The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has sanctioned 7 new projects to private entities under Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme, to cater the various requirements of the Armed Forces and aerospace & defence sectors.
- These projects will cover diverse areas such as: simulation toolkits, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAVs), ice detection sensors, and smart e-textiles, among others.
Aim: To bolster India’s military-industrial ecosystem and will give boost to Government of India (GoI)’s ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) initiative.
About the Projects:
i.Indigenous Scenario and Sensor Simulation Toolkit: It includes the indigenously developed toolkit for simulator training of pilots in realistic scenarios. It will help in full mission planning and large force engagement.
- The project has been awarded to Noida (Uttar Pradesh (UP))-based start-up, Oxygen 2 Innovation Private Limited.
ii.Underwater Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV) : The project aimed to develop versatile marine battlefield accessories which can be deployed in various combat roles. It is a part of a larger framework of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).
- The project has been awarded to Sagar Defence Engineering Private Limited in Pune, Maharashtra.
iii.Long-range Remotely Operated Vehicles for Detection & Neutralisation: The vehicles are dual-use systems that will enable detection, classification, localization and neutralisation of underwater objects and will also keep the key assets away from the suspected operational area.
- The project has been awarded Kochi (Kerala)-based start-up, IROV Technologies Private Limited.
iv.Development of Ice Detection Sensor for Aircraft: It aims to develop a mechanism that will detect icing condition inflight, caused by super cooled water droplets that freezes after their impact against the aircraft external surfaces and is used by the aircraft for turning on the aircraft Anti-icing mechanism.
- The project has been awarded to Craftlogic Labs Private Limited based in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
v.Development of Radar Signal Processor with Active Antenna Array Simulator: This project will enable the deployment of various target system for test and evaluation of various short range aerial weapon system. It will act as the basic building block for larger radar systems.
- The project has been given to Data Pattern (India) Limited based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN).
vi.Development of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System-based Timing Acquisition & Dissemination System: The project aims to enable indigenisation of timing acquisition and dissemination system. It will use Indian Constellation for acquiring time and development of customized and flexible timing system as per range requirements.
- The project has sanctioned to Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Accord Software & Systems Private Limited.
vii.Development of Graphene Based Smart & E-textiles for Multifunctional Wearable Applications: The project will develop a conductive yarn and fabric-making processes by using graphene nanomaterials and conductive inks. The end- product will be advanced nanocomposite materials-based E-textiles utilizing the inherent benefits for practical clothing applications.
- The project has been sanctioned to the start-up, Alohatech Private Limited based in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (TN).
About Technology Development Fund (TDF):
i.It is a flagship programme of Ministry of Defence (MoD),GoI executed by the DRDO under ‘Make in India’ initiative.
ii.It focuses on funding innovation in defence and aerospace, particularly benefiting start-ups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
About Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO):
It is the Research and Development (R&D) wing of Ministry of Defence (MoD), GoI.
Chairman- Dr. Samir Vankatpati Kamat
Headquarter– New Delhi, Delhi
Formed–1958
