On March 5, 2021, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the flight demonstration of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from Integrated Test Range (ITR) Chandipur in Balasore, Odisha.
- This test not only proved the performance of SFDR and its subsystems including the booster motor and nozzle-less motor but also showed the capabilities of many new technologies.
- With this test, DRDO achieved a technological advantage of developing long range air-to-air missiles (AAMs) with SFDR.
About SFDR Demonstration:
i.During the test, the air-launch scenario was simulated using a booster motor. Subsequently, the nozzle-less booster accelerated it to the required Mach number for Ramjet operation.
ii.The performance of the missile was monitored using the data captured by Electro Optical, Radar and Telemetry instruments deployed by ITR along with senior scientists of various DRDO labs, including Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory(HEMRL).
About SFDR Technology:
i.Ramjet powered missiles provide greater range and a higher average speed compared to missiles powered by solid propellants.
ii.Ramjet missiles use atmospheric oxygen rather than including an oxidizer. This enables them to carry a bigger warhead.
iii.DRDO initiated SFDR technology in 2017 and had conducted successful tests in 2018 and 2019 as well.
Keel Laying of Third stealth frigate by GRSE
Meanwhile the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata, carried out keel laying of Yard 3024 (third stealth frigate) for the Navy under Advanced Stealth Frigate Project, P 17A.
- It will be constructed under the Rs 19,293 crore contract between GRSE and Ministry of Defence (MoD) for three stealth frigates under P-17A.
- The keel laying for the first frigate, INS (Indian Naval Ship) Himgiri, was done on November 10, 2018 and the frigate was launched on December 14, 2020.
Who has keel laid?
It was laid down by a senior operative Mithailal Pasi, Structural Fitter of Shipbuilding Shop at the Main Works Unit of GRSE, in the presence of Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani (AVSM, VSM} Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition (CWP&A), Indian Navy and Rear Admiral GK Harish, VSM, Director General of Naval Design.
Recent Related News:
i.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is set to establish India’s first thunderstorm research testbeds at Balasore, Odisha. The testbed will be established in collaboration between the Ministry of Earth Science, IMD, DRDO and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
ii.In January 2021, (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden launch of Akash-NG (New Generation) Surface to Air Missile (SAM) from ITR of Balasore along with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) & Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
Establishment– 1958
Chairman– Dr G Satheesh Reddy
Headquarters– New Delhi
Parent Ministry– Ministry of Defence
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE):
Incorporated– 1934 under the Indian Companies Act, 1913
Headquarter– Kolkata, West Bengal
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)– Rear Admiral Vipin Kumar Saxena
