Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) : News and Updates
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- DRDO is developing a universal vertical launcher capable of launching all the indigenous missiles onboard Indian Naval Ships.
- Jalastra, a medium weight torpedo capable of being launched from naval platforms, is also under development.
- Electrical heavy weight torpedo, a new generation torpedo that can be launched from both ships and submarines for anti-submarine warfare, is under development.
- The New Generation Main Battle Tank (NG-MBT) is envisaged as the futuristic MBT of the Indian Army. It will be a medium tank powered by 1500 HP engine and armed with a 125 mm smoothbore gun. Allelectric turret drive, explosive reactive armour and active protection system are being developed for the new generation of tanks.
Probably a model of DRDO's AVATAR. Many different designs were used for conceptual studies. DRDO seemed to have given up on it a few years back. Maybe not, maybe they are still working on it.
This would be the precursor of an Indian space force.
Avatar (spacecraft) - Wikipedia
Calls for an ULVM is finally being answered.
Bro it's electromagnetic launch system. But it looks very different not sure whether it will launch aircraft. Some people are saying it will be used for launching guided/ unguided projectile or it could be prototype of maglev train developed by RRCAT.

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Take your query to God of Paradoxes on Twitter. Once he's answered it , ask him to append his watermark on it & thank him.
I know its an prototype EMALS. There are multiple uses to the technology. Back in 2001-2 there was a AVATAR concept that used EMALS to launch off the ground & ignite a ramjet motor. The ramjet would take it to a certain altitude where liquid rocket engine would take over. Very similar to ISRO's TSTO concept.
There is work ongoing to make railguns too. Check this thread
Electromagnetic Rail Guns & Aircraft Launching System developments in India : News & Updates
VARIOUS R&D PROJECTS TAKEN UP BY DRDO
Posted On: 04 AUG 2021 4:56PM by PIB Delhi
Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) undertakes various R&D projects. The lab-wise details of projects sanctioned during last three years (1 Jul 2018 – 30 Jun 2021) are as follows:-
The above list does not include projects in strategic and classified domain.
Some of the major projects undertaken are in the areas of:
• Missile Systems
• Airborne Early Warning & Control System
• Fighter Aircrafts
• Armoured Fighting Vehicles
• Bridging and Mining Systems
• Guided Munitions
• Artillery Guns & Rockets
• Small Arms & Ammunitions
• Advanced Torpedoes & Advanced Sonar Suite
• Electronic Warfare
• Long Range Radars
• Artificial Intelligence based Systems
• Sonar & Torpedo
• Autonomous System
• EW System etc.
A list of technologies developed by DRDO in last three years is as follows:-
DRDO in collaboration with FICCI initiated a DRDO FICCI ATAC (Accelerated Technology Assessment Commercialization) program for Commercialization of DRDO technologies. During this period, 91 ToT agreements were fructified with industries and ToT fee of Rs 11.98 crores was realized.
Following Committees have reviewed DRDO:-
• Kelkar Committee (2004)
• Rama Rao Committee (2007)
• Kota Harinarayana Committee (2013)
• Shekatkar Committee (2016)
• Expert Committee constituted in August, 2019 under the chairmanship of Shri BP Sharma, Chairman RAC and former Secretary, DoP&T to work out roadmap for labs of Life Science (LS) cluster
• Expert Committee constituted in August, 2020 with Director IIT Delhi as Chairman and reps of ISRO and IAF to review charter of labs
• Expert Committee under the chairmanship of Shri BP Sharma, Former Secretary, DoP&T as Chairman and members from DoP&T and DSIR constituted in September 2020 for reviewing Re-organisation of Manpower by Cadre Restructure.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Vinod Kumar Sonkar and others in Lok Sabha today.
Posted On: 04 AUG 2021 4:56PM by PIB Delhi
Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) undertakes various R&D projects. The lab-wise details of projects sanctioned during last three years (1 Jul 2018 – 30 Jun 2021) are as follows:-
| Sl. No. | Lab | No of Project |
1 | ADA | 4 |
2 | ADE | 5 |
3 | ADRDE | 2 |
4 | ARDE | 12 |
5 | ASL | 6 |
6 | CABS | 5 |
7 | CAIR | 10 |
8 | CFEES | 6 |
CHESS | 2 | |
10 | CVRDE | 15 |
11 | DEAL | 7 |
12 | DEBEL | 3 |
13 | DGRE | 11 |
14 | DIPAS | 2 |
15 | DLJ | 7 |
16 | DLRL | 7 |
17 | DMRL | 9 |
18 | DMSRDE | 1 |
19 | DRDE | 3 |
20 | DRDL | 14 |
21 | DRLT | 1 |
22 | DYSL-AI | 1 |
23 | DYSL-AT | 1 |
24 | DYSL-CT | 2 |
25 | DYSL-QT | 1 |
26 | DYSL-SM | 1 |
27 | GTRE | 6 |
28 | HEMRL | 7 |
29 | INMAS | 1 |
30 | IRDE | 8 |
31 | ISSA | 3 |
32 | ITR | 1 |
33 | JCB | 1 |
34 | LRDE | 8 |
35 | NMRL | 4 |
36 | NPOL | 6 |
37 | NSTL | 4 |
38 | R&D(E) | 17 |
39 | RCI | 22 |
40 | SAG | 2 |
41 | SSPL | 4 |
42 | TBRL | 5 |
43 | VRDE | 2 |
Total | 239 |
Some of the major projects undertaken are in the areas of:
• Missile Systems
• Airborne Early Warning & Control System
• Fighter Aircrafts
• Armoured Fighting Vehicles
• Bridging and Mining Systems
• Guided Munitions
• Artillery Guns & Rockets
• Small Arms & Ammunitions
• Advanced Torpedoes & Advanced Sonar Suite
• Electronic Warfare
• Long Range Radars
• Artificial Intelligence based Systems
• Sonar & Torpedo
• Autonomous System
• EW System etc.
A list of technologies developed by DRDO in last three years is as follows:-
S No. | Lab/Centre | Technology Developed |
1 | ADE | · Unmanned Aerial Vehicles · Cruise missiles · Flight simulator · Flying test bed · Mission Computer for fighter aircraft |
2 | ADRDE | · Parachutes, Brake parachutes and heavy drop systems for various Aero, navy and space |
3 | ASL | · Development of technology for Stealth Structures with Load Bearing Capability. · Design of Composite Shims based Flex Seals. · Developed High temperature Anti-Corrosive low friction Graphene base coating. · Developed Thermal Protection System for High Temperatures (@ 18000C). · 4D C-SiC Hot Gas valve Nozzles proven for 120 seconds duration. · Developed Indigenous Brake Discs for Mirage -2000 & ALH. · Ship based S/Ka dual band telemetry ground receiving stations developed and installed on DRDO Ships. |
4 | ARDE | · Advanced warhead Technology · KE Rod Technology · Multi Point Initiation Technology · Deep Penetration Warhead · Low L/D Shaped Charge Warhead · Ferroelectric Pulse Power Technology For Initiation Of Warheads |
5 | CAIR | · Technologies related to Artificial Intelligence and robotics in Maritime Situational Awareness, Geographical Information System, Multi Agent Robotics, Secure Handset/Mobile, Secure OS, Quantum Communication. |
6 | CHESS | · Multidisciplinary technology consisting of 1. Optical Channel for combination of High Power Fibre laser 2. High precision Opto mechanical Technology · Laser based target Neutralization Technique · Spatial Beam Combination technology · Sensible Heat Storage based Thermal Management |
7 | CASDIC | · Mission Computer for Su 30 |
8 | CABS | · Airborne Early warning and control systems and associated technologies. |
9 | CFEES | · Environmental & Explosive Safety Technology |
10 | CVRDE | · Technologies for Next Generation Main Battle Tank (Multiple). · Engine Technologies for AFVs (multiple). · Automatic Transmission Technologies for AFVs (Multiple). · Suspension and Running Gear Technologies for AFVs. · Repair and Recovery Technologies for AFVs. · Tele-operated and Autonomous Technologies for AFVs. · Indigenous Landing Gear Technologies for UAVs. · Indigenous Technologies for Aircraft quality Bearings. · Technologies for Brushless DC Generator. |
11 | DEAL | · Bandwidth efficient (low BT modulation/demodulation lossless text compression
|
| 12 | DLRL | · GPS & GLONASS Satellite Navigational Receiver · Jamming and Spoofing in L Band · Detection, Location Fixing and Monitoring & Jamming of Communication Signals in HF & V/UHF Bands
|
| 13 | DRDL | · Two pulse Rocket propulsion system · Solid Fuel Ducted Rocket Ramjet technology · Liquid Propellant based Ramjet System · End game system based on Laser Proximity Fuse · Control guidance algorithms for various class of missiles
|
| 14 | DRDE | · NBC Haversack Mk II · Chemical Agent Monitor (CAM) · Automatic Chemical Agent Detector & Alarm (ACADA) · Three Colour Chemical Detector Paper Mk II · Personal Decontamination Kit Mk II · NBC Canister Mk II · First Aid Kit Type A (Mk II) · First Aid Kit Type B (Mk II) |
15 | DMRL |
|
| 16 | DEBEL | · Medical Oxygen Plant · Individual Underwater Breathing (IUWBA) · Physical Efficiency Test Monitor · Air Sterilization Unit |
17 | DIPAS | · Space Heating Device (Bukahari) · Oxygenated Solar Shelter · Ergonomically Designed Backpack (90 Ltrs) · Cognobar and Quercetin Bar |
18 | DFRL | · Terrain and Weapon Platform specific MREs for Army and Navy · Frozen/Chilled Mutton/Chicken Test Kit |
19 | DIPR | · Night Vision Human Performance Attributes (NVHPAs) · Manuals and ComBAT Active App on Stress Management · Crowd Behaviour Analysis Software (CBAS) for crowd management |
20 | DRL | · Snake Repellent |
21 | DGRE | · Development of Landslide forecasting model for a particular site. · Terrain Contour mapping · Weak Zone Susceptibility Mapping · Trafficability evaluation by developing a suitable DSS · Development of Operational Avalanche Forecast Models · Design of Avalanche Control Structures · Development of Snow Cover Model for different Snow Climatic Zones |
22 | DMSRDE | · Bullet Proof Jacket as per GSQR 1438 · Boot Antimine Infantry (BAMI) · Anti-Personal Mine Blast Protective Suit (APMBPS) · DMS HOTS Oil – I · DMS HIDEN Fuel · PEGCOL-113 · ECW Protective Goggles · NBC Gloves · NBC Overboot · Gloves ECW · Mounting and Support Equipment for Multi Spectral Camouflage Net · Filtration Cartridge and Prefilters using nano-enabled technologies · Thermally Conducting Light Weight nano-composite based structures for damping applications (BLDC Motor) · Development of Anti COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Coverall · Sanitizing Fluid “DefSen-2020” |
23 | DLJ | · Indigenization of Microwave Chaff Cartridge 118/I for IAF · Radiation Contamination Monitoring Systems for Indian Navy · Thermal Targets for Strategic Weapon Systems · Network of Radiation Monitoring Sensors for Strategic Locations · CBRN Water Purification System · Indigenization of Microwave Chaff Payload for Indian Navy · Artificial Engineered Materials (AEM) and Radar Absorbing Structures (RAS) · Radiation Detection Measurement & Control Unit (RADMAC-A) · High Altitude Water Purification System (HAWPS) · Flexi Life Saver Water Bottle · SIGMA 3.0 Software |
24 | GTRE | · Development of gas turbines for aero engines, cruise missiles and associated technologies |
25 | HEMRL | · High Performance Solid Rocket Propellant (Specific Impulse ~250s) to increase payload and range of Rockets & Missiles. · High performance Gun Propellant for improved armour penetration capabilities. · Thermobaric composition for warhead to enhance lethality and performance · Less Sensitive Explosive compositions for IM compliant munition. · Tank protection technologies: Anti Thermal Anti Laser Smoke Grenades and Next Generation ERA(NGERA) · Aircraft protection technologies: IR Flars (MTV Based) and Chaff cartridges · Explosive Detection technologies: OPX Revilator for trace/micro detection. |
26 | IRDE | · Raman spectroscopy based Explosive identification technique · Digitised Libraries of Explosive Agents for quick identification · Laser based Dazzling technique for non-invasive countermeasures · Low power Laser based invisible deterrence technology · Video based Remote controlled Day /Night Capability with Alarm · laser based advanced surveillance device capable detection and location of Optical targets viz., NVD, CCD, LRF, Sniper Sight, Binoculars, etc. · Retro reflector based optical assembly based on CATS Eye effect · Sighting technology based on holography · Sighting technology with Day/Night capability and Laser based target Designation for Tanks · Visual Tracking based Laser Target neutralization Technology · Sighting System for small rifles, Shoulder Fired Missiles · Test jig for guided weapon performance evaluation before the firing of the missile. · optical surveillance technologies for detection of Targets
|
| 27 | INMAS | · Bike Ambulance |
28 | ISSA | · Systems Analysis Software Tool · Mission Planning Software for HEAUV · Air Direction Training Simulation System |
29 | LRDE | · Rotating 4D phased Array Radar with Solid State T/r Modules · Digital beamforming Technique · Advanced Electronic counter counter measure features (ECCM) · Modern generation coherent solid state Radar designed for 24 x 7 operation · First Ground based radar with Dual Frequency of operation for operation in inclement weather conditions · Detection algorithms for small RCS targets (boats & dingies) in presence heavy sea clutters · Ultra wide Band antenna technology · Step Frequency Continuous wave form technology · Low power signal and data processing Techniques · Clutter and data processing techniques for identification of buried objects · Ultra wide Band antenna technology · Step Frequency Continuous wave form technology
|
| 30 | NSTL |
|
| 31 | NPOL |
|
| 32 | NMRL |
|
| ||
| 33 | RCI | · Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker · Ku-band RF Seeker · Ship Inertial Navigation Systems (INS-SA) · Land INS (LNAV) · Miniature High Dynamics Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) · On Board Computers (OBC) · Integrated Avionics Modules · Electro Mechanical Actuators · Electro Pneumatic Actuators · Electro Hydraulic Actuators · On board batteries (PSS) · Launcher Interface units · Missile Interface Units · Seeker Processing Modules · Data link systems ( Tx & Rx) · Telemetry, Transponders and Tele Command Systems · MEMS Pressure Sensors · High Accuracy Quartz Accelerometers · Ring Laser Gyros (RLG) · Fiber Optic Gyros (FOG) · Radio Proximity Fuze (RPF) · Radio Altimeters · Ceramic /Composite Radomes · Antennas for Seekers / GPS / Altimeters/ Telemetry etc. · Environmental Test Facilities (ENTEST) · Hardware in Loop Simulation (HILS) · EMI /EMC test facility · Open Range RCS measurement Facility · Antenna Test Facility · Seeker test Facilities · System Integration (Mech. & Electrical) |
34 | R&DE(E) | · CompositeSonarDome · LargeSpanInflatableHangar · MobileShelter-NBC · UnexplodedOrdnanceHandlingRobot · SurveillanceRemotelyOperatedVehicle(SROV) · ConfinedSpaceRemotelyOperatedVehicle(CSROV) |
· 46mMLC-70ModularBridge · BarMineLayer · MountainFootBridge · MineFieldMarkingEquipmentMk-II · TrawlAssemblyforT-72fr-90Tanks · QRSAMMobileLauncherVehicleandCanister · MRSAM MobileLauncherSystem | ||
35 | SAG | · Technologies for ensuring Communication Security and assuring trust in security products |
36 | SSPL, Delhi |
|
| 37 | TBRL |
|
| 38 | VRDE | · 65HP Rotary Engine for conventional Take- off and Lading UAV · Development of Technologies for Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle: DeTA-UGV · 70Ton Tank Transporter for MBT Arjun MK-II |
39 | DYSL-QT | · Quantum Technology |
40 | DYSL-AI | · Artificial Engineering |
DRDO in collaboration with FICCI initiated a DRDO FICCI ATAC (Accelerated Technology Assessment Commercialization) program for Commercialization of DRDO technologies. During this period, 91 ToT agreements were fructified with industries and ToT fee of Rs 11.98 crores was realized.
Following Committees have reviewed DRDO:-
• Kelkar Committee (2004)
• Rama Rao Committee (2007)
• Kota Harinarayana Committee (2013)
• Shekatkar Committee (2016)
• Expert Committee constituted in August, 2019 under the chairmanship of Shri BP Sharma, Chairman RAC and former Secretary, DoP&T to work out roadmap for labs of Life Science (LS) cluster
• Expert Committee constituted in August, 2020 with Director IIT Delhi as Chairman and reps of ISRO and IAF to review charter of labs
• Expert Committee under the chairmanship of Shri BP Sharma, Former Secretary, DoP&T as Chairman and members from DoP&T and DSIR constituted in September 2020 for reviewing Re-organisation of Manpower by Cadre Restructure.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Vinod Kumar Sonkar and others in Lok Sabha today.
Very informative. Let me see if there is anything interesting I can spot.
ASL has a lot of responsibilities. I've picked a few:
ARDE is developing the following:
DRDL:
HEMRL:
DMRL's work can be broadly divided in to 3 groups:
1. High performance magnets probably for Navy's upcoming push towards electric propulsion:
2. Thermal protection for turbofans/scramjets:
3. High Strength penetrators:
VRDE is developing a UGV, it will probably be armed. They should just partner with Kalyani to develop the armed UGV Kalyani showcased.
Of course not everyone is interested in bombs, missiles & stuff. Some labs are working on far more important things like :
INMAS:
ASL has a lot of responsibilities. I've picked a few:
I wonder if by load bearing stealth structures they mean composite superstructures for ships or aircraft structures. Graphene coatings are used on nozzles of hypergolic engines, probably meant of the DACS on the ASAT. Thermal protection systems & C-SiC are obviously meant for ramjets/scramjets.
ARDE is developing the following:
Work on Kinetic Penetrators is ongoing, the tech is meant for APFSDS rounds & Air-to-Ground earth penetrators for targeting bunkers. Multi-point initiation is a solid fuel rocket restarting & throttling tech. I posted some schematics of this a few months back on the Missiles & Munitions thread. It is not known which missile will use this tech. Deep penetration warheads are being developed for AT use & also for the SAAW. Low L/D shaped charge warheads are primarily for torpedoes, though it can be used on other systems too. That last one is new to me.
DRDL:
For AAMs & SAMs to improve their probability of kill.
HEMRL:
The new solid propellants can be used everywhere. From ATGMs to ICBMs. A lot of focus is going into developing better APFSDS rounds. So far DRDO has a few thermobaric weapons, most notably they are used on Prithvi SRBMs & Arjun has a thermobaric round. IAF has a few thermobaric bombs. Are we going to see more weapons get thermobaric warheads ?
DMRL's work can be broadly divided in to 3 groups:
1. High performance magnets probably for Navy's upcoming push towards electric propulsion:
2. Thermal protection for turbofans/scramjets:
3. High Strength penetrators:
VRDE is developing a UGV, it will probably be armed. They should just partner with Kalyani to develop the armed UGV Kalyani showcased.
Of course not everyone is interested in bombs, missiles & stuff. Some labs are working on far more important things like :
INMAS:
& finally DRL:
Do we have any ship based satcom seems like our naval ships are using imported ones.Very informative. Let me see if there is anything interesting I can spot.
ASL has a lot of responsibilities. I've picked a few:
I wonder if by load bearing stealth structures they mean composite superstructures for ships or aircraft structures. Graphene coatings are used on nozzles of hypergolic engines, probably meant of the DACS on the ASAT. Thermal protection systems & C-SiC are obviously meant for ramjets/scramjets.
ARDE is developing the following:
Work on Kinetic Penetrators is ongoing, the tech is meant for APFSDS rounds & Air-to-Ground earth penetrators for targeting bunkers. Multi-point initiation is a solid fuel rocket restarting & throttling tech. I posted some schematics of this a few months back on the Missiles & Munitions thread. It is not known which missile will use this tech. Deep penetration warheads are being developed for AT use & also for the SAAW. Low L/D shaped charge warheads are primarily for torpedoes, though it can be used on other systems too. That last one is new to me.
DRDL:
For AAMs & SAMs to improve their probability of kill.
HEMRL:
The new solid propellants can be used everywhere. From ATGMs to ICBMs. A lot of focus is going into developing better APFSDS rounds. So far DRDO has a few thermobaric weapons, most notably they are used on Prithvi SRBMs & Arjun has a thermobaric round. IAF has a few thermobaric bombs. Are we going to see more weapons get thermobaric warheads ?
DMRL's work can be broadly divided in to 3 groups:
1. High performance magnets probably for Navy's upcoming push towards electric propulsion:
2. Thermal protection for turbofans/scramjets:
3. High Strength penetrators:
VRDE is developing a UGV, it will probably be armed. They should just partner with Kalyani to develop the armed UGV Kalyani showcased.
Of course not everyone is interested in bombs, missiles & stuff. Some labs are working on far more important things like :
INMAS:
& finally DRL:
Most of the receiver units the Navy uses are from the Israeli company Orbit. The units are very flexible in operations. You can connect to commercial SATCOM service providers like INMARSAT & Navy's own sats with it. Thus it makes little sense to replace the units that are in use.
ASL built a few SATCOM receiver terminal prototypes in collaboration with ISRO's SAC. It was going to have the option of using not only commercial SATCOM & dedicated military sats but also other Indian commercial sats, in case there is of emergency. For that you need a receiver that can process C, Ka, Ku, K, L & S band signals. Quite a demanding piece of hardware. Not sure how far that has progressed.
Then what DEAL is doing? Do they have any program for developing next gen. Satcom.
DEAL along with ECI developed the satcom based control data link for the Tapas/Rustom 2 UAV. The UAV uses LoS communications for shorter distances & switches to Satcom when it is out of range of LoS. Such a UAV Satcom datalink uses a narrower bandwidth than what would be needed for a warships. DEAL can try & make a wideband system, but then that's what ASL is also doing. I am not sure if they are doing that.
DEAL did end up using their experience from this project to make handheld & man-portable satcoms. This can be very helpful for spec ops units.
