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

vic · Post by **vic** » 16 Dec 2011 10:14

Kailash wrote:Missiles to get smarter with onboard desi chips

Indian missiles are set to go lighter and smarter with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on the verge of launching a System on Chip (SOC) component, to be embedded on to the onboard computer (OBC). The SOC will give a tech advantage to the scientists to either increase the range of the missile or the warhead, depending upon the mission. The processing speed also will go up 6-7 times with SOC.

A five-member team of young scientists are eagerly waiting for the final product, which will replace the PCB-based hardware consisting of various integrated components (IC) on single board. A missile typically carries a huge number of such ICs making the total weight of the OBC close to 4-5 kilos. The SOC with its power supply unit and connecters will weigh less than 200 grams.

DRDO hopes to get the first block of SOCs in December and later test it the on short-range air-to-air Astra missile by mid-2012.

We are getting series of very big news in weapon development and 'production'

IIR seekers
MMW seekers
RLGs & FOGs
IC manufacturing plants
High intensity explosives
Titanium plants
Carbon fiber plants
Now SOCs

Suresh_Shyam · Post by **Suresh_Shyam** » 16 Dec 2011 12:06

Kailash wrote:Missiles to get smarter with onboard desi chips

Indian missiles are set to go lighter and smarter with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on the verge of launching a System on Chip (SOC) component, to be embedded on to the onboard computer (OBC). The SOC will give a tech advantage to the scientists to either increase the range of the missile or the warhead, depending upon the mission. The processing speed also will go up 6-7 times with SOC.

A five-member team of young scientists are eagerly waiting for the final product, which will replace the PCB-based hardware consisting of various integrated components (IC) on single board. A missile typically carries a huge number of such ICs making the total weight of the OBC close to 4-5 kilos. The SOC with its power supply unit and connecters will weigh less than 200 grams.

DRDO hopes to get the first block of SOCs in December and later test it the on short-range air-to-air Astra missile by mid-2012.

We are getting series of very big news in weapon development and 'production'

IIR seekers
MMW seekers
RLGs & FOGs
IC manufacturing plants
High intensity explosives
Titanium plants
Carbon fiber plants
Now SOCs[/quote]

Keep the good work. Now Eagerly waiting for Single Crystal Blade, BLISK Tech and Pure Titanium Super Alloy Wheel for Kaveri Engine(indian Version)..

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 16 Dec 2011 14:17

FWIW
In winter months BSF Jawans fight fog

Though the Jawans are equipped with night vision equipment, hand-held thermal imagers, surveillance equipment, bullet and IED proof vehicles but they want more anti-fog devices to be installed for the fool proof security. The focus so far is on the enhanced patrolling but there is resentment within the BSF over the delay to get a state-of-the-art `anti-fog equipment’, being developed by Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

Though the officials were expecting the new system to be placed in use during this winter season, it seems they will have to wait for sometime more as the equipment, say senior authorities is yet to be declared `fit for use’ by the DRDO. The new equipment, which will be of international standards, would solve the problem of poor-visibility, said the BSF officials.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 18 Dec 2011 19:18

DRDO marks its presence in the Indian Engineering Congress

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 24 Dec 2011 03:21

Premier Explosives on expansion mode.

Premier Explosives, which produces solid propellants and critical components that power missiles, including the recent Agni-IV, has expanded its production facilities.

A new expansion project, with an investment of Rs 10 crore has been added to its existing manufacturing unit at Peddakandukuru in Nalgonda district of Andhra Pradesh. It will cater to the needs of tactical missiles like the Nag, Astra, Akash, and Pinaka.
Premier Explosives, the traditional private sector manufacturer of explosives for mining and commercial sectors, has specialised in meeting some of the niche demands of India's strategic sector — defence and space. The new unit was inaugurated by Mr Avinash Chander, Chief Controller, R&D (Missiles and Strategic Systems), Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Mr A.N. Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of Premier Explosives said the company has been producing solid propellants since 2003. The present facility for tactical missiles was an attempt to help the country reach self-reliance in defence supplies.

In the successful November launch of Agni-IV (beyond 3,500-km range intermediate range ballistic missile), Premier Explosives made the second of the two stage rocket motors along with the two igniters, he told Business Line.Ms Tessy Thomas, Project Director of Agni-IV said the igniters and Daisy-2 motor produced by Premier met all the quality parameters in static test as well as the flight test.

Mr Avinash Chander said, “Premier has demonstrated over time that it is a reliable private partner with its consistent quality of products and technical ability in various projects undertaken by the Advanced Systems Laboratory and the DRDO.”

Premier Explosives has already supplied critical components like the ‘smoke less' composition (which helps an aircraft avoid detection after the launch of the missile) for the Astra missile.

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 24 Dec 2011 07:59

Kailash wrote:Though the Jawans are equipped with night vision equipment, hand-held thermal imagers, surveillance equipment, bullet and IED proof vehicles but they want more anti-fog devices to be installed for the fool proof security. The focus so far is on the enhanced patrolling but there is resentment within the BSF over the delay to get a state-of-the-art `anti-fog equipment’, being developed by Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

Could be some kind of mmw radar?

A Sharma · Post by **A Sharma** » 25 Dec 2011 05:03

AP-based firm develops defence technology

After three years of intensive research, the Hyderabad-based Avantel Limited has finally developed an indigenous Mobile Satellite System (MSS). The MSS is in compliance with the demanding military standards for avionics equipment, the company's founder and Managing Director A Vidyasagar said on Saturday.

Avantel had entered into a technology transfer agreement with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Department of Space, for the development of Type-C terminals for one-way messaging, in 2000.

He said the company has secured business worth around $2.2 billion for MSS, from Boeing, USA, to install the system in P-81 maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft for the Indian Navy.

Vidyasagar said the MSS system will be delivered to Boeing on Monday at a function here in the presence of Minister of State for Defence M Pallam Raju.

Radio system

The Avantel chief said the company has also developed ultra high frequency radio systems for voice and data communication in ships and aircraft, offering a low-cost solution to meet the Indian Navy's requirement.

The company has also been conducting research on the next generation satellite.

“We have developed systems by using seven layer security aspects with the standards of military,” company's founder and Managing Director said.

Craig Alpert · Post by **Craig Alpert** » 25 Dec 2011 06:35

A Sharma wrote: He said the company has secured business worth around $2.2 billion for MSS, from Boeing, USA, to install the system in P-81 maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft for the Indian Navy.

gakakkad · Post by **gakakkad** » 25 Dec 2011 07:59

may be like 2.2 million . in 2.2 billion you could get a dozen odd p8 aircrafts .

Shrinivasan · Post by **Shrinivasan** » 26 Dec 2011 19:15

^^^DDM strikes, it cant even be 2.2 Bil Rs, let alone $$$s. anyway the underlying news about an SDRE company is good news. Let more companies get into the defence i dustry and contribute and share the $$$. On a different plane, this could be an attempt to get around offset requirements too.

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 28 Dec 2011 17:35

Discussion on polymer synthesis

Small flying machines to take off soon

In a bid to draw engineering students towards research-based projects, the National Design and Research Forum (NDRF), part of the The Institution of Engineers, will start an internship programme for students, wherein students will work on micro air vehicle (MAV) projects across the country.

“NDRF has active projects going on in the field of micro-air vehicles with the funding coming in from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Department of Science and Technology (DST), and we are looking at getting at least 30 students from various colleges in the country placed in these projects over the course of the next one year,” said Dr LA Muralikrishna Reddy, director, NDRF.

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 28 Dec 2011 17:38

Premier Explosives Epanding

PDF

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 31 Dec 2011 18:47

DRDO to attend 99th Indian Science Congress at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar

A Sharma · Post by **A Sharma** » 03 Jan 2012 05:03

DRDO builds defence against dirty bombs

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 10 Jan 2012 10:30

DRDO's Rs.7 cr tulsi project finds anti radiation properties of tulsi extracts in animal trials

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 10 Jan 2012 10:35

DRDO’s only woman lab chief climbs new heights

Singh, in her mid-40s, is the only woman director in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to head a laboratory that is doing crucial research in acclimatising over 80,000 jawans posted in cold and arid regions of the western sector.

Singh, a physiologist from New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences, is the director of Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS), one of DRDO’s 52 laboratories, which is now in the process of reducing the six-day acclimatisation period for jawans in cold climates to three days.

alexis · Post by **alexis** » 10 Jan 2012 12:19

Are there any updates on DRDO's Heavy Weight Torpedo development?

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 15 Jan 2012 21:19

Coming soon: ‘Smart soldiers’ with robots for hi-tech battles.

Taking cover from the enemy fire, a soldier quietly takes stock of the enemy’s position using surveillance robots and launches counterattack! It may sound futuristic but the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Army are in the advanced stages of developing such ‘smart soldiers’ who would be equipped with the latest technology and gadgets to fight any battle.

The Rs 200 crore ‘Soldier as a System’ project, which started around three years ago, is aimed at enhancing the capabilities of individual combat soldiers in lethality, battle command compatibility, survivability, mobility and others.

“These smart soldiers will be geared up for all kind of battle scenarios. They would be equipped with the latest communication systems,” DRDO’s chief controller (R&D) W Selvamurthy told DNA.
“Indian Army is a part of it in a big way. We are working in complete synchronization with them. Several army officers are working with us on this project,” he said.

He said the DRDO is developing the peripheral support systems, including communication devices, guns, lighter bulletproof jackets, helmet-mounted display and health monitoring units.
A special suit is also being prepared that would have a capability to adapt to all kinds of weather. “In summers its pores will open for ventilation and in winters it will stop chilly winds,” Selvamurthy said.

Monitors fitted on the suits would relay health-related information of a soldier to his main control centre to help them decide on his battle capability.

The DRDO has also developed a high-tech communication and information system, which would be integrated with it. This mainly includes a digital compass, GPS and hand-size computer.

Small robots with surveillance capabilities have also been developed and they would be controlled using the hand-size computers. The gun would also night vision capabilities.

“Using these systems, soldiers will be able to have awareness of the battlefield. Besides, the communication system would keep all such smart soldiers connected to each other —tracking each others’ position on the battleground. They will also be able to scan the areas around and have a virtual feel of the war-field,” he added.

Selvamurthy said: “Under these projects, we are developing support systems to enhance efficiency, lethality, mobility, survivability and sustainability of soldiers. Developmental trials of all these support systems are going on after which all they would be integrated. Once that is done, it will then go for user trials.”
“It will take another four-five years for it to see the light of the day.

No country has such kind of system now. Several countries are working on this system as well,” he added.

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 16 Jan 2012 11:17

DRDO institute looks for pharma firms to commercialise 30 new drugs and devices

Agni-V's detonator developed in Chandigarh lab

DRDO is also working on augmenting the power of laser weapons from 10 kilowatt to 20 kilowatt. "The major area of thrust will be laser technology and its role in weapons. We are working in this area. This includes miniaturizing warheads while maintaining the lethality," said Chander.

Also, a precise missile guided weapon, Prahar, with a short range of 90-50km will soon be inducted in the Army. The warhead of this weapon has its genesis in the TBRL, Chandigarh. Dr W Selvamurthy, Chief Controller (R&D), DRDO, ministry of defence, said, "This indigenous missile is very promising and precise."

Can someone point out the relationship between laser power and miniaturizing warheads? Are the missiles using laser based systems which are affecting their size/weight?

uddu · Post by **uddu** » 16 Jan 2012 12:30

May be he meant LGB or Laser Guided bomb. They may be trying to miniaturize the warhead size in such bombs and make it smaller and lighter. There was an article about CL-20 explosive which is 15 times more powerful than the present one.
http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/12/in ... orlds.html
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_o_no4M2xEPY/T ... 788757.JPG
Look at the two bombs. The miniaturized version is so beautiful.
There are some statistics as well like
"But the costs of mass production of ICL-20 are still prohibitive," said Dr. Sikder. Compared to Rs.750 per kilogram it takes to produce RDX in the factory today, the HMX is worth about Rs.6,000 per kg while a kilogram of CL-20 costs a whopping Rs.70,000 per kg.

The calculation will be like since CL-20 is about 15 times more powerful and about 67 grams of CL-20 can do what 1 kg of HMX. 67 grams of CL-20 costs Rs.4,666 and 1 kg of HMX cost Rs.6,000
So which is cheaper to have in a weapon with the same capability? CL-20 or HMX?
So one can put around 85 grams of CL-20 for Rs.6000 and get much more bang for buck than HMX.
Also there are other advantage for the weapon like lower fuel consumption since it's carrying lesser weight, better performance for the fighter and being lighter, may be better range and better aerodynamic performance. Similarly for a shell for MBT, its size is reduced, better range for the shell. Lesser weight. So many other benefits may also be there. Similarly for anti-aircraft missiles this will increase their range due to lesser weight of warhead. So many option are there and it's cheaper as well.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 16 Jan 2012 12:42

Kailash wrote:Can someone point out the relationship between laser power and miniaturizing warheads? Are the missiles using laser based systems which are affecting their size/weight?

DDM speak? Perhaps the statement was about the need to miniaturizing the existing bulky laser weapons prototype while retaining power/lethality.

There are other such statement like "detonator which can trigger the explosive in a nuclear warhead and account for the successful take off of Agni-V". The detonator has nothing to do with "the successful take off of Agni-V".

uddu · Post by **uddu** » 16 Jan 2012 13:15

if we do surgery of each and every sentence, one can make out what he is saying.
DRDO is also working on augmenting the power of laser weapons from 10 kilowatt to 20 kilowatt.{this may be about the laser weapon under development} "The major area of thrust will be laser technology and its role in weapons.{He says we are working on laser tech since it has got a role in weapons, meaning LGB} We are working in this area. This includes miniaturizing warheads while maintaining the lethality,"{goes on to explain about what DRDO is doing about warhead for weapons, that's miniaturizing it} said Chander.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 16 Jan 2012 13:35

My contention is that the author of the article does not know what he/she is talking about and has jumbled up the whole thing. Even the quotes seem to be his/her understanding of the statement not the actual statement. So a surgery may not be appropriate in such a case. Look at the title for proof.

"Agni-V's detonator developed in Chandigarh lab". Is it AV's detonator or nuclear warhead's detonator? Also note my previous quote that is directly attributed to Avinash Chander. I do not expect him to have made that statement.

In any case it is just my opinion and I will leave it at that.

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 19 Jan 2012 11:57

BEL-Rafael venture ‘seeks' third partner to make missile seekers

Will a ‘third wheel' help save a joint venture that Bharat Electronics Ltd has planned with Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems for making missile seekers in the country?

According to BEL's new CMD, Mr Anil Kumar, the defence enterprise is open to allowing a suitable third partner in the long-stuck venture. It now expects the Israeli company to name a domestic player from the private industry so that it can sew up a new company.

If the three-way proposal clicks, BEL would hold 50 per cent, Rafael 26 per cent and the new Indian partner 24 per cent stake in the venture, Mr Anil Kumar, who took charge as BEL's chief executive in October 2011, told Business Line. An earlier estimate put the total investment in the range of Rs 300 crore.

A seeker is the on-board brain of advanced missiles. It detects and goes after hidden targets. It is also one of the most denied technologies. While present Indian missiles are guided by ground-based radars, upcoming missile projects would need to have indigenous seeker technologies.

The initial agreement was signed in 2008 but the joint venture was swaying over the equity issue. Rafael, among the handful of owners of vital missile technologies, apparently has not been comfortable with the idea of 74 per cent stake going to a PSU in the proposed venture. Current norms restrict foreign direct investment in Defence to 26 per cent. The Israeli company would have preferred a 50 or a 51 per cent stake for itself.

“[Rafael is] not comfortable with BEL holding 74 per cent equity in the joint venture. It fears that it would again become a PSU. It would not be so, but they don't buy it,” Mr Anil Kumar said. “This [three-way] plan was revived recently. What we have now discussed is, they can bring in a third partner who can take 24 per cent [of that 74 per cent.] But the partner should be acceptable to us, not be a sleeping one or a competitor. If this plan goes through, we will have a venture with Rafael for missile seekers.”

Mr Anil Kumar said missiles were among BEL's future growth areas along with homeland security, radars, electronic warfare and network-centric systems.

Defence research establishment DRDO - which also develops missiles that need seekers - lists this technology as a missing link in its arsenal of home-made products. Some of the newer missiles it is co-developing will use seekers. BEL and DRDO are also working at imaging infra-red seekers for the Nag anti-tank missile.

As for another pending joint venture to make radars and related technologies for the civil sector, he said, “We have almost finalised [the 74:26] venture with Thales of France but cannot go ahead with it until they release their guidelines. To me, it looks like it may not happen before March [2012.]”

Can someone clarify what the venture with Thales is ?

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 19 Jan 2012 20:29

Raghu Vamsi Machine Tools forms jt venture with UK, Spanish cos.

A joint venture called Reginson India to manufacture engine components for the aerospace market has been formed between an Indian, Spanish and British company. It will see an investment of Rs 25 crore in three phases and employ about 100 in the next one year. The joint venture partners are a Hyderabad-based, privately held firm - Raghu Vamsi Machine Tools Ltd, Industria de Tuberias Aeronauticas (ITA), Spain and Reginson Engineering Ltd (“Reginson”), UK.

A manufacturing unit was inaugurated here today with Mr Ignacio Mataix, Mr Valentin Gorrono both CEOs from ITA and ITP Spain and Mr Stephen Hatch, Chairman Reginson, UK, participating.

The 100 per cent export-oriented unit is expected to start commercial production next month. The projected turnover is Rs 10 crore in the first year with a target of reaching Rs 100 crore over the next five years said Mr Vamsi Vikas, Managing Director of the Hyderabad company, which is into manufacturing of precision engineering parts for Aerospace and Defence industries.

The three partners will hold equal equity. It will manufacture machined components designed to be assembled into rigid and flexible pipes or ducts or end fittings, which go into the aircraft engines and will be exported for Rolls Royce engines, Mr Vikas told Business Line.

The Hyderabad-company has been supplying components to Thales Aerospace, Airbus Industries and Honeywell among others, he said. ITA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Industria de Turbos Propulsores S.A, (a subsidiary of Rolls Royce & Sener Aerospace), a leading Spanish company in the aero engines global market.

Additionally it is a principal partner in key European military engines like the EJ200 for the Eurofighter, a release said.

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 20 Jan 2012 11:05

Hindujas apply for licence to make armaments, ordnance

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 23 Jan 2012 11:53

City firm to help encase Sukhoi engines right

The Koraput division of the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), which is involved in the making of the Sukhoi-30 MK1, is getting a helping hand from a Bangalore-based firm, Hind High Vacuum (HHV), for its specialised welding needs and ensure the robustness and good quality of the weld of the casings of the fighter’s engines.

The Rs 26 crore welding unit made by HHV is being acquired by HAL’s unit. This is part of the attempts at indigeni-sation HAL is taking up in the manufacture of SU-30MK1.

Incidentally, “the cost of the welding unit HHV made is around half the price quoted to HAL by a European engineering company. This gave an opportunity to HHV for building such a complex system,” said Nagarjun Sakhamuri, MD of HHV.

HHV decided to robotise the welding for almost 85 per cent of the task, reducing the risk to human welders. Inputs from Pune-based Precision Automation and Robotics India Ltd (PARI) helped the cause.

The two robots were acquired from Kuka of Japan, the software and integration in the process was done by PARI.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 23 Jan 2012 15:32

DRDO Republic Day display to include Agni 4 and Prahar Missiles

A Sharma · Post by **A Sharma** » 27 Jan 2012 21:28

DRDO Newsletter for Jan 2012

Good tidbits on developments in 2011

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 31 Jan 2012 16:31

Vice-Admiral HS Malhi, the chairman and managing director of Mazagon Dock Ltd (MDL), Mumbai and his interview on MDL.

'Guidelines for PPP in shipbuilding may come in a month'

SriSri · Post by **SriSri** » 01 Feb 2012 10:25

Hyderabad based RVMT ties up with ITA and Reginson to manufacture aircraft engine components
...
JV will be investing Rs 25 crore in 3 phases and will employ a work force of 100 people in the next 1 year. The trial run of the production is over and expected to go for commercial production next month. The project from concept to completion is done in just 11 months. The Projected turnover is Rs 10 crores in the first year with a target of Rs 100 crores in the next 5 years.

This joint venture is first of its kind in Engine components manufacturing in Aerospace Market in India informed Mr.Vamsi Vikas, Managing Director of Raghu Vamsi Machine Tools Pvt. Ltd addressing a gathering immediately after the inauguration of the plant. And added that this is a great breakthrough for an Indian Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) to achieve a joint venture in this high quality and Hi-end Technology of Aero Space Engines.
...

SriSri · Post by **SriSri** » 02 Feb 2012 08:58

DRDO delivers 5 Daksh ROVs; Limited order for 20 more

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 02 Feb 2012 10:20

DRDO seeks nod for domestic AWACS

Buoyed by the success of its indigenous eye-in-the-sky last December, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has pushed for a homemade version of the advanced Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS) that can peer deep into enemy territory from higher altitudes.
Days before testing the maiden flight of its Airborne Early Warning & Control system in Brazil, the DRDO shot off a proposal to the Defence Ministry seeking Rs 850 crore to “design and develop AWACS for the IAF”.

The DRDO’s proposal does not identify a technology partner but keeps open the option of taking on consultants as and when required. The aim is to develop long-range radars with onboard command, control and communications for both tactical and air defence forces from higher altitudes, says the proposal sent on November 21.

The AWACS is extremely useful for India in large conflicts as it surveys a wider expanse of airspace and coastlines, and can monitor large number of aircraft and warships from a greater height than the AEWCs. Moreover, it can provide a 360-degree coverage of aircraft movement and troop build-up nearly 400 km inside neighbouring terrains compared to normal 250 km (375 km extended) detection with a 240-degree vision of AEWCs.

mikehurst · Post by **mikehurst** » 02 Feb 2012 10:45

Kailash wrote:DRDO seeks nod for domestic AWACS

Buoyed by the success of its indigenous eye-in-the-sky last December, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has pushed for a homemade version of the advanced Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS) that can peer deep into enemy territory from higher altitudes.
Days before testing the maiden flight of its Airborne Early Warning & Control system in Brazil, the DRDO shot off a proposal to the Defence Ministry seeking Rs 850 crore to “design and develop AWACS for the IAF”.

The DRDO’s proposal does not identify a technology partner but keeps open the option of taking on consultants as and when required. The aim is to develop long-range radars with onboard command, control and communications for both tactical and air defence forces from higher altitudes, says the proposal sent on November 21.

The AWACS is extremely useful for India in large conflicts as it surveys a wider expanse of airspace and coastlines, and can monitor large number of aircraft and warships from a greater height than the AEWCs. Moreover, it can provide a 360-degree coverage of aircraft movement and troop build-up nearly 400 km inside neighbouring terrains compared to normal 250 km (375 km extended) detection with a 240-degree vision of AEWCs.

How is this different from the present Embraer mounted radar AWACS effort. Is DRDO arguing for creating a IL-76 size platform, essentially in the nature of a scaling up of the present indigenous AWACS programme.

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 02 Feb 2012 11:19

mikehurst wrote:
How is this different from the present Embraer mounted radar AWACS effort. Is DRDO arguing for creating a IL-76 size platform, essentially in the nature of a scaling up of the present indigenous AWACS programme.

Present Embraer is the AEW effort with 240 Degree coverage, DRDO wants to make it a 360 degree full fledged AWACS effort.

nash · Post by **nash** » 02 Feb 2012 11:43

Aditya_V wrote: Present Embraer is the AEW effort with 240 Degree coverage, DRDO wants to make it a 360 degree full fledged AWACS effort.

Is there any info what will be the platform for this system.. i would prefer Gulfstream as it will be suitable for heavier AWACS systems, but may be DRDO will continue with the higher version of EMB-145...

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 02 Feb 2012 11:58

Nash-> there is no mention of platform in the article but they have asked only INR 850 crore, the Embraer based AEW itself required 1800 crore. So I don't think they are changing platform's.

Will · Post by **Will** » 02 Feb 2012 12:03

Aditya_V wrote:Nash-> there is no mention of platform in the article but they have asked only INR 850 crore, the Embraer based AEW itself required 1800 crore. So I don't think they are changing platform's.

They should go for a bigger platform . Maybe one of the Airbus's. With the Raffy deal the French should be willing to help out.

Shrinivasan · Post by **Shrinivasan** » 02 Feb 2012 12:33

Gulfstream based AWACS would give a right bLNce of payload, range and internal space... EMB 145 was a good place to start, maybe we should buy 6 more of the same (AEWCS), but then move on to the larger goal - a fullfledged AWACS with a 360 deg coverage. Also on our roadmap should be a JSTAR type bird.

vic · Post by **vic** » 02 Feb 2012 18:07

DRDO seeks nod for domestic AWACS

Buoyed by the success of its indigenous eye-in-the-sky last December, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has pushed for a homemade version of the advanced Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS) that can peer deep into enemy territory from higher altitudes.
Days before testing the maiden flight of its Airborne Early Warning & Control system in Brazil, the DRDO shot off a proposal to the Defence Ministry seeking Rs 850 crore to “design and develop AWACS for the IAF”.

The DRDO’s proposal does not identify a technology partner but keeps open the option of taking on consultants as and when required. The aim is to develop long-range radars with onboard command, control and communications for both tactical and air defence forces from higher altitudes, says the proposal sent on November 21.

The AWACS is extremely useful for India in large conflicts as it surveys a wider expanse of airspace and coastlines, and can monitor large number of aircraft and warships from a greater height than the AEWCs. Moreover, it can provide a 360-degree coverage of aircraft movement and troop build-up nearly 400 km inside neighbouring terrains compared to normal 250 km (375 km extended) detection with a 240-degree vision of AEWCs.

[/quote]