Why is it in the News?

The Indian Navy has initiated trials to modernize its conventional submarine fleet by issuing a Rs 60,000 crore tender for the acquisition of highly advanced submarines equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology.

What is an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP)?

• Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) is a propulsion system used in submarines that allows them to operate underwater for extended periods without the need to surface or snorkel for air.
• Unlike traditional diesel-electric submarines, which rely on diesel engines for surface propulsion and battery-powered electric motors for submerged propulsion, AIP-equipped submarines use a supplementary propulsion system that generates power independently of atmospheric oxygen.
• AIP systems typically employ technologies such as fuel cells, closed-cycle diesel engines, Stirling engines, or other innovative methods to generate electricity or mechanical power for propulsion while submerged.
  • Closed Cycle Diesel Engines: These engines use stored liquid oxygen and an inert gas, such as argon, to run the diesel engine while submerged.
  • Closed Cycle Steam Turbines: These systems generate steam using stored liquid oxygen and a fuel source, such as diesel or bioethanol, to power a turbine and produce electricity.
  • Stirling Cycle Engines: This technology utilizes a closed-cycle heat engine to generate power using a temperature difference between a hot and cold source.
  • Fuel Cells: These devices convert chemical energy from a fuel, such as hydrogen, and an oxidizing agent, like stored liquid oxygen, into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction.
• These systems produce minimal noise and exhaust, allowing submarines to operate quietly and stealthily underwater, making them less vulnerable to detection by sonar and other detection systems.
• The implementation of AIP technology significantly enhances the stealth and endurance capabilities of submarines, enabling them to conduct longer-duration covert missions and remain submerged for extended periods, thereby enhancing their overall operational effectiveness.
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is pioneering fuel cell-based AIP systems, unique for their hydrogen generation capabilities.
• Developed by the Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) of DRDO, these systems offer flexibility in operation modes to meet diverse user requirements.

Why is it in the News?

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently tested a next-generation torpedo release system aimed at boosting the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

What is a SMART System?

• The SMART system, designed to bolster the Indian Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities, represents a fusion of cutting-edge technology and indigenous innovation.
• With its supersonic capabilities and torpedo release mechanism, the SMART system offers a formidable deterrent against potential submarine threats, enhancing the Indian Navy's operational readiness and maritime defence posture.
• The SMART system comprises a mechanism by which the torpedo is launched from a supersonic missile system with modifications that would take the torpedo to a far longer range than its own.
  • For example, a torpedo with a range of a few kilometres can be sent a distance to the tune of 1000 km by the missile system from where the torpedo is launched.
• The system also gives flexibility in terms of the missile system’s launch platform.
• A number of DRDO laboratories including Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and Research Centre Imarat (RCI), both in Hyderabad; Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) in Agra; and Naval Science and Technology Laboratory (NSTL) Visakhapatnam have developed the technologies required for SMART.

Key Features of SMART Anti-submarine Missile System:

• It is a canister-based, long-range anti-submarine missile system.
• It has been developed by the DRDO for the Indian Navy.
• The objective behind the project is to develop a quick reaction system that can launch a torpedo from a standoff distance.
• The missile has a range of 643 km carrying a lightweight torpedo of range 20 km with a 50 kg high explosive warhead.
• SMART uses a two-way data link connected to airborne or ship-based submarine detection and identification systems.
• It can be launched from a surface ship or a truck-based coastal battery.
• The missile is powered by a dual-stage solid-propellant rocket and utilizes electro-mechanical actuators for course correction.
• The missile utilizes sea skimming to reduce detection range.
• The first successful test of SMART was done on 5 October 2020 from Abdul Kalam Island.

Significance:

• This missile-based mechanism to launch lightweight torpedoes can target submarines hundreds of kilometres away — far beyond the conventional range of lightweight torpedoes.
• It will be particularly employed in the absence of other assets for immediate action when an enemy submarine is detected.

Why is it in the News?

The counter-drone system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is ready for production and has already been demonstrated to armed services and other internal security agencies with some orders already placed.

Key Highlights from the Report:

• The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has successfully engineered an indigenous counter-drone technology designed to counter various types of drone attacks, encompassing both soft and hard kill capabilities, particularly effective against micro drones.
• Significance: This cutting-edge system employs a laser-based kill mechanism for the detection and destruction of drones in the airspace.
  • Notably, it can proficiently detect and disrupt micro drones within a range of 3 kilometres, employing laser signals to neutralize targets situated at distances between 1 to 2.5 kilometres.
• The technology has been seamlessly transferred to private industries, including Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Adani, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and Icom.
  • This strategic transfer enhances collaboration between the public and private sectors for the continued advancement and deployment of this crucial anti-drone technology.

What are Counter-Drone Systems?

• Counter-drone systems serve as defensive mechanisms designed to thwart potential drone attacks through the processes of detection, identification, and neutralization.
• These systems are broadly categorized as kinetic or non-kinetic.
• Kinetic Systems: Kinetic counter-drone systems employ projectiles, such as bullets or missiles, to destroy an intruding drone.
  • They integrate advanced sensors like radar for drone detection, coupled with a motorized platform to precisely aim and fire the weapon.
• Non-Kinetic Systems: Non-kinetic counter-drone systems focus on disrupting flight capabilities or corrupting signals crucial for control and navigation.
  • This is achieved by emitting noise signals at specific frequencies, rendering the drone incapable of receiving command signals.
  • Additionally, non-kinetic systems may transmit false GPS signals, creating confusion in the drone's navigation system.

Why is it in the News?

The Defence Research Development Organisation's robotics team utilized the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Daksh to aid in the ongoing rescue operations during the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse.

What is ROV Daksh?

• Daksh is a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), designed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) for the recovery of unexploded bombs.
• It can negotiate various hurdles in an urban setting and can also be utilised to survey and monitor nuclear and chemical contamination levels.
• 90% of its components are indigenous.
• It has ladder climbing abilities and can function for three continuous hours, with the capability to operate over distances exceeding 100 to 500 meters.
• It serves the bomb disposal units (BDU) of an army, police, and paramilitary forces, aiding in handling IEDs and other dangerous substances.
• Its manipulator arm can handle hazardous objects weighing up to 20kg from 2.5 meters and 9kg from 4 meters away.
• Daksh demonstrates the ability to climb stairs and maneuver steep slopes, with durable rubber wheels capable of withstanding blast impacts.
• It is equipped with multiple cameras, IED handling tools, nuclear biological chemical (NBC) reconnaissance systems, a master control station (MCS), and a shotgun.
• The equipment is specifically designed for use on a motorized pan-tilt platform, which can help reach the risky terrain.

Why is it in the News?

Recently Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out a flight trial of the Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, an indigenous high-speed flying-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from the Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga in Karnataka.

About the Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator:

• The Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator is a domestically developed high-speed flying-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) crafted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)’s Aeronautical Development Establishment.
• Its inaugural flight took place in July 2022, marking significant progress in the development of robust aerodynamic and control systems, real-time integration, hardware-in-loop simulation, and an advanced Ground Control Station.
• The project team successfully optimized avionic systems, integration processes, and flight operations, culminating in the seventh and final flight in the ultimate configuration.
• Constructed with a complex arrowhead wing platform, the UAV prototype utilizes a lightweight carbon prepreg composite material developed indigenously.
• A noteworthy feature is the autonomous landing capability, eliminating the need for ground radars, infrastructure, or a pilot.
  • This unique capability demonstration allows take-off and landing from any runway with surveyed coordinates.
• This technology demonstrator has been developed for India's secretive stealth combat drone called Ghatak.
  • The successful flight in a tailless configuration has propelled India into the prestigious group of nations that have perfected the controls for the Flying wing configuration

Indian Joins Elite Club:

• With this flight in the tailless configuration, India has joined the elite club of countries to have mastered the controls for the flying wing technology.
• These flight tests led to achievements in the development of robust aerodynamic and control systems; integrated real-time and hardware-in-loop simulation, and a state-of-the-art Ground Control Station, informed the DRDO.

Aatmanirbharta

• The DRDO team had optimised the avionic systems, integration and flight operations towards the successful seventh flight in the final configuration.
  • The aircraft prototype, with a complex arrowhead wing platform, is designed and manufactured with lightweight carbon prepreg composite material developed indigenously.
• Also, the composite structure, impregnated with fibre interrogators for health monitoring, is a showcase of ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in aerospace technology.