08-05-2007, 05:29 PM
DRDO decides to invite faculty from colleges for collaborative research
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will invite teaching faculty from science and engineering colleges for carrying out research in its laboratories in collaboration with DRDO scientists.
This is part of its efforts to partner educational institutions for promoting research and coming up with products that will enhance the nation's defence capability, S. Vathsal, Director (Extramural Research and Intellectual Property Rights), DRDO, New Delhi, said here on Friday.
He was talking to reporters at Arunai Engineering College, where he had come to participate in the National Conference on Simulation, Modelling and Optimisation. Dr. Vathsal said the Defence Ministry was planning to enhance allocation for research and development.
DRDO would invite academics aged between 25-40. It would provide the seed money. They would be required to prove their research findings through patents and publications within a year.
Collaborations
DRDO was already collaborating on 265 projects with 88 educational institutions and universities. Such collaboration, hitherto confined to government educational institutions, would be extended to private institutions in future.
Dr. Vathsal said the DRDO was trying to enhance the number of patents obtained by Indian scientists. India did not figure among the top 10 nations with respect to the number of patents. It had about 5,000 to 6,000 patents. Patents held by the U.S. ran into several lakhs.
High cost of patents
The small number could be attributed to the very high cost of applying for a patent. Now the Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), Department of Science and Technology, had come forward to fund the efforts of universities, scientists and engineers in obtaining patents.
"We have about 10 to 15 success stories where the collaborative projects with universities have been useful in direct applications in the defence sector", he said, replying to a question on whether the collaborative projects had been useful to the country.
Dr. Vathsal said the country's technological development depended on forging a strong link among academic institutions, R&D laboratories and industry. Academic institutions should provide the manpower for research.
The labs would provide the facilities. And industry should manufacture the products developed.
"This link is very weak at present, and we are trying to strengthen it", he added.
DRDO develops anti-nuclear mask
Bangalore, May 19: In a significant development, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has indigenously developed state-of-the-art equipments to face any eventualities arising out of modern warfare like that of nuclear or chemical weapons.
The Chief Controller of Life Sciences Research and Human Resources, DRDO, Dr Selvamurthy said that the defence services have already begun the use of masks and modern equipments.
"DRDO has nine life science labs across the country and they have indigenously developed nuclear, biological and chemical defence masks, and other 35 products to face any threat arising out of chemical and nuclear wars. They have also developed bio warfare agents, field diagnostic kits to fight biological eventualities like that of typhoid, dengue, malaria, anthrax or any other viruses," he said.
The scientific arm of Indian Defence Services has also developed a de-contamination vehicle to sanitise air, ground and water.
"These labs have also developed chemical warfare detection system, portable chromatograph, to protect both civil and defence society. A de-contamination vehicle has also been developed to decontaminate air, ground and water," he said.
Kerala to have world-class missile facility soon
Wednesday June 27 2007 12:25 IST
T'PURAM : The state will soon have a worldclass missile development facility with the takeover of Kerala Hitech Industries Limited (Keltec) by BrahMos Aerospace.
Sources told this websiteâs newspaper that the takeover of Keltec by BrahMos was under the active consideration of Union Defence Ministry. Industry Department officials agreed that a formal agreement for take over of Keltec could be expected soon.
In May 2007, a Defence delegation from BrahMos visited Keltec to conduct spot study and analyse the potential of the company. The delegation members collected information and further directions are awaited from the Ministry of Defence.
A joint venture company with 50.5 percent stakes with the Indian Government and 49.5 percent shares by the Russian Government, BrahMos manufactures Supersonic Cruise Missiles with conventional warhead that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land. These missiles are unique due to its 2.8 Mach supersonic speed with much longer strike range than other missiles. BrahMos has evinced its interest in the take over of Keltec and to develop it into a world-class missile facility with system integration and testing. A supplier of high precision strategic defence and space equipment for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and ISRO, Keltec looks forward for its technological upgradation.
According to the State GO dated March 22, 2007, the takeover of Keltec would attract initial additional investments of about Rs 200 crore to the state. The advanced missile development facility will be the first Defence production unit in Kerala.
The facility in conjunction with ISRO will generate tax revenue to the state.
DRDO chief confirms submarine ballistic missile ready
Express News Service
Sunday, July 08, 2007
New Delhi, July 7: The country is set to complete its nuclear triad with DRDO indicating that it has completed development of a Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM). While earlier DRDO refused to comment on the project, its chief M Natarajan on Saturday said a âspecial purpose missileâ for the Navy has been launched.
Ministry sources said he was referring to the Sagarika or PJ 02 project SLBM. The two-stage missile, with a range of over 800 km, has been successfully tested thrice. This will give India the capability to launch nuclear weapons from land, air and under sea.
Sources said an award for developing a âspecial armament system for a strategic programme of national importanceâ given to a team led by S K Vasudeva is an indication that the project would shortly be made public.
The missile has been developed for deployment on the indigenous nuclear submarine code named Advanced Technology Vehicle. The submarine is scheduled for sea trials next year.
DRDO also said it was working on an advanced version of the Agni III to increase its range by 1,500 km. Nata- rajan said scientists working on the project have figured out a way of adding a third stage to the missile that will push up its range to 5000 km.
âIt looks possible to extend the range in the same model. We may be able to fit in another phase to extend it to another 1,500 km,â Natarajan said. The Agni III missile will be ready for induction into strategic command by 2010.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will invite teaching faculty from science and engineering colleges for carrying out research in its laboratories in collaboration with DRDO scientists.
This is part of its efforts to partner educational institutions for promoting research and coming up with products that will enhance the nation's defence capability, S. Vathsal, Director (Extramural Research and Intellectual Property Rights), DRDO, New Delhi, said here on Friday.
He was talking to reporters at Arunai Engineering College, where he had come to participate in the National Conference on Simulation, Modelling and Optimisation. Dr. Vathsal said the Defence Ministry was planning to enhance allocation for research and development.
DRDO would invite academics aged between 25-40. It would provide the seed money. They would be required to prove their research findings through patents and publications within a year.
Collaborations
DRDO was already collaborating on 265 projects with 88 educational institutions and universities. Such collaboration, hitherto confined to government educational institutions, would be extended to private institutions in future.
Dr. Vathsal said the DRDO was trying to enhance the number of patents obtained by Indian scientists. India did not figure among the top 10 nations with respect to the number of patents. It had about 5,000 to 6,000 patents. Patents held by the U.S. ran into several lakhs.
High cost of patents
The small number could be attributed to the very high cost of applying for a patent. Now the Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), Department of Science and Technology, had come forward to fund the efforts of universities, scientists and engineers in obtaining patents.
"We have about 10 to 15 success stories where the collaborative projects with universities have been useful in direct applications in the defence sector", he said, replying to a question on whether the collaborative projects had been useful to the country.
Dr. Vathsal said the country's technological development depended on forging a strong link among academic institutions, R&D laboratories and industry. Academic institutions should provide the manpower for research.
The labs would provide the facilities. And industry should manufacture the products developed.
"This link is very weak at present, and we are trying to strengthen it", he added.
DRDO develops anti-nuclear mask
Bangalore, May 19: In a significant development, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has indigenously developed state-of-the-art equipments to face any eventualities arising out of modern warfare like that of nuclear or chemical weapons.
The Chief Controller of Life Sciences Research and Human Resources, DRDO, Dr Selvamurthy said that the defence services have already begun the use of masks and modern equipments.
"DRDO has nine life science labs across the country and they have indigenously developed nuclear, biological and chemical defence masks, and other 35 products to face any threat arising out of chemical and nuclear wars. They have also developed bio warfare agents, field diagnostic kits to fight biological eventualities like that of typhoid, dengue, malaria, anthrax or any other viruses," he said.
The scientific arm of Indian Defence Services has also developed a de-contamination vehicle to sanitise air, ground and water.
"These labs have also developed chemical warfare detection system, portable chromatograph, to protect both civil and defence society. A de-contamination vehicle has also been developed to decontaminate air, ground and water," he said.
Kerala to have world-class missile facility soon
Wednesday June 27 2007 12:25 IST
T'PURAM : The state will soon have a worldclass missile development facility with the takeover of Kerala Hitech Industries Limited (Keltec) by BrahMos Aerospace.
Sources told this websiteâs newspaper that the takeover of Keltec by BrahMos was under the active consideration of Union Defence Ministry. Industry Department officials agreed that a formal agreement for take over of Keltec could be expected soon.
In May 2007, a Defence delegation from BrahMos visited Keltec to conduct spot study and analyse the potential of the company. The delegation members collected information and further directions are awaited from the Ministry of Defence.
A joint venture company with 50.5 percent stakes with the Indian Government and 49.5 percent shares by the Russian Government, BrahMos manufactures Supersonic Cruise Missiles with conventional warhead that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land. These missiles are unique due to its 2.8 Mach supersonic speed with much longer strike range than other missiles. BrahMos has evinced its interest in the take over of Keltec and to develop it into a world-class missile facility with system integration and testing. A supplier of high precision strategic defence and space equipment for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and ISRO, Keltec looks forward for its technological upgradation.
According to the State GO dated March 22, 2007, the takeover of Keltec would attract initial additional investments of about Rs 200 crore to the state. The advanced missile development facility will be the first Defence production unit in Kerala.
The facility in conjunction with ISRO will generate tax revenue to the state.
DRDO chief confirms submarine ballistic missile ready
Express News Service
Sunday, July 08, 2007
New Delhi, July 7: The country is set to complete its nuclear triad with DRDO indicating that it has completed development of a Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM). While earlier DRDO refused to comment on the project, its chief M Natarajan on Saturday said a âspecial purpose missileâ for the Navy has been launched.
Ministry sources said he was referring to the Sagarika or PJ 02 project SLBM. The two-stage missile, with a range of over 800 km, has been successfully tested thrice. This will give India the capability to launch nuclear weapons from land, air and under sea.
Sources said an award for developing a âspecial armament system for a strategic programme of national importanceâ given to a team led by S K Vasudeva is an indication that the project would shortly be made public.
The missile has been developed for deployment on the indigenous nuclear submarine code named Advanced Technology Vehicle. The submarine is scheduled for sea trials next year.
DRDO also said it was working on an advanced version of the Agni III to increase its range by 1,500 km. Nata- rajan said scientists working on the project have figured out a way of adding a third stage to the missile that will push up its range to 5000 km.
âIt looks possible to extend the range in the same model. We may be able to fit in another phase to extend it to another 1,500 km,â Natarajan said. The Agni III missile will be ready for induction into strategic command by 2010.