India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Locked
gopal.suri
BRFite
Posts: 191
Joined: 26 May 2007 17:22

Post by gopal.suri »

JCage
BRFite
Posts: 1562
Joined: 09 Oct 2000 11:31

Post by JCage »

For once someone got to it before A Sharma, :)

DRDO Newsletter Jan 08
http://www.drdo.com/pub/nl/2008/jan.pdf

DRDO Newsletter Dec 07:
http://www.drdo.com/pub/nl/dec07/dec07.pdf

The Jan 2008 issue has the 2007 round up by VK Atre.

Good stuff:

Samyukta deliveries almost complete:
Handing over Samyukta Hardware to Army
The completion of production orders of SAMYUKTA EW System (for Army) is in advance stage. Out of 3 comm blocks, 2 blocks have been supplied to Army and out of 2 non comm blocks, one comm has been supplied. The remaining one block each of comm and non comm block are under factory acceptance tests.
As I had mentioned earlier, Samyukta follow on devpt is also underway and deliveries are in progress of the Samyukta itself. Now there is a public cite by DRDO for the latter.
Sangraha
Under this EW program for the Navy, the Sangraha systems have been successfully developed and inducted into Indian
Navy. Users have placed repeat orders on M/S BEL for more such systems. Total production value is worth more than Rs
700 crores.


Rajendra Radar
As part of Akash system, 3D CAR and Rajendra Radars have provided excellent detection and tracking of targets in
group mode testing.
As regards sonars, etc- the Nagan towed array sonar and Mareech (nice name, wot!) decoy are under user trials and the DRDO LOFAS, is being fitted to the ALH for trials.
Last edited by JCage on 01 Jan 2008 16:35, edited 2 times in total.
JCage
BRFite
Posts: 1562
Joined: 09 Oct 2000 11:31

Post by JCage »

Handing over of 14 Nos of MBT Arjun to the Army
Combat engineering has always been a major field of work for DRDO to meet the requirements of our services. Numbers
of equipments have been successfully developed and delivered to users. Army has placed an order for 124 Nos of MBTArjun
with the DRDO in March 2000. The production of MBT Arjun is now streamlined and the tanks are being delivered to
Army as per schedule. 14 Nos of MBT have already been handed over to Army. The AUCRT of 2 out of these 14 tanks has
commenced and have proved successful in all the parameters.
Another 30 Nos of tanks are likely to be delivered by
2008.
vivek_ahuja
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2394
Joined: 07 Feb 2007 16:58

Post by vivek_ahuja »

JCage,

What is this TCS (Trajectory correction system) for the Pinaka that they are talking about? I was under the impression that the standard on-board computer on the launch vehicle measures atmospheric conditions like wind, density and so on and along with the geographical data for the target the computer calculates the trajectory. Shouldn't this automatically correct for these ambient disturbances?

Also, any news on the 100 Km range rocket for the Pinaka MLRS? Its supposed to be entering service in 2012, but should we assume that no news is good news?

-Vivek
JCage
BRFite
Posts: 1562
Joined: 09 Oct 2000 11:31

Post by JCage »

Vivek Ahuja will find this of interest:
Armaments
The Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) has successfully gone through troops trial and has been strongly
recommended by users for induction into services.
The modifications suggested in Modern Sub-Machine
Carbine(MSMC) have been carried out and the weapon is ready for confirmatory users trial. Army has placed an indent
worth Rs1300 crores for Pinaka Weapon System including various types of vehicles. Accuracy enhancement of Pinaka
through Trajectory Correction System (TCS) is being carried out jointly by ARDE and IMI Israel.
Influence Mine Mk II has
been introduced into service and Army has placed an indent for 20,000 MK-II mines.
vivek_ahuja
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2394
Joined: 07 Feb 2007 16:58

Post by vivek_ahuja »

JCage wrote:Vivek Ahuja will find this of interest:
Armaments
The Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) has successfully gone through troops trial and has been strongly
recommended by users for induction into services.
The modifications suggested in Modern Sub-Machine
Carbine(MSMC) have been carried out and the weapon is ready for confirmatory users trial. Army has placed an indent
worth Rs1300 crores for Pinaka Weapon System including various types of vehicles. Accuracy enhancement of Pinaka
through Trajectory Correction System (TCS) is being carried out jointly by ARDE and IMI Israel.
Influence Mine Mk II has
been introduced into service and Army has placed an indent for 20,000 MK-II mines.
JCage, I was about to point that out as well. Good news all around, though...

:)
JCage
BRFite
Posts: 1562
Joined: 09 Oct 2000 11:31

Post by JCage »

vivek_ahuja wrote:JCage,

What is this TCS (Trajectory correction system) for the Pinaka that they are talking about? I was under the impression that the standard on-board computer on the launch vehicle measures atmospheric conditions like wind, density and so on and along with the geographical data for the target the computer calculates the trajectory. Shouldn't this automatically correct for these ambient disturbances?
Hi Vivek,

Thats correct, but the TCS takes it to the next level.

The TCS is a combination of an onboard sensor and ground based radio correction transmitters which basically guides the Pinaka round onto the target by correcting its trajectory through flight. The end result is much enhanced accuracy and saving in terms of # of rounds. It was used in the recent Lebanon war.

http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/ ... s/TCS.html
http://www.imi-israel.com/news.aspx?Fol ... &docID=720
http://www.defense-update.com/products/t/TCS.htm
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/produit/68495_us.html

The deal will - per reports- include a tech buyout from DRDO as well.
Also, any news on the 100 Km range rocket for the Pinaka MLRS? Its supposed to be entering service in 2012, but should we assume that no news is good news?
Yup, mostly stuff appears in the papers only when some bigwig visits the lab in question, or when its ready or when there is some delay. Otherwise its business as usual. Nobody seems to have visited ARDE in recent days, when they do, we should get a public update. Anyways with the Smerch buys, we are well placed for the interim. Though the tube arty modernisation is hanging fire like anything.
vivek_ahuja
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2394
Joined: 07 Feb 2007 16:58

Post by vivek_ahuja »

The TCS is a combination of an onboard sensor and ground based radio correction transmitters which basically guides the Pinaka round onto the target by correcting its trajectory through flight. The end result is much enhanced accuracy and saving in terms of # of rounds. It was used in the recent Lebanon war.
OK, so that means that we are then putting this rocket as somewhere between a SSM and an unguided MLRS rocket. If ground instrumentation is involved, its not an SSM per se, but its not unguided either.

Th good thing is that with ground based guidance instrumentation, we reduce the cost of each rocket as well as the complexity involved. However, we are then adding a new choke point in the system that is a weakness. Take out the ground guidance control and the rockets go without trajectory control. Still, its much better than the normal. Even so, they might want to think about adding the guidance instrumentation on a UAV or some stand-off aerial platform.

the really interesting thing is that if this works out, we ae certainly looking at a system node for the 100 km long range rockets when they do roll out for induction. You cannot really launch 100 km range rockets without some course correction.

Really exciting stuff. Nice to know that the DRDO is looking at the changing face of Modern Warfare...
Anyways with the Smerch buys, we are well placed for the interim.
True, but with the delays in the tube artillery acquisitions, I am thinking that this might be used to compensate perhaps...?
JCage
BRFite
Posts: 1562
Joined: 09 Oct 2000 11:31

Post by JCage »

Yes, the Pinaka buys and Smerch buys compensate to some extent for the tube arty, plus the 180 plus 155mm upgrades to the 130mm guns. I do wish that the Tatas or L&T had tied up with IMI or Denel or Bofors for a 155mm design.
gopal.suri
BRFite
Posts: 191
Joined: 26 May 2007 17:22

Post by gopal.suri »

JCage wrote:
Handing over of 14 Nos of MBT Arjun to the Army
Combat engineering has always been a major field of work for DRDO to meet the requirements of our services. Numbers
of equipments have been successfully developed and delivered to users. Army has placed an order for 124 Nos of MBTArjun
with the DRDO in March 2000. The production of MBT Arjun is now streamlined and the tanks are being delivered to
Army as per schedule. 14 Nos of MBT have already been handed over to Army. The AUCRT of 2 out of these 14 tanks has
commenced and have proved successful in all the parameters.
Another 30 Nos of tanks are likely to be delivered by
2008.
AUCRT trials are not yet over.
vivek_ahuja
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2394
Joined: 07 Feb 2007 16:58

Post by vivek_ahuja »

JCage,

I know this discussion is going a bit off topic, but speaking of tube artillery, there is one thing that you can perhaps clear out for me: What exactly is the status of R&D within the DRDO or Pvt Industries for Tube artillery? Was there ever a design request given by the Army to DRDO for the same, given that almost everything else was on the design tables?

I ask this because if I remember correctly, we are building our own Gun turrets for the Naval ships, are we not? There has to have been some spin-offs from this program...

It also makes me wonder the compensating issue between Tube and Rocket artillery systems. I guess at one time Tube artillery were the teeth of armies around the world, but in today's warfare and in the coming years, I keep thinking that unless the move within our army is also geared towards some kind of guided munitions for their guns, the fact of the matter is that a few well designed MLRS systems can devastate a target far more effectively than the same number of guns, or even more guns.

This is simple to imagine, but if we look at how the Pinaka is going in terms of technology, and adding to it the fact that its totally indegenous, I find it difficult to understand how the standard tube artillery is going to cope up, especially in areas were massing of a large number of guns is difficult to maintain logistically or otherwise.

Also the issue of TCS and so on, the Pinaka is well on its way to achieve precision strike coupled with long range weapons and total mobility in a networked environment. Tube artillery, and especially in Indian hands, is far far away from anything similar.

A similar issue holds with the potential for lethality. A few Pinaka MLRS can achieve near-simultaneous TOT over a far massive area. to do the same for the same area would require dozens of guns, all of whom will have to be networked via the ACCCS that the Army is deploying.

I may be mistaken, but taking all of these into consideration, if we are looking to compensate the Army's acquisition blunders with technology, it does not need to a be a one-on-one replacement. Maybe its about time we started to look at reorganizing the traditional look of the Artillery corps...

-Vivek
JCage
BRFite
Posts: 1562
Joined: 09 Oct 2000 11:31

Post by JCage »

gopal.suri wrote:
JCage wrote:
AUCRT trials are not yet over.
Thats what it says if we assume the remaining 12 tanks will have AUCRT as well.

Or, the alternative is that the AUCRT are indeed over (with a sample size of two tanks picked randomly out of the 14) and this is breaking news.

This is the latest newsletter and I think it was uploaded today.
JCage
BRFite
Posts: 1562
Joined: 09 Oct 2000 11:31

Post by JCage »

The tube arty saga in India is a tortured one, since no overarching program (like IGMDP) was launched to build competency.

DRDO began with the 105mm LFG produced by the OFB. While the gun design itself was ok- the end product was initially let down by the hit and miss production quality at OFB @ the time. Over time, this was rectified, but the perception stayed around for long. One key learning was that DRDO would have to remain involved in the product end to end, since the production agency alone couldnt handle it. But the Army now felt that a simpler thing would be that we should now just buy the best and license produce it.

After that, instead of a 155mm project ( we purchased 130mm's in enough bulk that there was no point to a 130mm one), we decided to standardize on whichever gun won the 155mm IA RFP. We then had the infamous Bofors fiasco. IMO, the true fiasco was what happened later, when we blacklisted Bofors and like true idiots, didnt get what we had contracted for! Which included design drawings, TOT and detailed production assistance. What a waste of the chance to work with an excellent gun and make it "our own" over time.

Then DRDO, OFB were tapped to build spares and assemblies for the Bofors. With reverse engineering, some new builds etc. But without any access to design data or detailed production knowledge of the specific items. This met with partial success with several items indigenized & its still ongoing. But with sanctions lifted, spares supply has resumed, so the harder items are now available.

In the meanwhile, a thought arose that we should now build our own gun. So HMT, and a bunch of other companies were roped in to build our own gun, end to end, including the all important high strength barrels.
That project was killed, as sanctions were lifted and Army wanted the best available technology.

Thereafter, you know what happened. Including the Bhim project, to replace the earlier 130mms put on the Vijayanta chassis. Our smart MOD went and did the usual there too. A decade of effort on SPH went down the ..

Today, DRDO has been working on tube arty to some extent. They have developed a semi-auto loader for 130mm guns, they have developed Cargo shells, BMCS propellant and charges for the 130/155mm guns. The latter for eg are ready for production. But there has been no project to develop a range of tube arty end to end.

The plus sign is that there are several companies like TATA, L&T etc which can help them design a gun and make the subsystems. But it will still be a tough effort since the Army will expect leading edge specs in every parameter and it will be our first local gun since the LFG.
gopal.suri
BRFite
Posts: 191
Joined: 26 May 2007 17:22

Post by gopal.suri »

DRDO Chief gets C. V. Raman Birth Centenary Award

Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister & Secretary Defence R&D, M Natarajan, will receive the prestigious C. V. Raman Birth Centenary Award carrying Gold Medal for his Outstanding Achievements in the field of Defence Research and Development and Strategic Systems of National importance.
A Sharma
BRFite
Posts: 1206
Joined: 20 May 2003 11:31

Post by A Sharma »

From BDL Director report

A new Unit has been established at Visakhapatnam for Naval projects. Approximately 10 Acres of land has been acquired for this purpose.
• Participation in development of “Sudarshanâ€
Surya
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5034
Joined: 05 Mar 2001 12:31

Post by Surya »

I still want my 155 mm GUNS AAAAGAGHHHHHHH


wheeled and SP -

Wake up Gunner Chief - Do something!!!
Raj Malhotra
BRFite
Posts: 997
Joined: 26 Jun 2000 11:31

Post by Raj Malhotra »

What is "Sudershan"
K Mehta
BRFite
Posts: 973
Joined: 13 Aug 2005 02:41
Location: Bangalore

Post by K Mehta »

From DRDO Techfocus January 2008 issue
2007 round up by Dr. VK Atre
Successful launch of Interceptor Missile (AAD)
Last month on December 6, we took a significant step towards developing Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD), when an endo-atmospheric interceptor missile killed 'hostile' missile off the Orissa coast. This is milestone in itself as India has joined the elite club of USA, Russia, and Israel.

Successful launch of Agni III Missile
The Agni III (A3-02) was successfully launched on 12 April, 2007. All the mission objectives were fully met.
In another milestone, Users had also conducted operationalisation training flight trials of Agni-I system on 5 Oct 2007.

Akash
Mobility trials as part of user's trial for Army were conducted at Pokharan during 11 to 29 Jun 2007. Flyover Trials of Akash weapon system as part of Air Force user trials was conducted at Pokharan during 15 to 17 Nov 2007. User's trials for Air Force were also successfully conducted at ITR, Chandipur during 13 to 19 Dec 2007.

Brahmos Missile System
The first batch of land version of BrahMos missile systems including advanced Fire Control System, Launch Complex, Mobile Command Post and certain number of missiles has been handed over to the Army. Thus Indian Army is the only land force in the world to have supersonic cruise missile for land attack. Installation of unique multi missile vertical launcher has been completed on board INS Ranvir, providing vertically launched capability from ships for cruise missiles. The missile, capable of firing from underwater, is ready for evaluation test so that future submarines will have BrahMos missiles for ship and land target applications. Substantial progress has been in the development of air version and its interface with different types of aircrafts. Actions have been initiated to increase the production capability of BrahMos missile.

Handing over Samyukta Hardware to Army
The completion of production orders of SAMYUKTA EW System (for Army) is in advance stage. Out of 3 comm blocks, 2 blocks have been supplied to Army and out of 2 non comm blocks, one comm has been supplied. The remaining one block each of comm and non comm block are under factory acceptance tests.

Sangraha
Under this EW program for the Navy, the Sangraha systems have been successfully developed and inducted into Indian Navy. Users have placed repeat orders on M/S BEL for more such systems. Total production value is worth more than Rs 700 crores.

Rajendra Radar
As part of Akash system, 3D CAR and Rajendra Radars have provided excellent detection and tracking of targets in group mode testing.

Handing over of 14 Nos of MBT Arjun to the Army
Combat engineering has always been a major field of work for DRDO to meet the requirements of our services. Numbers of equipments have been successfully developed and delivered to users. Army has placed an order for 124 Nos of MBTArjun with the DRDO in March 2000. The production of MBT Arjun is now streamlined and the tanks are being delivered to Army as per schedule. 14 Nos of MBT have already been handed over to Army. The AUCRT of 2 out of these 14 tanks has commenced and have proved successful in all the parameters. Another 30 Nos of tanks are likely to be delivered by 2008.

Armaments

The Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) has successfully gone through troops trial and has been strongly recommended by users for induction into services.

The modifications suggested in Modern Sub-Machine Carbine(MSMC) have been carried out and the weapon is ready for confirmatory users trial.

Army has placed an indent worth Rs 1300 crores for Pinaka Weapon System including various types of vehicles. Accuracy enhancement of Pinaka through Trajectory Correction System (TCS) is being carried out jointly by ARDE and IMI Israel.

Influence Mine Mk II has been introduced into service and Army has placed an indent for 20,000 MK-II mines.

Naval Labs

Submarine Sonar USHUS has been successfully inducted into service and is shortly completing its sea trials.

Whereas NAGAN, the towed array sonar and MAAREECH, the torpedo Defence System are under User Associated Trials.

Navy has also given clearance for DRDO designed Low Frequency Airborne Sonar System for its sea trials onboard ALH. As regards to naval weapon systems, DRDO has successfully handed over Fire Control System for Helicopter Launched Torpedoes, an Integrated Advance Weapon Control System, lAC MoD (0) for ships and Processor Based Exercise Mines to Indian Navy.

In addition, path breaking research and development have taken place in the field of stealth technologies, corrosive protection technologies and Bio degradation techniques. The Users have also recognized the indigenous development of marine steel weld consumables, underwater paints and other technologies towards enhanced operational availability of the warships.

The fuel cell power plant with integrated methanol reformer has entered the production engineering phase and is expected to be launched as a product during the year ahead.

Weaponisation, Sensor-Integration and Drop Tank Test of LCA
LCA Tejas continues to fly superbly in 2007 also. Till Dec., 2007 LCA has completed 785 flights. The Light Combat Aircraft 'TEJAS' program achieved the most significant milestone, when it successfully test fired the Close Combat Missile R-73. This historic event marked the beginning of weaponisation, which is the focus of the current initial operational clearance (IOC) phase of the program. Air-to-air missile integration and testing especially on a fly by wire aircraft is a very complex task involving interfaces with aerodynamics, engine air intake, control laws, flight control system, avionics system, electrical and other general system of aircraft.

LCA Tejas PV-1 created another milestone as it made a successful first flight with two 800 ltrs drop tanks under the wing stations. The flight proved functionalities of the on-board stores management system in the 'heavy stores' mode.

Tejas LCA programme received yet another major fillip with the first successful flight test on PV-2 using Litening Pod, which can provide the pilot with day & night picture of terrain, Laser ranging and Laser spot seeking (LDP).
The LCA team consisting of members from IAF, HAL-ARDC, ADA, CEMILAC and DG-AQA have worked together for several months to
achieve this success in first attempt.

Positioning of Defence Strategic Technologies and Systems

Indiginisation of AB Steel for Naval Weapon platforms
It is indigenously developed High quality AB class Steel which finds application in naval ship building. The production of AB Class Steel has been established at SAIL plants.

NBC Equipment and Advanced Materials

Order worth more than Rs 2000 crores has been placed by Army for a range of NBC products like NBC permeable suit Mark-IV,NBC Recce Vehicle, Autojet, Injector, NBC field Shelters, and RPL Dosimeter. Orders of about Rs 500 crores have already been realized.

The Materials Labs contributed to the Services through deliverance of Environmental Survey Vehicle developed for Indian Navy to measure radioactivity in air, water, soil and other environmental matrices and in successful completion of user trials for modernization of NBC Protection System of BMP-2 & 2K.


Combat Free Fall Oxygen System and Protective Clothing

This has been developed for paratroopers. It consists of pre-breather console, portable bailout oxygen system, demand oxygen regulator, and oxygen mask, helmet, jumpsuit, gloves, boots, goggles, jack-knife. The system has been accepted by Army.

Order placed for 2000 Nos HAPO bags by Army

This portable, life saving, first aid kit i.e HAPO bag is already under production. It is used for treatment of high altitude pulmonary edema, a hazard associated with rapid ascent to altitudes more than 2700m. It has been accepted by the Army and an order for 2000 bags has been placed.

2008
In the Year 2008, we will continue our thrust on ongoing tasks on TOT and productionisation of systems like Interceptor missiles for AAD, Akash Surface-to-air-missile, Nag anti-tank missile, LRSAM, Weapon Locating Radar, Rohini, Revathi and Bharani radars, Advanced Experimental Torpedoes, Bridging Systems, Sub Machine Carbines, EOFCS etc,.

Next Decade
In the coming decade DRDO will focus on the development of futuristic technologies relating to systems like Multi-role Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft, Integrated Surveillance, Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles, Air-to-air Missiles Astra, Hypersonic Vehicles, Airborne EW, Multi Sensor Data Fusion, Active Phased Array Multi Function Radar, Unmanned
Ground Vehicles, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles etc,.
Last edited by K Mehta on 03 Jan 2008 16:59, edited 2 times in total.
K Mehta
BRFite
Posts: 973
Joined: 13 Aug 2005 02:41
Location: Bangalore

Post by K Mehta »

A sharma link please.
From What you posted, looks like BDL has started inhouse developments on its own. JC mentioned Milan upgrade being done inhouse by BDL.

JC, you omitted a lot of things man :D
From the report of this year, things look quite good, lot of order placed and realized etc

A few questions
CFF systems are for PARAs? LRSAM (Barak-NG)? what are rohini and revathi radars? EOFCS :?:
MN Kumar
BRFite
Posts: 393
Joined: 27 Jan 2002 12:31

Post by MN Kumar »

From the Brahmos Missile System section posted by KMehta:
Installation of unique multi missile vertical launcher has been completed on board INS Ranvir, providing vertically launched capability from ships for cruise missiles.
Is this the same Universal VLS launcher that L&T is involved?
A Sharma
BRFite
Posts: 1206
Joined: 20 May 2003 11:31

Post by A Sharma »

K Mehta
Click on Link. Then there is a tab for Directors and then on Directors Report.
JCage
BRFite
Posts: 1562
Joined: 09 Oct 2000 11:31

Post by JCage »

K Mehta,

Yeah- I was in a bit of a hurry so left the rest. The NBC orders are particularly heartening. Rs 2000 Crores is a substantial sum.

The scale of DRDOs efforts is quite large, given they recieve ~5-6% of the defence budget. The US's figures are ~14% and the PRC is stated to be around 15%. Approx 70% of DRDOs budget goes towards projects for the services. The rest is split between tech devpt and revenue expenditure. We need to spend more on R&D as composed to just imports.
K Mehta
BRFite
Posts: 973
Joined: 13 Aug 2005 02:41
Location: Bangalore

Post by K Mehta »

A sharma, had some problems with website, now it works fine.

Some really nice tidbits in BDL directors' report
1) BDL in house developed 3 Km’s ATGM and High altitude missiles
are awaiting for response from users.
2) Participation in development of Sudarshan for IAF with ADE.
3)problems encountered in Technology absorption of products under ToT (Konkurs-M and Invar). The Company is able to successfully overcome these problems
4) The company has successfully completed the production and supply of Light Weight Torpedoes to the Indian Navy. Bulk orders for this Weapon system is expected shortly.
5) The implementation of contract entered between Government of India and M/s. WASS, Italy assigned to BDL for supply of Anti-Torpedo system has commenced.
6)The company has Designed, Developed and Demonstrated Counter Measure Dispensing Systems (CMDS) for use by all three Defense services of India. Orders for in-house developed CMDS from Air Force and other Agencies are under materialisation.
7)Undertaking integration of Heavy Weight Torpedo project with NSTL, Visakhapatnam. A new Unit has been established at Visakhapatnam for Naval projects.

Again few questions,
What is "Sudarshan"? UAV?
Bhanur division = Brahmos??
Study, with a detailed report on PDI visits of executives of Bhanur Group to Russia, has resulted in reducing the frequency of visits to Russia.
Invar missile. Laser targetted Tandem warhead missile with 5 Km range, also acts as anti-helo. Interesting :twisted:

Why both Invar and Konkurs-M?
K Mehta
BRFite
Posts: 973
Joined: 13 Aug 2005 02:41
Location: Bangalore

Post by K Mehta »

JC,
No problemo,
The orders look good indeed. 2008 is going to be an interesting year I guess.
Please see my questions.
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Post by Singha »

the arjuns down on DD didnt look like "protos" at all. dark green paint and
had a used and well tested look to them. with the turret traversed 90' the long overhang of the bustle and APU looks very leo2ish.

the Arjun looks ready to rip anybody a new one - AoA.

the ammo being one piece there is still a small 'cap' type thing around 3 inches long at base of shell that remains behind and falls on the floor. they should a couple rounds being fired and this cap falling on floor to join another one.

there is a moving target that is like a piece of cloth hung on a frame with a dark mark which moves behind a ridgeline, the arjun fired at it on the move.
the obstacle course was crossed at a incredible speed (didnt see the others on Discovery channel prog do it that fast).
JCage
BRFite
Posts: 1562
Joined: 09 Oct 2000 11:31

Post by JCage »

K Mehta,

INVAR is none other than the Refleks-M for the T-90S. The kits supplied by Russia were defective, they were returned, repaired and are now being supplied. Some 900 rounds were due to be given to IA by this year end.

Konkurs-M is the tandem warhead version of the 4 Km Konkurs, with additional improvements- ie can be fired over water etc.

Sudarshan could be a new UAV project.
JaiS
Forum Moderator
Posts: 2190
Joined: 01 Mar 2003 12:31
Location: JPEG-jingostan
Contact:

Post by JaiS »

SAIL ends 2007 with landmark achievements in all key operational areas

Special/new products:

SAIL continued to develop and commercialise new products during 2007. Some of the special quality steels supplied for high technology applications through special development efforts included IS 2062 grade C plates for construction of a railway bridge on the Chenab river by the Konkan Railways; DMR 249 grade steel to the Indian Navy for manufacture of India's first indigenous aircraft carrier/battleship; GOST/NES grade plates to the Indian Navy for repairs/maintenance of warships; High tensile plates for manufacturing of instantaneous/temporary bridges during movement of troops and materials in border/unconnected areas; IS 2062 copper bearing structurals for border fencing; Jackal/Spade steel plates for Army tanks/armoured vehicles; Corrosion resistant and micro-alloyed rails for various applications of Indian Railways, etc.
Vipul
BRF Oldie
Posts: 3727
Joined: 15 Jan 2005 03:30

Post by Vipul »

Rudranathh
BRFite
Posts: 227
Joined: 17 Nov 2007 20:06

Post by Rudranathh »

DRDO in dire need of research funds

Visakhapatnam, Kalyan Ray

Countering common perceptions regarding defence scientists’ failure in providing battle worthy missiles to the armed forces, DRDO on Thursday claimed to have too little money to carry out high end strategic research.

Though the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) received Rs 5857 crore – approximately six per cent of the 2007-08 defence budget of Rs 96000 crore – from the Centre in the current fiscal, its chief Dr M Natarajan said only two per cent of the budget is actually available for research.

Besides running an organisation with 50 odd laboratories and 7000 scientists, the remaining funds were utilised to produce deliverable systems like Agni and Prithvi missiles for the armed forces, Dr Natarajan said.

“The money available with us is too little for research, which is practically one third of our total budget,â€
A Sharma
BRFite
Posts: 1206
Joined: 20 May 2003 11:31

Post by A Sharma »

Interesting downloads from Rolta-Thales

From Link
Rolta provides fly through visualization integrated with the 3D terrain modeling solutions. The Indian army has effectively used this solution in the past for launching successful offensive operations in mountainous terrain. The army was able to identify the best route for advancing and viewing the enemy posts, thus executing the mission with minimum causalities.
JCage
BRFite
Posts: 1562
Joined: 09 Oct 2000 11:31

Post by JCage »

2 reports and they paint a completely different picture.

Which report is true?

Kalyan Ray regularly writes on science and technology matters , so his report may be correct rather than the DNA one.
Same thing, different focus by different journos.

DRDO project Rs go into three heads:

Mission mode (projects for Army/AF/ Navy)
Fundamental research/ Tech development
Revenue (salaries etc)

The breakup currently is ~ 70% Mission, 10-15% FR, 10-15% Revenue. And overall budget is 6% of Defence Budget.

So for mission mode, budget may be adequate, but for FR its not. And the lack of adequate pay is hitting projects.

Both reports portray different angles of the same issue.
JCage
BRFite
Posts: 1562
Joined: 09 Oct 2000 11:31

Post by JCage »

Just as a reference figure, the current figures for local sourcing are 30-35% of defence budget, and R&D is at 6%.

US puts in around 14% of budget into R&D. PRC around 15-20%.

Indias status quo is favourable to everyone but our local MIC, since it ensures we will always rely on imports.
putnanja
BRF Oldie
Posts: 4665
Joined: 26 Mar 2002 12:31
Location: searching for the next al-qaida #3

Post by putnanja »

NRao
BRF Oldie
Posts: 19226
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: Illini Nation

Post by NRao »

True it would have been great to get some export contracts.

However, India itself is large enough to support her own industry. the game plan should be to let such machines take root within the country. Exports will take care of itself l8r.
vina
BRF Oldie
Posts: 6046
Joined: 11 May 2005 06:56
Location: Doing Nijikaran, Udharikaran and Baazarikaran to Commies and Assorted Leftists

Post by vina »

Yeah.. That part of no track record is true.. Of course the smug moralizing /commie propaganda on how "Capitalists will cheat and cut corners to make money while our noble PSUs will work for public interest".. kind of rubbish came unstuck with that fiasco about the tail rotor, thanks to cutting corners by using bad materials,., reports of poor availability etc and poor support must have done it in as well., not to talk about vibration issues at sea level.

Any other company would have fixed those pronto.. Of course for HAL, being babu run, would need "sanction", "clearance from Delhi" and what have you, and fill forms in triplicate and all the babugiri stuff and take 3 years minimum before they can even look into the problem.

Point is this.. Capitalists have to make a sale to earn their daily bread. HAL couldn't give a damn. They of course can raise "objections" and "No Objection Certificates" and all the babu stuff and be in business forever.
abhishek
BRFite -Trainee
Posts: 70
Joined: 07 Jun 2004 11:31

Post by abhishek »

Do we need to export these when can't satisfy our own requirments...lets put enough of these air in our own country and build enough credibility...then the customers will come if the price is right....
A Sharma
BRFite
Posts: 1206
Joined: 20 May 2003 11:31

Post by A Sharma »

DRDO scientists poised to develop combat UAVs

As a follow-up to their string of recent successes with missile technology, the country's defence scientists now plan to cross into new frontiers of warfare technology by making hypersonic vehicles and unmanned combat air and ground vehicles.

Reports had earlier trickled out that Indian scientists were experimenting in producing air vehicles of hypersonic speed -- six to eight times the speed of sound -- and M Natarajan, the nation's top defence scientist, confirmed it today.

India is among a handful of nations led by the US who are working on these technologies, which would see air combat vehicles reach targets and return to bases, within a jiffy.

Scientists presume this to be the counter to growing missile proliferation and threats.

"We have been working on hypersonic vehicles for a long period of time," Natarajan said adding, there could be a major breakthrough in this field.

Natarajan outlined that missiles and hypersonic vehicles were not the only fields DRDO were working on. He said the country was nearing success in acquiring capability to launch under-sea missiles, which would give India the option of third triad in nuclear deterrence after air-launched bombs and missile carrying nuclear warheads.

The Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister said strides have also been made in developing strategic stealth and composite materials and experimenting with robotic and nano-technology.

Other major programmes of the DRDO were developing futuristic technologies for Multi-role Fifth Generation fighter aircraft, integrated surveillance, Air to Air Missiles, Airborne Electronic warfare platforms and multi-sensors.
Natarajan's words on scientists working to develop Unmanned Air Combat vehicles assume significance, as these are the weapons the US is using with deadly accuracy against terrorists in Afghanistan holed up deep in remote mountains.

Apparently hit by widespread criticism that DRDO projects were running into heavy cost and time overruns, Natarajan announced giving a business orientation to DRDO operations.

"DRDO and the production agencies must now demonstrate rather than assure the user services in delivering projects in given time-frame," he said.

As the way ahead, Natarajan spelt out that the nation needed to involve academia, private sector and business leaders in developing state-of-the-art weapons systems.

"We have to aim for a total participation in defence industry," the scientist advocated.

He also said DRDO was aiming to focus on new vista in the form of international activities including setting up joint ventures in India and abroad, international collaborations and exports.

"Joint ventures have to be there to bring in transfer of sunrise technologies in the country," he said.
vsudhir
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2173
Joined: 19 Jan 2006 03:44
Location: Dark side of the moon

Post by vsudhir »

The cat must catch mice (Business Standard)

I don't get it. A total hit-piece editorial against DRDO efforts in the missile field. Zero mention of successes (including the PAD and AAD ones). Continuous beration, drip drip drip, insidious.... could've been penned by Shekhar dupatta himself. Aur in a biz newspaper, oopar se.

Who's funding this malign DRDO campaign??

Biz Std has earnt its right today to its acronym- BS.
SaiK
BRF Oldie
Posts: 36424
Joined: 29 Oct 2003 12:31
Location: NowHere

Post by SaiK »

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/news ... ewsid=9784

and these are fine for India? where as DRDO is labeled almost like an entity matched to cold war enemy to Russia.
Locked