India test-fires 4000 km-range nuclear capable #AgniIV missile successfully

India test-fires 4000 km-range nuclear capable #AgniIV missile successfully pic.twitter.com/mkWNtFQhsq
— Press Release Watch (@PrReleaseWatch) December 2, 2014

Carrying a one-tonne dummy warhead the nuclear weapons capable long range missile was launched for the first time by the Indian Army’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC) around 10.15 am  from the Wheeler Island, off the Odisha Coast.

Agni 4,the 4000kms range Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile was successfully launched from the wheeler island off the coast of Odisha today
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 2, 2014

Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister Avinash Chander, Top DRDO missile scientists, including Director-General Missiles and Strategic Systems Dr. V,G.Sekaran, project director Tessy Thomas and RCI Director Satheesh Reddy were present at the launch site.

Revamp of DRDO and defence PSUs in light of 49 per cent FDI in Defence sector

A Committee headed by Dr. P. Rama Rao was constituted by the Government for reviewing the functioning of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The Organisation has implemented the following recommendations of the Committee within its powers:

•    Nomination of Nodal Officers for structured interaction between DRDO and Services.

•    Introduction of Integrated Financial Advice (IFA) Scheme for financial decentralization.

•    Appointment of a dedicated Chief Controller for Human Resources (HR).

•    Creation of Seven Technology Domain based Clusters headed by Director’s General, Restructuring of DRDO HQrs, Creation of Directorate of Systems Analysis and Modelling (SAM) and Directorate of Quality, Reliability and Safety (QR&S).

•    Efforts have also been made to increase budget for Extramural Research as recommended by the Committee.

Note has been initiated by DRDO for approval of the Cabinet for:

•    Creation of empowered Defence Technology Commission (DTC).

•    Creation of a Commercial Arm of DRDO.

•    Renaming of Director General, DRDO as Chairman, DRDO.

•    Creation of 5 Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) posts alongwith 162 other posts for full scale implementation of IFA Scheme.

At present, there is no proposal to revamp the Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) to make them capable for developing advance weapons systems. The DPSUs have a strategy for strengthening their capabilities for producing and supplying various Weapon Systems and Platforms required by Defence Forces within the agreed timeframe. Some of the DPSUs have also collaborated with DRDO and other R&D institutions in this regard. With the objective of achieving self-reliance in defence production, the Ordnance Factories and DPSUs have been continuously modernizing and upgrading their capabilities and widening their product range.

Adequate resources have been made available by the government to DRDO for carrying out research and development works. Government continuously monitors the capacity utilization of DPSUs and emphasis is given for augmentation and modernization of their capacities to meet the growing demand of the Armed Forces.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Arun Jaitley in a written reply to Shri Baijayant Jay Panda in Lok Sabha today.

BrahMos supersonic cruise missile tested

India successfully test-fires advanced version of 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. pic.twitter.com/k5pGNhXmvh
— Press Release Watch (@PrReleaseWatch) July 8, 2014

According to DRDO the missile was test-fired from a mobile launcher from the Integrated Test Range(ITR) at Chandipur at about 10.40am.The 290km range two-stage missile has already been inducted into the Army and Navy, and the Air Force version is in final stages of trial.

Akash missile ready for induction into #army: DRDO

Akash missile ready for induction into #army: DRDO pic.twitter.com/BiJd7xSaDO
— Press Release Watch (@PrReleaseWatch) June 18, 2014

#DRDO gets a new HAL-built Do-228 for a radar flying test bed

HAL Dornier Do-228 is a light transport aircraft manufactured under licence from Dornier Luftfohrt GmbH of Germany.

Functional versatility with low operating costs makes HAL Do-228 adaptable for a wide variety of roles including Commuter, Air Taxi, Utility, Corporate, Aircrew Training, Maritime Surveillance, Search & Rescue and for Observation & Communication duties.

Garrett turbo prop engines, avionics and accessories that go into the aircraft are also manufactured at HAL Divisions.

This highly fuel efficient, rugged, reliable, twin turbo-prop aircraft combines well proven features with advanced technologies in design and production and has been developed specifically to meet the manifold requirements of a variety of roles for various military, para-military and civil operators.

New Aerodynamic profile and special wing shape employed in HAL-Dornier-228 provide for better take-off, climb and cruise performance and result in fuel savings of upto 20% over conventional wing design.

The aircraft, originally designed, developed and manufactured by M/s Dornier GmbH, Germany is presently manufactured only by HAL. Owing to its satisfying relationship with M/s Dornier established over more than a decade, HAL now has world-wide right for marketing of HAL-Dornier-228 and can extend logistics / spares support throughout the operating life of aircraft.

The Garrett TPE-331-5-252D Engines, Landing Gears and many of the instruments and avionics of the HAL- Dornier-228 aircraft are also manufactured in-house at different facilities of HAL.

Full fledged facilities for repair, maintenance and overhaul of this aircraft, its engines and large number of rotables are available within HAL, enabling it to provide single-source Product Support for the complete aircraft.

HAL has established a large customer base for HAL-Dornier-228 and has been supporting Regional Air Services, Defence Forces -Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and other customers on regular basis. Through continuous modernisation / updation programs, HAL has developed the capability to provide tailor-made solutions to the customer's requirements.

India's Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) interceptor missile launched

First Look! India's Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) interceptor missile just after lift-off today. | pic.twitter.com/92Yb99GuJM
— Livefist (@livefist) April 27, 2014

A significant milestone achieved in the direction of developing a two layered Ballistic Missile Defence system, DRDO today successfully carried out the maiden PDV mission meeting the mission objectives. PDV mission is for engaging the targets in the exo-atmosphere region at about more than 120km altitude.

Both, the PDV interceptor and the two stage target equipped with motors were specially developed for the PDV mission. The target was developed for mimicking a "hostile Ballistic Missile approaching from more than 2000 km away" was launched at 0907 hrs from a Ship in the Bay of Bengal.

In an automated operation, radar based detection and tracking system detected and tracked the enemy's ballistic missile. The computer network with the help of data received from Radars predicted the Trajectory of the incoming Ballistic Missile. PDV that was kept fully ready, took-off once the Computer system gave the necessary command for lift-off.

The Interceptor guided by high accuracy Inertial Navigation System (INS) supported by a Redundant Micro Navigation System moved towards the estimated point of the interception. Once Missile crossed atmosphere, the Heat Shield ejected and the IR Seeker dome opened to look at the Target location as designated by the Mission Computer. With the help of Inertial Guidance and IR Seeker the Missile moved for interception.