And a logistic nightmare! What is the point behind so many types aircrafts from so many sources? Less effected by sanction from a particular source? or A surprise to the enemy? We are indeed a museum. BTW India is always unity in diversity! 😀

Nov-December 2009 have many new for India…. 😀

1. First flight of Rustam UAV.
2. First flight of LCA Trainer.
3. First flight of LCH.
4. First flight of PAK FA (expected).
5. First flight of GSLV-mkII.
6. First navigational satellite.
7. First satellite telescope.

Over all 2009 was full of events…. 🙂

First Indian nuclear submarine.
First AWACS.
First radar imaging satellite.
First space discovery: Water on Moon.

FOCUS: DRDO

Range of radars

RAVI SHARMA

The LRDE develops for the armed forces sensors meant for surveillance, tracking and weapons control.

PHOTOGRAPHS; DRDO

Revathi, a 3D, medium-range surveillance radar, mounted on a naval vessel.

THE Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) in Bangalore has been spearheading the development of radar systems and related technologies for the defence forces. A Ministry of Defence research laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the LRDE’s genealogy goes back to the Inspectorate of Scientific Stores set up in 1939 at Rawalpindi.

In 1946, it was re-designated as the Technical Development Establishment (Instruments and Electronics) and relocated in Dehradun. The electronics component was relocated to Bangalore in 1962 and the LRDE’s role was redefined to develop indigenous and state-of-the-art military radar and communication systems. Today the LRDE is a premier radar systems laboratory with a core competence to build advanced systems in the L to X bands.

According to S. Varadarajan, Director, LRDE, the laboratory develops a range of products from short- to long-range sensors for ground, air and sea surface surveillance, tracking, and weapons control. Besides this, the LRDE has developed advanced radar technologies, including transmit and receive (TR) modules, slotted waveguide array antenna, high-power transmitters, programmable signal and data processors, radar controllers and multi-beam antenna.

The LRDE was roundly criticised for not successfully developing, in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the multi-mode radar for the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. But the Israeli radar now being fitted on the Tejas has an antenna designed by the LRDE – the slotted waveguide array antenna. The LRDE is also undertaking the design and development of the active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology. The AESA technology allows ships and aircraft to broadcast powerful radar signals while they themselves remain under stealth. The AESA’s basic building block is the TR module, a self-contained, miniaturised transmitter and receiver that makes up one of the AESA antenna elements. In a bid to develop the AESA, the LRDE has developed L and S band TR modules.

According to B.V. Ramesh, project director of LRDE’s LSTAR programme, an LRDE-developed X-band AESA radar could be fitted on the Tejas by 2014. Two modules of the AESA radar have already been launched. Ramesh also disclosed that the LSTAR (Long-range Solid State Active Phase Array Radar), which is a sort of a forerunner to India’s Airborne Early Warning and Control System programme, has been approved by the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification, integrated and tested on ground-based systems, and qualified for airborne applications. And a production agency, Astra Microwave, has been identified for it.

Among the LRDE’s foremost products is Indra-1, a radar that works on the Doppler principle. It has a 50-km range and is integrated with the fire control radar. It is in deployment with the Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) as part of their air defence network. Indira-2, an improvement over Indira-1, was designed as per the needs of the IAF, which wanted a radar that can identify dense-formation targets, such as a group of aircraft flying wing tip to wing tip, and can be used even at high altitudes.

Bharani, a portable, short-range, light-weight radar. It provides 2D surveillance, mainly in mountainous terrain, against aerial targets.

The LRDE’s portable Battle Field Surveillance Radar (BFSR) – Short Range was developed after the Kargil conflict, when the inadequacies of binoculars were felt. An all-weather, automated detection of intrusions system was needed. Over 1,400 BFSRs are now being used by the Army against moving surface targets. A BFSR radar that offers foliage penetration is under development.The LRDE has also developed a coherent, electronically scanned C-Band Doppler Weapon Locating Radar for use by the Artillery Corps. Rohini is a 3D, medium-range, vehicle-mounted surveillance radar that offers 360 degree coverage and has a range of 150 to 180 km, and is used against low-, medium- and high-flying targets. It can measure the range, azimuth and the height of the target. It is designed for the IAF and will also be part of the Akash missile system. The LRDE is also developing the Revathi, a 3D, medium-range surveillance radar that will give the Navy cover against air and sea targets. !!!

An off-shoot of the Rohini is the Aslesha, a 3D low-level, light-weight radar designed for use in mountainous terrain and against aerial targets. The LRDE developed this radar when the Army wanted a system that could be transported by animals. It has been evaluated at 15,000 feet (4,572 metres) and cleared for induction. The Bharani is another portable, short-range, low-level, light-weight radar. It provides 2D surveillance, mainly in mountainous terrain, against aerial targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft flying at low and medium altitudes.

The Rajendra, a multi-function, phased array radar, is the primary sensor at the battery level for the Akash weapon system, which is to be used for air defence by the IAF and the Army. It can perform extensive searches, track multiple targets and missiles, and command and guide multiple missiles concurrently. Says Varadarajan: “It can be mounted on a T-52 tank bed or as per the IAF’s requirements on a low-bed trailer.”

Having realised the importance of timelines and technology obsolescence in the development of radar systems, the LRDE has decided to “knit the user with the programme at the design stage itself”. Says Varadarajan: “An early association of the user helps fasten the programme. As for production, we want to be involved only with critical design and system engineering, capturing the user’s requirements. It is for industry to realise the prototype, prove the concept and also be the lead integrator.”

http://www.flonnet.com/stories/20091218262510200.htm

50 km??!!! I think it is 50 m.

DRDO pitches for Netra for anti-insurgency operations

Friday , Nov 27, 2009 at 0433 hrs Pune:

It is called ‘Netra’. It’s a small eye zooming in the sky to gather real time intelligence on the ground. This unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), shaped like a spider and weighing less than 1.5 kg, is only a speck when flying at a height of 50 km but it can give real time inputs to the team that is controlling it on the ground.

The developers, DRDO’s Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) and Idea Forge, a small start-up company incubated by IIT Bombay, are pitching the Netra as a device for “anti-terrorist and counter-insurgency operations”.

It was exhibited at the College of Military Engineering in the city on Tuesday and Wednesday at a workshop to combat Improvised Explosive Devices using technology. The UAV was also presented before the Ministry of Home Affairs at an exhibition in Delhi last month. In February, it will be showcased at the Defence Expo in Delhi.

“It’s useful in aerial patrol; it can help soldiers gather advance intelligence and avoid ambush. A lot of times, officers tell us, that they would like to see what’s happening on the other side of the boundary wall,” said Alok Mukherjee, a scientist at the DRDO. He said the reaction to the UAV had been positive till now.

“One of the concerns expressed at the exhibition last month was that it could easily be shot down. But at a height of 50 km in the sky it looks smaller than a bird and is a very difficult target to shoot at,” Mukherjee said. At a time, it can stay in air for around 30 minutes and can travel up to 2 km at a stretch.

Although the payload is a camera, now weighing 300 gm, the main aim of Netra being surveillance, Mukherjee said other payloads could also get attached, depending upon the requirement. However, he said this would increase the cost of Netra, which is now priced at around Rs 15 lakh.

“It has quick deployment time and vertical take-off and landing ability. It finds application in anti-terrorist operations, counter-insurgency in forested areas, hostage situations, border infiltration monitoring, local law enforcement operations, search and rescue operations, disaster management and aerial photography,” said Rahul Singh, director, Idea Forge.

An institute involved in the study of snow and avalanche has already placed an order for the UAV. “They want prior information on snow conditions so that they can warn their staff on the ground once an avalanche begins. Several local law enforcement agencies have also expressed keen interest,” Singh said.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/drdo-pitches-for-netra-for-antiinsurgency-operations/546890/

I don’t think the trainer has levcons. would be glad to be corrected.

Ooops! That was a serious mistake. I thought he was talking about the naval version. Thanks for the correction. I first wrote ‘/’ later made it ‘and’. 🙂

if anything from that project is a failure, it is the kaveri engine project. I’ve no problems admitting that.

😀

Good news. They are sorting out the glitches…. Snecma helped this time. I wish it will pass the tests in Russia.

Tejas to fly on indigenous Kaveri engine next year: Official

http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=157679

The city-based Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), which is indigenously developing various types of aero engines, would be fitting its flagship product Kaveri engine to the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) ‘Tejas’ in the next one year.

Disclosing this to reporters at the 23rd convention of aerospace engineers here GTRE Director T Mohana Rao said the establishment had overcome all obstacles and one of the engines, originally built for the LCA was taken to Russia for testing. Once it passes the test another engine would be shipped later for flying test, he said.

He said the engine would be ready by March or April next year and it will be fully ready for integration in one year’s time. ”We are also looking to develop a marine version of Kaveri engine and Indian Navy would be our working partners. This includes financial participation. Indian Navy is working with us for Kaveri marine project,” he said.

The naval version would be co-designed by the two organisations and it would have low-pressure compressor and turbine.

GTRE was also looking at developing small gas turbine engines for unmanned aircraft.

”We are ready to develop any type of gas turbine engines for the country. There are lots of other projects in the offing,” Mr Rao added.

He said GTRE’s bid to find a joint venture partner was yet to be finalised as it was expecting the final sanction from the government. ”We had shortlisted ‘Snecma’ of France for the JV, but we have not started the work yet as some government approvals are still pending. Indian Air Force and DRDO would have to approve the JV,” he said.