibly would have, even after it acquires the 126 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) now on tender, with first deliveries due eight years hence.</b>
On the engine
It is true that the Kaveri engine for the LCA that the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) of the DRDO has been developing for 12 years has not yet met its technical performance targets and requires redevelopment. So far the GE 404 engine from the U.S., which powers the F-16 fighter-bomber, has been used to power the LCA. <b>The problems the GTRE has with the Kaveri are not unusual in a complex fighter aircraft engine project being undertaken for the first time. Moreover, the financial sanction of about Rs.320 crore given for engine development was possibly only to cover the Project Definition Phase and some high-risk technology development effort. We do not know of a first-of-type high-technology fighter aircraft engine being developed anywhere in less than a multi-billion dollar programme and a 20-year-plus development cycle. Even Snecma, the sole fighter aircraft engine manufacturer in France, despite decades of experience in developing and manufacturing engines for Mirage III, V and F-1, took about a decade and $2.2 billion to develop the M-88 engine for the Mirage 2000. The development of the Kaveri is unlikely to cross $1 billion.</b>
The LCA with a GE 404 engine has done 800-plus hours of flight-testing. <!--emo&:beer--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cheers.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cheers.gif' /><!--endemo--> Even with that engine the performance has been not only vastly superior to that of even the recently upgraded MiG 21 BIS (the IAF is operating almost 400 of the series), but it has shown itself to be comparable in many critical parameters to the Mirage 2000. Modifications to the aircraft structure are under way to reduce weight and improve engine performance. When the GTREâs joint venture with a leading foreign engine manufacturer for further development is completed in the next four years, the Kaveri will be brought up to a performance level, superior to the GE 404. Fitted with it, the LCA will be truly comparable to the Mirage 2000 and in many respects even superior. And all this in an aircraft much lighter than the Mirage 2000.
Superior
As for network-centric capability, which intrinsically needs indigenous systems for secrecy, security and inter-operability, it is superior in the LCA compared to any aircraft in the IAFâs inventory.
So it is a fallacy to think that we can continue the importing spree and still have such network-centric capability.
As recently as in 2005, the IAFâs requirement for 126 new aircraft was only for an upgraded Mirage 2000. At Rs.120 crore to Rs.140 crore a plane, compared to at least double that amount for any of the aircraft types now bidding for the 126 MRCA, is not the LCA a highly cost-effective fighter for volume induction into the IAF?
As for development costs, the LCA has remained well within the sanctioned $1.2 billion â which is about the lowest anywhere. Time overrun in the strict sense is only by a year or two, despite the sanctions. A first-of-type aircraft of this degree of complexity has not been developed anywhere in the West or in Russia in less than two to three decades.
The F16 series that was inducted into the U.S. Air Force in 1975 is today at Mark 60. That is how aircraft of this level of complexity are improved after induction. That this imperative applies even more to the LCA has to be recognised.
It is for the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister to ensure that this effort is not belittled or scuttled, and that the LCA programme is given all-out support â as successive Prime Ministers have ensured for our atomic energy and space programmes.
(Ashok Parthasarathi was Science Adviser to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Vice- Admiral (retired) Raman Puri was Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Committee of Service Chiefs, remaining closely involved with the inter-service weapons acquisition process from October 2003 to February 2006).
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b> Women Lab warriors of DRDO</b> <!--emo&:cool--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/specool.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='specool.gif' /><!--endemo-->
New Delhi, March 8: Nallamalli Ranjana recalls a moment at home when her 11-year-old boy was relating his role in a school play, but her mind was immersed elsewhere â in software that guides Indiaâs Agni missile.
Ranjana, head of the software quality and assurance division at the Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad, leads a team of engineers trying to ensure that each chunk of software code embedded in the missile is error-free throughout its flight.
A two-day conference to showcase cutting edge science by women scientists in India opened here today, providing a rare glimpse of women who are helping build Indiaâs defence and warfare systems. Dividing time between home and the workplace, they are designing combat aircraft, debugging missile control software or developing electronic warfare systems.
âYou can feel the thumping of the heart when the missile takes off from the launch pad,â said Ranjana, a computer scientist whoâs been with the Defence Research and Development Organisation for 15 years.
The DRDO has 950 women among its scientific workforce of 7,000, with the bulk of women scientists â one in three â concentrated in electronics, radars and software.
âWomen scientists in the DRDO enjoy the challenges and the benefits of working in cutting edge technology,â said Nabanita Krishnan, a scientist at the DRDO headquarters. âBut they too have had to go the extra mile to prove their capability as is perhaps true in any work environment,â Krishnan said in a paper at the conference.
âWhen thereâs support, things work out,â said Hina Gokhale from the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad, whoâs using her training in statistics to help develop the best possible coatings for components that go into aero engines. Her husband is also a scientist. âWhen Iâve got to stay late, I send an SOS to him.â
For even those engaged in software, the workplace isnât exclusively a desktop in a sanitised laboratory. Electronics engineer Jillellamudi Manjula who led the team that built Indiaâs first electronic warfare systems â under a project named Samyukta â has toured Anantnag, Doda, and Tezpur to fine tune and validate the technology.
A number of systems that she had helped design to jam radio communications of adversaries are used by the Indian army, the navy and border security forces.
Women scientists have participated in virtually every aspect of Indiaâs Light Combat Aircraft â the worldâs smallest, light-weight, supersonic fighter, said the DRDOâs Krishnan.
Theyâve contributed to the aerodynamic design, hardware, avionics and flight control software of the aircraft which has completed 830 successful flights â with 442 hours of flying time.
âThe first flight in 2001 was a proud moment, and weâve had 830 flights since then,â said Indira Narayanaswamy, a scientist at the Aeronautical Development Agency, who helped in the aerodynamic design of the aircraft and is now working to reduce the drag during the supersonic phase of its flight.
Indira, a doctorate in mathematics from Chennai, had worked on a project to design smoother cars in the US before joining the ADA 21 years ago â in an early phase of the LCA project.
âItâs been challenging and exciting to work on such technologies,â said Rohini Devi, a scientist at the Advanced Systems Laboratory.
Many years ago, a day before she delivered her son, Rohini visited her laboratory to watch experiments on a miniature version of the heat shield that protects the nose tip of Agni during the missileâs fiery re-entry into the atmosphere. This visit has become legendary in defence science circles.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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