Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was established in 1958 by amalagamating Defence Science Organisation and some of the technical development establishments. A separate Department of Defence Research and Development was formed in 1980 which now administers DRDO and its 50 laboratories/establishments. DDRO is currently directed by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who was previously director of the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) responsible for India's missile development program. One reason for the delay in DRDO-led projects lies in the DRDO's institutional focus on R&D, rather than on delivering a product. Furthermore DRDO is a non-commercial government department, hamstrung by procurement rules and practices. By tradition and practice, R&D labs are less focused on deliverables and project management. The DRDO is like an academic institution; it is in the business of teaching and learning. If they are told to make a product which is deliverable and marketable and which they have to get certified by somebody, they don't know how to do it. Most of the time the Defence Research Development Organisation was treated as if it was a vendor and the Army Headquarters or the Air Headquarters were the customers. Because the Army and the Air Force themselves did not have any design or construction responsibility, they tended to treat the designer or Indian industry at par with their corresponding designer in the world market. If they could get a MiG 21 from the world market, they wanted a MiG 21 from DRDO. This was never possible and never feasible. The Department of Defence Research and Development formulates and executes programmes of scientific research, design and development in the fields of relevance to national security leading to the induction of new weapons, platforms and other equipments required by the Armed Forces. It also functions as the nodal agency for the execution of major development programmes of relevance to Defence through integration of research, development, testing and production facilities with the national scientific institutions, public sector undertakings and other agencies. It functions under the control of Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri who is also Secretary, Defence Research and Development.

Research and development activities at DRDO cover important demarcated disciplines like aeronautics, rockets and missiles, electronics and instrumentation, combat vehicles, engineering, naval systems, armament technology including explosives research, terrain research, advanced computing, artificial intelligence,robotics, works study, systems analysis and life sciences including high-altitude agriculture, physiology, food technology and nuclear medicine. In addition to undertaking research and development activities, DRDO also assists the Services by rendering technical advice regarding formulation of requirements, evaluation of systems to be acquired, fire and explosive safety and mathematical and statistical analysis of operational problems.

DRDO has made significant achievements in its efforts to meet the requirements of the three Services. The notable developmental successes include flight simulators for aircrafts, 68mm reusable rocket pod, brake parachute for fighter aircrafts, mini remotely piloted vehicle, light field gun, new family of light weight small arms systems, charge line mine clearing vehicle for safe passage of vehicles in battlefield and illuminating ammunitions for enhancing night fighting capabilities. Cluster weapon systems for fighter aircraft, naval mines, next generation bombs for high speed aircraft and low-level hombing, mountain gun, 130 mm SP gun, lowlevel tracking radar Indra-I and II for Army and Air Force, light field artillery radar, battlefield surveillance radar, secondary surveillance radar have also been achieved. Bridge layer-tank Kartik, military bridging systems capable of withstanding tank load, advanced ship sonar systems, advanced sonobuoys, naval decoys. naval simulators, torpedo launchers, advanced materials and composites for military applications and parallel processsing computer for aerodynamic computations have also been developed. Several high-technology projects are in various stages of design and development. The main battle tank Arjun, incorporating state-of-art tank technologies with superior fire power, high mobility and excellent protecion has been developed. A limited number of tanks are being produced as pre-production series which are in final stages of evaluation by the Army. A light combat aircraft which would be lighter than any other combat aircraft and would incorporate modern design concepts and several state-of-the art technologies, is under full scale engineering development. The Integrated Guided Missile Development program is in progress. The program comprises of five missile systems: Prithvi - surface-to-surface tactical battlefield missile, Akash medium range surface-to-air - missile systems, Trishul -a short range surface-to-air missile and Nag third generation anti-tank missile, and Agni, an intermediate range ballistic missile. DRDO is working in various areas of military technology which include aeronautics, armaments, combat vehicles, electronics, instrumentation engineering systems, missiles, materials, naval systems, advanced computing, simulation and life sciences. DRDO while striving to meet the Cutting edge weapons technology requirements provides ample spinoff benefits to the society at large thereby contributing to the nation buliding.

ESTABLISHMENTS/LABS OF DRDO
The Department operates through a network of around 48 laboratories and establishments located nationwide and manned by over 34,000 personnel, including about 16,000 scientific technical persons
Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bangalore Advanced Numerical Research & Analysis Group (ANURAG), Hyderabad Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune Center for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR), Bangalore Center for Fire,Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES) Center for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC), Bangalore Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS), Bangalore Combat Vehicles Research & Development Estt. (CVRDE), Chennai Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research (DIBER), Haldwani Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE), Bangalore Defence Bio-Engineering & Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL), Bangalore Defence Electronics Application Laboratory (DEAL), Dehradun Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL), Hyderabad Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), Mysore Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), Deemed University, Pune Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Delhi Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), Delhi Defence Laboratory (DLJ), Jodhpur Defence Materials & Stores Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), Hyderabad Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad Defence Research & Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Tejpur Defence Scientific Information & Documentation Centre (DESIDOC), Delhi Defence Terrain Research Laboratory (DTRL), Delhi Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), Bangalore Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), Bangalore High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS), Delhi Institute of Systems Studies & Analysis (ISSA), Delhi Institute of Technology Management (ITM), Mussorie Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE), Dehradun Integrated Test Range (ITR), Balasore Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC), Delhi Microwave Tube Research & Development Center (MTRDC), Bangalore Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL), Ambernath Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Cochin Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Vishakapatnam Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Balasore Research & Development Establishment (R&DE), Pune Research Center Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad Scientific Analysis Group (SAG), Delhi Snow & Avalanche Study Estt (SASE), Chandigarh Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), Delhi Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory( TBRL),Chandigarh Vehicle Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahmednagar

AERONAUTICAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

ADA, Department of Defence R&D is the nodal agency for the design & development of LCA. HAL is the principal partner in LCA Programme with participation of DRDO & CSIR Laboratories, Public & private sector industries and academic institutions.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of India's Ministry of Defence was established in Bangalore in 1984 to oversee the development of the nation's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme. Airframe HAL-Tejas uses as high as 45 percent composite in its airframe. Composite structure owe their lightweight characteristics to the designer freedom to place the load carrying material only where it is required.This is achieved by using lightweight, high-strength fibers embedded in a design matrix which can be oriented during the manufacturing process to suit the designers requirements. Facilities

ASMS Cockpit Environment Facility Computing Center Iron Bird LCA Hangar Lightening Test Facility Virtual Reality Wind Tunnel Testing Facility

Software Development ADA has established advanced state of the art computing center with several powerful equipments and software. ADA has developed specialized software in the fields of computeraided design (CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), avionics, systems, independent validation and verification, flight simulation. The spin-off benefits of the research and development is realized with help of commercial partnership with leading multi-national companies such as Boeing, Airbus, IBM, Dassault Systmes, Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC). The following are some of the software developed for the LCATejas development programme.

Autolay CADTRANS FINESSE FINEGRAF

The Need For LCA Program

The value of the aerospace "self-reliance" initiative was not simply the production of an aircraft, but also the building of a local industry capable of creating state-of-the-art products with commercial spin-offs for a global market. The LCA program was intended in part to further expand and advance India's indigenous aerospace capabilities. In the early eighties, it was realised that no organization existed which had the total capability to develop such an aircraft all on its own. The last time an indigenous fighter aircraft, the HF 24 flew was in 1961. Since then, the HF 24 assembly line had been shut down and the design team had been wound up. The only way left was to develop an aircraft from scratch. To better accomplish these goals, the government of India in 1984 decided to establish the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to manage the LCA programme. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, (HAL) was to be the principal partner with participation of various DRDO & CSIR Laboratories, Public & private sector industries and academic institutions.

Genesis
The LCA design was finalised in 1990 as a small tail-less delta winged machine with relaxed static stability (RSS) to enhance manoeuvrability performance and a host of other advanced features. A review committee was formed in May 1989 which reported that Indian infrastructure, facilities and technology had advanced sufficiently in most areas to undertake the project. It was decided that the full-scale engineering development (FSED) stage of the programme would proceed in two stages.

Phase 1 - TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION STAGE (TD-1 & 2)

The focus in this phase was on proof of concept. It entailed the development and testing of two technology demonstrator aircraft. These aircraft were called TD-1 and TD-2. The decision to move forward was to be taken after the successful completion of this phase. This would be followed by the production of additional prototype vehicles. There were teething issues during this phase and finally TD-1 flew on 04 January 2001 with Wing Commander Rajiv Kothiyal on the controls. The significance of this golden-day in the history of Indian aviation can be gauged by the fact that the last time an indigenous aircraft had got airborne was almost 40 years ago on 17 June 1961.

Phase 2 - ADDITIONAL TESTING PHASE (PV-1, PV-2, PV-3 and PV-5)

This phase consisted of additional testing and development of systems using Prototype Vehicles which would lead to the development of the final variant that would join the IAF and the Indian Navy. The first Prototype Vehicle, PV-1 flew on 25 November 2003. By 2005, the Tejas had proven itself in the testing phase and the first order for 20 Series Production aircrafts was placed. A follow on order for an additional 20 SP aircraft was placed in 2010.

PLANNED PRODUCTION VARIANTS

Tejas Trainer Two-seat operational conversion trainer for the Indian Air Force. Tejas Navy Twin- and single-seat carrier-capable variants for the Indian Navy. The LCA's naval variant is to be ready for carrier trials by 2013 and is slated for deployment on the INS Vikramaditya as well as the Vikrant class aircraft carrier. It will be equipped for carrier operation with the capability to carry out ski-jump take-off and arrested landing. It will include strengthened airframe and landing gear and the nose is drooped for better cockpit vision. Series Production SP-1 to SP-40 Planned for start in 2013

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Tejas Mark 2 - Featuring more powerful General Electric F414-GE-INS6 engine with 98Kn thrust and refined aerodynamics. The Mark 2 is being developed to meet the Indian Air Staff requirements. Milestones 1980s 1983 DRDO got permission to initiate a programme to design and develop a Light Combat Aircraft 1984 Government of India set up Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) as the nodal agency developing the LCA and managing the program. 1985 IAF generated Air Staff Requirements (ASR) for LCA in October 1985. 1986 Government allocated Rs. 575 Crores for the LCA programme. Programme to develop an indigenous power plant (engine)- Kaveri was launched at GTRE. 1987 Project definition commenced in October 1987 with French aircraft major Dassault Aviation as consultants. 1988 Project definition phase completed in September 1988. 1989 Government review committee expressed confidence in LCA programme. It was decided that the programme will be implemented in two phases. 1990s 1990 Design of LCA was completed as a tail-less compound delta winged relaxed static stability aircraft.

Phase 1 (Technology Demonstrator) of the development was commenced to create the proof of concept. 1993 Full funding approved from April 1993 and development work for phase 1 started in June. 1995 First technology demonstrator, TD-1, rolled out on 17 November. 1997 Multi-Mode Radar (MMR) for LCA design work started at HAL Hyderabad division and LRDE.

2000s 2001 4 January the historic first flight of the Technology Demonstrator TD-1 marking a new era in the aviation history of India. 2002 6 June - TD-2 made her successful maiden flight. 2003 Prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee named LCA "Tejas" meaning Radiance in ancient Indian language Sanskrit. Tejas crossed the sonic barrier for the first time 25 November - PV-1 made her successful maiden flight. 2005 1 December - PV-2 made her successful maiden flight. 2006 1 December - PV-3 flew for the first time for 27 minutes at an altitude of 2.5 km and at a speed of Mach 0.8. PV-3 was equipped with a more advanced pilot interface, refined avionics and higher control law capabilities compared with the previous versions. 2007 25 April - The first Limited Series Production LCA (LSP-1) made her first flight and reached a speed of Mach 1.1 in the very first flight. PV-2 and PV-3 underwent sea-level trials at INS Rajali Naval Air Station, Arakkonam to study the effects of flying at sea-level, as all earlier trials have been conducted at Bangalore which is 3,000 feet (910 m) above sea-level. The reliability of the LCA systems under the hot and humid conditions, as well as low level flight characteristics was tested. 7 September - Tejas Prototype Vehicle (PV-1) made a successful flight with two external drop tanks of 800 Ltrs capacity. 25 October - Tejas PV-1 fired R-73 (CCM) missile for the first time. The trials were conducted off the Goa coast at INS Hansa Naval Air Station. 11 December - LITENING targeting pod was successfully tested on Tejas PV-2. 2008 LCA Tejas prototypes PV-2 & PV-3 underwent hot weather trials at Air Force Station, Nagpur from 28 May 2008 to 4 June 2008. 16 June - Tejas second Limited Series Production LCA (LSP-2) made its first flight.

7 November - LCA Prototype Vehicle-3 made first successful night flight. 13 December - PV-3 and LSP-2 completed the high altitude test at Leh, world's highest operational airfield. 2009 22 January - Tejas completed 1000 flights. October - PV-3 and LSP-2 completed air-to-ground weapons delivery trials. 26 November - Two seater (Trainer) version of Tejas (PV-5) made its maiden flight on 26 Nov 09. 7 December - Tejas speed envelope expanded to 1350 km/h (CAS) while performing flight flutter test in a dive to near sea level. These tests were conducted at INS Hansa, Goa. 2010s 2010 23 April - LCA Tejas LSP-3 made maiden flight. LSP-3 is close to the final configuration including the new air-data computers, Hybrid Multi Mode Radar, new communication and navigation equipment and radar warning receiver. With this the LCA programme has completed 1350 test flights logging about 800 flying hours. 2 June - LCA Tejas LSP-4 made successful maiden Flight. In addition to the LSP-3 standard of preparation, the aircraft also flew with the Countermeasure Dispensing System 19 November - LCA Tejas LSP-5 made successful maiden Flight. 2011 10 January - Certification for the Release to Service.