HSTDV Story-1: Missile scientists encountered multiple challenges developing complex technologies

 

Link to the report here:
https://www.onmanorama.com/news/nation/2020/11/18/hstdv-hypersonic-missile-challenges-technology.html

Teaser of Tarmak Talking with Team Nirbhay

BrahMos precision strike with homegrown seeker

After Kaveri, now Nishant joins DRDO's pack-up party?

A report by Manu Pubby of ET, here: http://bit.ly/1MyniCO 

Video of today's Akash missile test-flight

For related news, see the Tarmak007@FB link here: http://on.fb.me/1lCplaf

Akash intercepts moving target in ripple mode

Three Akash missiles were launched yesterday from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Balasore, on tow body target of Lakshya (pilotless target aircraft) moving at “low altitude far boundary” and ripple mode missions. The missiles intercepted the fast moving and maneuvering small RCS targets within small interval of five seconds in ripple mode. Indian Air Force teams operated the deliverable Akash missile system including targets. The missiles were successfully guided by multifunction phased array radar developed by Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) a DRDO Lab and produced by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The missiles developed by Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) along with 13 other DRDO Laboratories and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited. The launchers were developed by R&DE (Engrs), a DRDO lab and produced by Tata Power and L&T. (Trimmed DRDO release. Video below.)

Nirbhay warms up for launch; DRDO gags its men

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has launched probably one of the most secretive operations in the recent times ahead of the upcoming maiden test of Nirbhay, a subsonic cruise missile. Sources confirmed to Express on Wednesday that the missile has reached the Interim Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, after its long journey from Bangalore, by road. The tentative launch date is now fixed for March 10 (subject to changes) and the campaign activities will enter the last lap in the coming days.
But, the DRDO officials in Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad have gone into a shell, working on a common script and refusing to reveal any details of the launch. “The DRDO HQ had to answer some queries recently over too many sensitive information appearing in the media. These are national programmes and the DRDO has been told to adopt a tied-tongue policy,” a top official with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. The Services too have expressed their displeasure of too many DRDO officials interacting with the media, ahead of critical launches.
Nirbhay will have its maiden test from a mobile launcher, with a pre-designed target set in the sea. Sources said that the R&D Engineers, Pune, a specialised arm of DRDO, have completed making changes on the launcher. The missile was originally scheduled to be tested in October 2012, but last-minute changes on the launcher brought in delays.
With an ability to travel at a speed of 0.7 Mach and perform multiple manoeuvres, Nirbhay is the first full-fledged missile being developed in Bangalore, outside DRDO’s Missile Complex in Hyderabad. Designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment, Nirbhay is a two-stage missile with a range of about 1,000 km.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

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India's first 'made-in-Bangalore' missile Nirbhay set for Dec launch | DRDO makes changes to launcher

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: Nirbhay, the desi version of Tomahawk subsonic cruise missile will be ready for flight trials in December. Designed and developed at Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unit, the two-stage missile has a range of about 1,000 km. It can travel at a speed of 0.7 Mach, performing multiple manoeuvers, before hitting the target. 

Nirbhay (meaning fearless) will be India's first subsonic cruise missile, capable of being launched from different platforms. It is also India's first made-in-Bangalore missile, developed outside DRDO's Missile Complex in Hyderabad. Sources told Express that the launch, earlier planned for October, has now been shifted to December owing to the changes being made to the launcher. It is being built by R&D Engineers, Pune, a specialised arm of DRDO.

Other than one major imported component (a Russian-made turbofan engine), sources claim that the missile is completely indigenous. The cost of Nirbhay is expected to be around Rs 10 crore a piece with DRDO spending around Rs 70 crore so far. Though the project was sanctioned in 2004, the scientists ran into many critical challenges. “There were many unforeseen events we had to counter and overcome while developing Nirbhay. The project picked up momentum in 2010 onwards,” sources said.

All the three defence Services have shown interest in Nirbhay and DRDO is riding high on the success of Agni A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 missiles tested in the last five months. “Nirbhay is a medium-range cruise missile capable of flying at different altitudes ranging from 500 metres to four km.  It is approximately 6 metres long and 550 mm in diameter. A booster and sustainer with two wings make the missile fly at low altitudes, completely ducking enemy radars. The air-breathing engine along with four tail fins control the velocity and path of the missile. Nirbhay is integrated with ring-laser gyro-based high accuracy navigation system and a radio altimeter for the height lock,” sources said.

A team of 25 scientists have been working on Nirbhay project at ADE, while another 50 were spread across various DRDO labs. ADE bagged the Nirbhay project, owing to their success with the pilotless target aircraft, Lakshya. 

Copyright@The New Indian Express

Prithivi a hit again: Prithvi (PII), the 350-km range strategic missile was successfully launched by  Strategic Forces Command  from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, on Thursday morning. A one-line DRDO release said that the missile met all  mission objectives.

Prying plane begins shakedown flight trials | To be displayed during IAF Day parade at Hindon

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: The Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platform, India’s recently-acquired eye-in-the-sky aircraft, had its first flight loaded with desi mission systems on September 29. Defence sources term the flight as shakedown trials, carrying electronic warfare (EW) systems developed by Bangalore-based Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS).

Built on a modified Embraer platform (EMB-145I), the prying plane had arrived in Bangalore (from Brazil) on August 22. “The aircraft has been integrated with mission system avionics racks populated with line replacement units (LRUs). The internal layout of the aircraft has been modified as it is integrated with the operator work stations and operator chairs as per the final AEW&C configuration. The initial shakedown flights are vital for the AEW&C programme,” sources told Express.

External changes too have been carried out on the aircraft to replace the dummy electronics with actual final functional units. “We have got the flight clearance for initial trials with our systems from the Center for Military Airworthiness Certification, after a thorough inspection. The shakedown sorties aim to ascertain the compliance of structural installation of mission systems,” sources said.

The aircraft was flown by pilots from Indian Air Force's (IAF) Aircraft Systems and Testing Establishment (ASTE). “A test team comprising of senior scientists from CABS and flight test Engineers, flew in the aircraft to carry out the experiments,” sources said. The developmental flight tests of AEW&C is expected to commence from January 2013, after exhaustive ground tests. The next aircraft is expected from to arrive in India by December 2012.

An ASTE official said that the AEW&C will be the star attraction during this year's Air Force Day parade on October 8, at the Hindon air base. “We are planning to ferry the aircraft to Delhi on October 3 with all installed mission systems. The aircraft will be on a public display for the first time,” the official said.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

Prying plane makes a quiet touchdown at Bangalore

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: The Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system, India’s most-awaited eye-in-the-sky aircraft, touched down at HAL airport on Wednesday night. On its arrival, the prying plane built on a modified Embraer platform (EMB-145I), was given a water canon welcome. Over 200 people, including scientists, engineers and technicians were present at the airport when the plane landed close to midnight.

Military sources tell Express that the aircraft flew through three continents over last the five days. On its arrival in Bangalore, it was officially received by the AEW&C development and user teams led Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS) director S Christopher.

The aircraft was piloted by a flight crew consisting of two pilots, each from Embraer and the Indian Air force (IAF), along with one technician from Embraer. As reported by Express earlier, the aircraft left Embraer’s headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil, on August 17. “Before leaving Brazil, the acceptance of the aircraft was completed over a period of 15 days at the Embraer facilities by a team of officials from India,” sources said.

Before landing in Bangalore, the EMB-145I had its last refueling at Ahmedabad on Wednesday. “We tracked every moment of its flight including at Casablanca, Alexandria and Dubai. It is a big day for military aviation scientists,” sources said.

The aircraft was ferried from Brazil with several mission system external components being built by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, including the Active Electronically-Scanned Array (AESA) antenna with passive electronics fitted on to the platform.

The focus now shifts to the integration of the DRDO-developed mission systems on to the platform, which will be followed by development flight trials in India beginning of 2013. The next aircraft is expected to arrive in December 2012.

Post-midnight, the yet-to-be-named aircraft was undergoing a series of emigration and customs clearances at HAL airport. “We have taken the plane into our hangar and the entire area is now cordoned off,” sources said. The security around HAL airport and CABS facility was high all through Wednesday, ahead of the EMB-145I’s historical landing in Bangalore.

(Copyright@The New Indian Express)

Breaking on Tarmak007: EMB-145 lands in Bangalore

The Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system, India’s most-awaited eye-in-the-sky platform, touched down at HAL airport on Wednesday night. On its arrival, the prying plane built on a modified Embraer platform (EMB-145I), was given a water canon welcome.

(Detailed report in The New Indian Express later) 

Eye-in-the-sky likely to touchdown in Bangalore next week | AEW&C will be a force-multiplier to IAF: Major

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: India took custody of the first Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft (EMB-145I) at Embraer’s headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil. Built on a modified Embraer, the yet-to-be-named AEW&C aircraft was handed over by the Embraer Defence and Security officials to senior scientists from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Military sources told Express that the AEW&C was expected to leave Brazil on August 18 and reach HAL airport next week. The focus will now shift to Bangalore-based Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), which will equip the eye-in-the-sky-platform with mission systems. Embraer says the delivery follows successful completion of ground and flight tests of the aircraft which met operational targets.

Embraer termed the project as a new chapter in Indo-Brazil ties, cementing the way for more future complex programmes. “We are very proud to meet the expectations of our clients in providing CABS and DRDO with this platform,” Luiz Carlos Aguiar, President, Embraer Defense and Security, said. “The EMB-145I features an in-flight refueling system and upgraded electric cooling equipment. The comprehensive set of structural changes in the aircraft will enable easy installation of advanced mission systems developed by CABS,” G Elangovan, Chief Controller, DRDO, said.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will receive three EMB-145Is as per the 2008 pact India inked with Brazil. The total cost of the project is now put at Rs 2,157 crore, after incorporating all additional requirements of the IAF. “CABS would require over six months to prove its mission systems on EMB-145I after which the IAF would officially induct the platform,” sources said. The fully-loaded EMB-145I would begin test-flying in Bangalore in October/November this year. 

 The ability of EMB-145I to detect, identify and classify threats present in the surveillance areas and act as a command and control centre to support air operations is expected to add teeth to IAF's network-centric warfare capabilities. Former Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal (retd) F H Major said that the EMB-145I will be a tremendous force-multiplier to the IAF. “It will augment the entire air defence surveillance system of the country and and also aid long-distance monitoring,” Major told Express from Delhi.

As reported by Express earlier, the EMB-145I could track aircraft, UAVs and even detect radar signals. It can scan up to 400 km, giving the IAF recognised air situations thereby enabling battlefield management. The aircraft can operate with a maximum crew of 12 people, including operators, rest crew, pilot, co-pilot and flight test engineer. It can fly non-stop for 10-12 hours with mid-air refueling.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

Embraer delivers first EMB-145I to India

Embraer delivered the first EMB-145-I Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C)  aircraft to India in São José dos Campos, Brazil, yesterday. Sources say that the aircraft will now reach an IAF base in India first, and then to the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) in Bangalore. A detailed report in The New Indian Express tomorrow. (Search EMB-145 on the blog for earlier reports)

Here's more on A-2 user trials...

 

(DRDO Release: Unedited) 

 

The surface to surface 2000 km range Ballistic Missile AGNI-II was successfully flight tested for the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) at 8:46 A.M from Wheeler’s Island in Bay of Bengal off Coast of Odisha.
The two stage solid propellant AGNI-II launched as a part of regular strategic Forces Command (SFC) exercise as they reached the pre-designated target point in Bay of Bengal within accuracy of few meters. Two ships located near the target point have tracked the terminal phase of the vehicle and witnessed the final event. The Radars and Electro-Optical Tracking stations have tracked and monitored the vehicle and all the relevant parameters.
All the systems, Propulsion, Control, Actuators, On-Board Computers, Missile Interface Units and the Navigation, Guidance systems functioned fully to the perfection and ensured the vehicle reached the target within few meters of accuracy.
The launch operations were carried out by SFC and the DRDO scientists have monitored and guided all the activities. The teams were led by the Project Director Shri Laxminarayana and the Mission Director Shri Avinash Chander, DS & CC R&D (MSS) who guided and reviewed the activities. Dr. V K Saraswat, SA to RM, Secretary Deptt of Defence R&D and DG (R&D) DRDO were present during the launch and cleared the launch of the vehicle after thorough review.
Defence Minister, Shri AK Antony congratulated the Armed Forces, DRDO scientists and the Industry in the successful launch of AGNI-II. Dr. V.G. Sekaran, Director ASL, Dr S.K. Chaudhary, Director RCI, Shri MVKV Prasad, Director ITR, Dr Satish Kumar, Dr. DN Reddy, Chairman RAC were present during the launch of AGNI-II.

Agni-1 successfully launched

(Unedited DRDO release)

Agni 1, India’s 700 km range ballistic missile was successfully launched today at 1006 hrs from the wheeler island off the coast of Odisha. It was a textbook launch meeting all mission objectives and the missile reached the target point in the Bay of Bengal following the prescribed trajectory” informed Shri Avinash Chander, the mission Director who is Distinguished Scientist & Chief Ccontroller R&D (Missiles & Strategic Systems) and Program Director AGNI program.
The missile was launched from Road Mobile Launcher System and was tracked by Radar and Telemetry stations located along the coastline. Two Naval Ships located near the target point tracked the missile in the terminal phase of the Flight.
Indigenously developed by DRDO the missile is already in the arsenal of Indian Armed Forces and was launched by the Strategic Forces Command as part of training exercise to ensure preparedness.
The Launch was witnessed by Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, SA to RM, Secretary Deptt of Def.R&D & DG DRDO, Shri Avinash Chander, Distinguished Scientist & CC R&D (Missiles & Strategic Systems), and Programme Director AGNI, Dr. J Chattopadhyaya, Project Director and Shri MVKV Prasad, Director ITR and senior officials from DRDO and the armed forces.
 Dr Saraswat, SA to RM has congratulated all the Scientists and employees of DRDO and the Armed forces for the successful launch. Shri A K Antony, Hon’ble Defence Minister congratulated the team on the successful launch of Agni I.

A glimpse of Team Agni: More snapshots from Wheeler Island

Made in India: Anti-satellite (A-SAT), all-composite, intelligent missiles next target: Avinash Chander

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: Thursday's 5,000-km-plus sky part of Agni-5 missile might have put India among a select-group of countries having ICBM-capabilities. But, the icing on the cake is the confidence shown by DRDO's tech-gurus in developing systems which were denied to India. With Agni-5 turning a blockbuster, DRDO has set its eye now on bigger and bolder missions.

During a telephonic interview with Express from Wheeler Island, Avinash Chander, DRDO's Chief Controller (Missiles and Strategic Systems) and Agni-5 Project Director was as cool as a cucumber, despite the smashing hit. “Our next aim is to put satellites to orbit at very short notice using missiles. We can launch low-cost micro-satellites into the orbit with a payload of 60 kg. It can be used for intelligence-gathering purpose and  launched within few hours of notice,” Avinash said.

According to him, the next big challenge for DRDO is to master the MIRV (Multiple independently-targeted re-entry vehicles) and MaRV (Manoeuvring re-entry vehicles (MaRV) technologies. “Our next aim is maneuvering warheads for long-range missiles. We want to develop intelligent missiles with highly-accurate warheads for future. Missiles that could counter an incoming missile, by predicting its trajectory is the key,” Avinash said. He said that DRDO is hovering around the idea of developing missiles with anti-satellite capabilities too.

He said the scientists are already on a mission mode to develop an all-composite missile for the future. “A full composite missile with a high-degree of precision. We are moving faster and now we have the technologies to boot. We will have missiles with less radar cross sections soon. The user is part of our thought-process right from the word go. The user has become an integral part and hence the ownership has gone up many folds with all our new projects,” Avinash said.

Among the new technologies used onboard Agni-5 are Ring Laser Gyro-based Inertial Navigation System (RINS), Micro Inertial Navigation System (MINS), high speed onboard computer based on power-PC design, light-weight composite motors and 100 per cent home-grown software. “The INS worked in dual redundancy configuration. Agni-V uses a three-stage propulsion system and it has onboard less cabling, multi-sensors among others. Around 80 per cent of Agni-5 is made in India, making it a truly value-for-money-weapon,” Avinash said.

Copyright@The New Indian Express 

AGNI-V A SMASHING HIT ON TARMAK007 TOO!
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Tracking Agni-V was like watching a 20:20 thriller: Scientists | Missile Complex in Hyderabad erupts in celebrations

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: Scientists in Hyderabad's Missile Complex tracked every moment of Agni-5's 20-minutes flight with bated breath on Thursday. Scientists who couldn't make it to the Wheeler Island, watched the missile's historic test-flight with prayers. “We were naturally tense as each one of us knew what systems were onboard the missile. It was like watching a 20:20 match. We didn't get up from our seats,” a scientist with ASL said.

Sources tell Express that up to the last command (release of the payload) of Agni-5 was monitored through various internal networks of DRDO. “The radars positioned at various parts of India (part of the Air Defence project) too helped us track the missile. We couldn't have asked for more seeing Agni-5 doing exactly what we wanted,” sources said.

Hyderabad houses all the major labs of DRDO involved directly with India's missile programmes with ASL, RCI and DRDL leading the pack. “It was a great sign to see that the missile met all mission parameters. We are waiting for our team members to return and the celebrations will continue for a long time for sure,” a navigational expert with RCI said. Sources said that inside the Missile Complex posters congratulating the Agni team have up at many places.

At the Hyderabad airport, the Agni team members were taken by surprise when hundreds gathered to welcome them soon after they landed from Bhubaneswar at 8.50 pm. “This was something that we haven't experienced before. We were lifted like heroes and offered garlands, bouquets and sweets,” a senior DRDL official said.

Sources said that DRDO brought all the non-officer cadre staff from Bhubaneswar to Hyderabad in two AN-32 aircraft. “This was a special gesture as we wanted all the DRDO team members to be back in Hyderabad on the same day to be with their families and celebrate,” sources said.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

Agni-V success will boost DRDO's brand identity: Saraswat

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: V K Saraswat is a man who minces no words. He means business, talks sense and calls a spade, a spade. Moments after Agni-5 hit the designated target on Thursday morning, the energetic DRDO chief rang up his mentor and former President A P J Abdul Kalam.
“It was my first call. It was important for me to get my guru's blessings. Kalam showed us the path and we followed it. I am happy, satisfied and excited. Excited seeing the realisation of some of the critical technologies and satisfied seeing one of my long-cherished dream come true,” Saraswat told Express.
Saying that DRDO was at the receiving end over the years from many quarters, Saraswat felt that a majority of criticisms were biased. “No other organization in the world makes so many different kinds of missiles as we (DRDO) do. Nowhere in the world one single agency handles so many programmes, be it the Russians or Americans. DRDO developed so many missiles and still we receive flak from many. What ever be the criticisms, they were all uncalled for, biased and one-sided,” Saraswat felt.
He said DRDO developed Rs 1,48,000 crore worth of products and delivered all of them to armed forces in the last five years. “Are we a nation which can't take pride in our own achievements? Every time when we were denied a technology, we took the hit and developed it, come what may. Creating technology is different from taking about it. It takes time, but it saves millions and millions for the nation. To me, it doesn't deserve so much criticism,” Saraswat said.
When asked how he guarded his troops from, as what he calls as baseless attacks, the DRDO chief said: “Our products will speak. I have a great team who are passionate and focused. I have given the freedom to my team to take decisions and Agni-V is a class act done by them. This missile will boost our brand identity,” Saraswat said.
He expressed confidence that within two more launches, Agni-V would be ready for induction. “I expect it within two years. We have listed a very clear blueprint for this missile and I hope to have Agni-V with the user within the next couple of trials,” Saraswat said.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

Agni Sakshi: 50-tonne home-grown missile launcher, the real unsung hero

The Agni-V missile being readied for the maiden test on the home-grown launcher built by R&D Engineers Pune and VRDE Ahmednagar.

By Anantha Krishnan M 

Express News Service

Bangalore: It's the sole piece of steel that held Agni-V by its soul and heart. A true Agni Sakshi in many ways considering its close proximity to the missile during the take-off spit-fire seconds. The missile launcher used for Thursday's maiden test-firing of Agni-V is probably the less-debated piece of equipment which probably went down as an unsung hero. This home-grown launcher is co-developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) labs – R&D Engineers, Pune and Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahmednagar. It is made of high-strength steel and weighs 50-tonnes.
DRDO chief V K Saraswat told Express that the launcher used for Agni-V was a modified version of Agni-3 missile with many 'unique' capabilities. “It's a highly mobile platform that can be used for launching different types of missiles. It can be used to launch canister missiles and comes in road and rail mobile models. Its extremely high mobility makes the execution time (erection or installation) lesser,” Saraswat said.
During a conflict scenario, the launcher comes handy as it requires very less reaction time. “We have been doing launchers for all missiles. By the time Agni-5 gets inducted into the Service, we will be ready with a further more modified launcher exclusively for the missile. Since the Agni class missiles are very heavy, the initial alignment of launcher is a very critical during every mission. The Agni-5 uses inertial navigation systems (INS) and the launcher plays a critical role at the beginning stages,” says Guruprasad Siddalingappa, director, R&D Engineers, Pune.
He said the launcher provides the initial stability which is paramount for any missile launches. “Developing launchers is a specialized area and we had close to 50 scientists working on the Agni-5 launcher,” Guruprasad said.

Copyright@The New Indian Express