By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service
Express News Service
Bangalore/Hyderabad: The Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) is warming up to unravel a concrete masterpiece to house some of its
discreet and critical missile technologies. Built just under four years, the new
facility – the Navigation and Embedded Computer Complex -- will be blessed by
former President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on December 9. Situated close to the
Shamshabad airport and Pahadi Shareef Dargah, the facility is set in a picturesque
background of lakes, perfectly manicured lawns and offers a panoramic view of
the hillocks.
Part of DRDO's Research Centre Imarat (RCI), the new Complex will develop navigation sensors like fibre-optic gyroscopes (FOGs), ring laser gyroscopes (RLGs), accelerometers (for accuracy requirements of long-range missiles), resonating gyros, star sensors – all pivotal to missile and military applications. An advanced very large scale integration (VLSI) and simulation lab for the design of integrated circuit and system on chip (SOC) is also being incorporated into the building.
While DRDO is tight-lipped in giving too many details about the Complex, defence sources confirm to Express that the facility will house gen-next clean rooms of the Class 10-10000 (parts per million particles) category. The Complex will also have a limited series production facility, with industry participation on government-owned company-operated basis, to manufacture some of the systems and components.
While technologically and design-wise the Complex is sure to outsmart many of DRDO establishments in India, the icing on the cake is a museum featuring navigation and computer equipment dating back to 100 years to the latest. This X-shaped installation with a tow, is tipped to play a lead tole in DRDO's current and futuristic tactical and strategic missile programmes.
Though the state-of-the-art facility will go fully live only in the next four months, it will be yet another fulfillment of Dr Kalam's dreams to be on par with world leaders in the art of making home-grown missiles. It was Dr Kalam who gave birth to RCI, when he launched the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) in the early 80s. The denial of technology stemming from the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) unleashed by the West, forced the lab to derive ways and means to develop FOGs (control grade and inertial grade) for missiles, tanks and aircraft, RLGs for long-range\long-endurance missiles and flight vehicles.
Part of DRDO's Research Centre Imarat (RCI), the new Complex will develop navigation sensors like fibre-optic gyroscopes (FOGs), ring laser gyroscopes (RLGs), accelerometers (for accuracy requirements of long-range missiles), resonating gyros, star sensors – all pivotal to missile and military applications. An advanced very large scale integration (VLSI) and simulation lab for the design of integrated circuit and system on chip (SOC) is also being incorporated into the building.
While DRDO is tight-lipped in giving too many details about the Complex, defence sources confirm to Express that the facility will house gen-next clean rooms of the Class 10-10000 (parts per million particles) category. The Complex will also have a limited series production facility, with industry participation on government-owned company-operated basis, to manufacture some of the systems and components.
While technologically and design-wise the Complex is sure to outsmart many of DRDO establishments in India, the icing on the cake is a museum featuring navigation and computer equipment dating back to 100 years to the latest. This X-shaped installation with a tow, is tipped to play a lead tole in DRDO's current and futuristic tactical and strategic missile programmes.
Though the state-of-the-art facility will go fully live only in the next four months, it will be yet another fulfillment of Dr Kalam's dreams to be on par with world leaders in the art of making home-grown missiles. It was Dr Kalam who gave birth to RCI, when he launched the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) in the early 80s. The denial of technology stemming from the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) unleashed by the West, forced the lab to derive ways and means to develop FOGs (control grade and inertial grade) for missiles, tanks and aircraft, RLGs for long-range\long-endurance missiles and flight vehicles.
Copyright@The New Indian Express
(Delay in updates on the blog, owing to travel.)
(Delay in updates on the blog, owing to travel.)
