We’re told by the DRDO that that earlier today, flying at sea skimming height of about 15 metres at DRDO’s instrumented test-range near Balasore, the Lakshya-II the advanced version of the DRDO’s Pilotless Target Aircraft, developed by the bengaluru-based Aeronautical development Establishment (ADE) demonstrated its ‘full’ capability. It seems that in a flight—its tenth—lasting over 30 minutes, it was made to dive down from an altitude of around 800 metres to just 12 metres and maintained the required altitude for the specified time before demonstrating auto climb-out. The entire flight was pre-programmed and it demonstrated various technologies and sub-systems, including software correction to auto-rudder scheme done to prevent loss of mission, engaging and flying in waypoint navigation mode while carrying twin towed targets. During the flight one of the tow targets was released and the other was deployed while the waypoint navigation mode was engaged. This was also the first time that the ‘ultimate capability’ of the Lakshya-II was demonstrated, and it reportedly achieved all the user’s objectives. If that is indeed the case, then the Lakshya-II ought to be consigned to the junkyard, since its ‘demonstrated’ parameters in no way come even near to that the Indian armed forces have been using all this while, this being the Mirach 100/5 from Italy’s SELEX Galileo (see: http://www.selex-sas.com/EN/Common/files/SELEX_Galileo/Products/MIRACH_100_5.pdf)
52 comments:
Hi Prasun!
Interesting Read
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article2829121.ece
To Anon@11.53PM: All I can say is that the first half of the OP-ED is factually 100% accurate.
So Nirbhay is an UAV which will simulate the trajectory of a cruise missile ? Or Nirbhay UAV project is cancelled ? If its a UAV simulating a cruise missile where in which scenario it will be used ?
@11:53 PM
the opinion by Mr. Pravin is shallow and incorrect analysis. Reaching to conclusions about ATV (when it is ultrasecretive) and comparing it with US subs is actually childish. Honestly how many Nuke subs are for sale/lease around the world. Even if France is willing (i dont take the argument that US will help India with nuclear tech) to help in development, Pakistan or china can easily block such transfers. Russia alone can do such things just because it is not so friendly with either china or pakistan.
We do need advanced technology and has to have the learning curve if it is not available off the shelf. It is so childish to state that if you can send a rocket to space at 10000 km why cant you make a missile of 8000 km range. does the guy know no difference between space rockets and missiles. dont forget we are speaking about a nation who is yet to make own conventional submarine.
DRDO also tested Black kite, Golden Hawk & Pushpak micro and mini UAV's Imperial Eagle and Sly Bird. Can you tell us more about these UAVs ? Which one of them will enter service and in what number ?
prasunda
are the assertions made by the above hindu article entirely true?? in that case can you give us a good comparison between the chinese SSBNs and SSGNs and the ones envisaged for INDIA in terms of stealth, ASW, ASuW,land attack capabilities and operational range.
Is India working in the field of Supercavitation like Supercavitating torpedos or Subs ?
After Barak i don't recall India signing any new joint ventures with Israel. Do you know about any new ventures ?
Any new progress in stealth technology for AMCA ?
Any new generation avionics ?
Are our IT companies involved in any defence project ? If yes then which ones ?
Who is building BMS, TCS and all similar projects in India ? Is it BEL ?
Any new development in the field of Supercomputers ? There's a national plan to spend billions in this field and to provide them to universities too to increase research work.
Can you tell us more about the DRDO's plans for developing a secure Operating System ?
Hi PRASUN , what I want to ask that whether IA can increase the no of missile rounds on it's Spyder SR TEL from 4 to 8 . The no of TELs per battery can be varied according to the operational requirement. When will the Elta 2082 enter service?
And can the elite SF paracommandos or Maroon beret are on par with the Spetsnaz, SEAL, and Green beret? Do they undergo the same training in quality and quantity as the Green Berets, SAS? Are they HALO, HAHO trained? Can they perform Direct action, assassination, sabotage , unconventional warfare, counter recon, covert infiltration & exfiltration, clandestine ops deep behind enemy lines?
Also pls tell that the additional armor plates fitted on the sides of Arjun are composite armour or conventional steel plates. Generally ERA can withstand only one hit and after that it becomes useless. Will the Relikt ERA on T-90AM has multihit capability? Also what is the difference between Kontakt 5 and Relikt? Pls reply to this. Also are there any plans of fitting composite appliqué armour on the T-72 & T-90 ? The sides of the T-72 will not provide any protection after hit once. Pls reply.
Hi , u said that the gun laying of the L-70 and ZU-23-2 is done electro hydraulically . Is the target detection to tracking and engagement automatic process? What I meant to say is that suppose the radar attached to an AAA battery detects a hostile ac. Then it tracks it. When the ac comes within the firing range of the guns then the fire control system on the radar will automatically pass input to the electro-hydraulic system on the gun which will then do the gun laying and open fire on the target or an operator has to perform this? Pls explain the process. What are the present no of AD AAA regiments in the IA? Has the nos gone down since 1999 or has there been replacements? Also cannot a L-70 or ZU-23-2 battery shoot down an ALCM or LACM?
Hi , how many T-72 are currently operational with the IA? The T-72 s also saw action during the 1971 war? Does those T-72 are still in service with the IA? Can u pls mention the no of APAM rounds purchased?
http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2012/01/us-air-force-strongly-backs-f-35.html
This is the newest piece on the F-35 by Ajai Shukla. While I have no problem with journalists lobbying for products, this sort of naked propaganda is close to shameless for even Indian standards.
Is this linked to the MMRCA or do you think it is independent of that? On the same topic, when can we get an idea of where that contract is headed-is it on track or are there issues over price being encountered?
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article2829121.ece
What do you make of this article as it states a lot of points..
How do you think Chinese Jin class compares with Arihant class?
Which of the statements from hindu article are true?
"INS Arihant is 1st/2nd Gen sub, while Americans are in 9th generation."
"In terms of the platform, the Akula II represents the state of art in SSN design, the programme having been launched in the mid 1990s. The nearest in terms of design vintage is the British ‘Astute' class also of the mid 1990s,but in terms of capabilities it is smaller and less accomplished; while the American Los Angeles class predates the Chakra by a decade."
"The S-2 and the coming S-3 and S-4 vessels will lack adequate capabilities in three key areas of stealth, reactor design and missile range to become a deterrent ballistic missile armed nuclear-powered submarine (SSBN) against China, which with its Jin class subs is at least four decades ahead"
"India's S-2 vessel armed with 700km K-15 missile will have difficulty in even deterring Pakistan"
http://idrw.org/?p=6560
Good newa...right?
Last year Rustam 1 completed its 5th flight, when can we expect it to get ready ? Has our armed forces shown any interest in it ? Who is gonna produce it ? I heard some private companies were in the fray...
What is the RCS of LCA ? Have we done some changes in LCA mk2 to reduce it further ?
After 135 Mi17V5 can we expect more orders for Mi17V5 and any future orders for Dhruv ?
Which turret DRDO is gonna chose now ? Has anybody shown interest in PzH 2000 ? Is there any chance that we don't act like idiots and use the same Denel turret ?
Where are we on MIRV front ? I mean i read earlier that Agni 5 will have MIRV and may be even Agni 4 (agni 2 prime).
Which is the longest range SLBM planned ? Are we gonna be able to use it on Arihant ?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahooeditorspicks/galleries/72157626830921957/
Hope Bhuvan can Deliver quality these ... when can IRNSS be operational at the earliest?
http://www.defencetalk.com/russia-developing-three-unmanned-helicopters-40116/
Do any of them have JV with India?
US will operate MQ-4C BAMS as an adjunct to the P-8A Poseidon...
So,what will IN be using in that context??
TO ABS: The first-half of the analysis given by Pravin Sawhney is ENITRELY TRUE. But I guess several readers have not yet been able to grasp the context, which is why confusion prevails. In mid-2004 the then CNS of the IN had formally written to the Cabinet Committee on National Security (CCNS) about the need to scrap S-3 & S-4 until all that needed to be proven and validated had been done by the S-1 n(half-vessel in Kalpakkam) and the S-2 (Arihant), meaning the S-2 (Arihant) would be used only as a technology demonstration nuclear-powered submarine, something which I had first highlighted way back in July 2004. The CCNS nevertheless decided to order the S-3 & S-4, citing prior contractual agreements struck with Russia way back in 1996. Another reason why the IN was in favour of cancelling the S-3 & S-4 was because the French had in early 2004 formally presented to India a proposal for cooperating in the development of SSNs like the Barracuda, which come powered by lifelong n-reactors, unlike the n-reactor of the Arihant, which has only a 10-year lifespan. China’s capabilities for designing and developing n-powered submarines and related weaponry (like SLBMs) are a decade ahead of India, as of now and when it comes to possession of various shore-based and offshore infrastructure required for operating a fleet of SSNs and SSBNs, the capability-gap increases to almost two decades. Will dwell more upon that with photos and illustrations in the near future.
To Anon@9.24PM: Is India working in the field of Supercavitation like Supercavitating torpedoes? YES. After Barak i don't recall India signing any new joint ventures with Israel. Do you know about any new ventures? The project for co-developing the n-capable ALCM was initiated AFTER the Barak-2/8 deals. Any new progress in stealth technology for AMCA? NO IDEA. Any new generation avionics ? RFPs for the Tejas Mk2’s various mission avionics will be in by this March. Are our IT companies involved in any defence project? If yes then which ones? Several. The motorized EW system by TATA Power SED, the Army’s ASTROIDS, AFNet, NAVNET, Army’s TCS, BSS & BMS, to name a few. Some of the hardware isa coming from BEL. Can you tell us more about the DRDO's plans for developing a secure Operating System? 80% of the R & D work on this has been subcontracted to private-sector IT companies and professional ethical India-based hackers.
To Anon@9.36PM: Can the IA can increase the no of missile rounds on it's Spyder SR TEL from 4 to 8? NO. That’s ruled out. Additional TELs will have to be deployed for increasing the Battery’s firepower in quantitative terms. When will the Elta 2082 enter service? It has already begun entering service. Additional armor plates fitted on the sides of Arjun are made of composite laminate armour. The Relikt ERA on T-90AM has NO multi-hit capability. Also are there any plans of fitting composite appliqué armour on the T-72 & T-90? YES.
Anon@9.40PM: L-70’s and ZU-23-2’s target detection to tracking and engagement are all automatic process, thanks to the Reporter tactical control radar and Flycatcher fire-control systems. Has the nos gone down since 1999 or has there been replacements? No, the number has gone up, since additional ZU-23-2s were imported in 2002. ZU-23-2 battery & even a solitary ZSU-23-4 Schilka & Tunguska-M1 can indeed shoot down an ALCM or LACM.
To Anon@11.18PM: Of course the F-35’s marketing efforts in India are now oriented towards stopping the M-MRCA procurement process. I wonder why Lockheed Martin never bothered to offer the F-35 in the first place, instead of the F-16IN.
To Anon@12.50AM: The Jin-class SLBM is years ahead of the Arihant. Have already posted the explanation above in an earlier comment.
To KSK: INS Arihant is a first-generation n-powered submarine as per Indian standards. As I’ve explained above, it is purely a technology demonstrator. The first operational SSBN of India will be the S-5, which will have a decent complement of up to 12 SLBMs. The Akula-3 DOES NOT represent the state-of-art in SSN design, since, for instance, it still uses a cylindrical sonar transducer array, compared to the spherical design on the Astute SSGN. Furthermore, the Astute can fire T-LAMs, which can’t be compared to the 3M54E & 3M14E versions of the Klub-S, all of which cannot be fired in wartime, since the INS Chakra is only for non-combatant usage. The S-2/3/4 vessels will not be able to proceed on deterrent patrols against either Pakistan or China. In the end, they will most likely end up as hunter-killer SSGNs armed with VL-BrahMos for anti-ship strikes.
To Anon@4.24AM: The DRDO has promised to deliver the all-singing-and-dancing Rustom-1 MALE-UAV by this year. It will become operational only a year later at the latest. BEL & HAL will be fabricating the Rustom-1. Private-sector companies are barred from this project.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20120124/170929008.html
What do we know abt this new A2A missile?
Is it LR,MR,SR?
To Anon@10.18PM: There's no JV between India & Russia for developing UAVs.
To Shree: The IN only has the Heron-1s & Seatcher Mk2s and if the DRDO can deliver, will acquire the Rustom-2 MALE-UAV. The MQ-4C is a HALE-UAV, something on which the DRDO has not yet initiated work. But the Rustom-2's fuselage can be stretched and widened to make in into a HALE-UAV powered by a single Kaveri K-9 turbofan.
To Anon@10.58PM: This is the K-37M/RVV-BD, first shown at the MAKS 2011 expo. Such BVRAAMs are used primarily by MiG-21s against slow lumbering aircraft like the B-52 & U-2/TR-1, but can easily be be fooled by towed-decoys.
http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=254877
Seems the problem is spreading everywhere..
In context of IA Chief I for one think MOD should apologize to him , accept his DOB as 1951 and let him serve his tenure..
What the hell was AK Antony thinking when he said Chief of IA lied...
what sought of example is he setting by disrespecting a person of his caliber and integrity who succeeded NC.Vij and Deepak Kapoor known for their involvement in Adarsh scam(The worst of the kind) and ...
Antony should remember that he was the one who took stern actions against corruption in the army and the the accused in the land scams ....
By the way this has been handled it seems like GOI saying 'we wont act against corruption and would not tolerate if anyone does'...pathetic
What do you think the courts ruling will be?
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24030047-mps-outraged-as-consultants-get-pound-11m-from-deal-to-axe-harriers.do
Was Indian Navy interested in there aircraft?
Would they have been a good acquisition by India?
To Shree: Irregardless of what the court ruling is, the present COAS had plenty of time to correct his DOB since he passed out from the NDA. It may well be that the incorrect date of birth was deliberately inserted so that he could gain admission into the NDA a year earlier and that may explain why no one, including the COAS, seemed in no hurry to correct the DOB data durinjg his first decade in service as a commissioned officer. And if he's so worried about his personal honour & integrity (as he should be, then he should not have admitted even once in writing that he was born in 1950. The fact that he has done so, with or without any caveats, shows that he has indeed compromised on hus principles. In the end, this is what happens when promotions & succession lines are decided according to dates of birth, instead of meritocracy.
To Anon@11.30PM: No, the IN was never interested in these aircraft, since the IN has already begun upgrading its Fleet Air Arm centered around the MiG-29K.
Is the Akula armed with Shkval rocket-assisted torpedoes??
You said in case of war it cannot be utilized then what is its need?
What can our companies involved in developing Arihant learn from it?
You said chini are a decade ahead in SSN design if we choose the cooperation of French how fast can we close the gap?
If S1,S2,S3,S4 will not be satisfactory why cant we convert them into pure SSN and concentrate on S5 for SSBN since requirement of SSN are more urgent..
Even before the nuclear deal was signed (in 2004) it would have been impossible for france to enter SSN business with India. Even now with Brazil (NPT signatory) the french have agreed to help and not for a direct business. I donot think any nation will be willing to give India a true SSN and closest some one can come will be Russia. The Hindu article was about the worthiness of akula and not regarding Arihant. If Nuke subs and ICBMs are for sale, then we better close down all our research front. Unfortunately Mr. Pravin was at best half cooked. Being an admirer of your detailed analysis it is sad to see you gave a 100% guarantee. May be what he wanted to say was right but argument wise it is less than mediocre.
To Anon@12.05AM: Is the Akula armed with Shkval rocket-assisted torpedoes? NO. You said in case of war it cannot be utilised then what is its need? HANDS-ON TRAINING FOR OPERATING & MAINTAINING N-POWERED SUBMARINES. What can our companies involved in developing Arihant learn from it? L & T, Walchandnagar Industries, BHEL, TATA Power SED, BEL, Jindal Steel, Godrej & Boyce, ECIL, plus another 400 private-sector companies are all now well-versed in producing all reqd components for a nuclear-powered submarine. Systems integration and hull integration, however, remain Russia's secrets due to the firewalls created by various Russian OEMs. Consequently, the Indian Navy's Naval Design Bureau was never in the loop and no one in India till this day is proficient enough to design n-powered submarines. This was explained in an analysis on India's shipbuilding capabilities published last year by FORCE & written by former CNS Admiral Arun Prakash. If India decides to cooperate with France, India will then be ahead of China in terms of undersea warfare capabilities, PROVIDED the development of other related components (both on-shore & offshore) proceeds concurrently. Eventually, the S-2/3/4 vessels will have no other role but to function as SSNs. The ONLY problem is that their PWRs will have to be changed once every 10 years, and this is quite an expensive proposition.
To Anon@12.56AM: “Even before the nuclear deal was signed (in 2004) it would have been impossible for France to enter SSN business with India.” DEAD WRONG. Immediately after the May 1998 nuclear tests, France had officially stated that it stood by India and was open to ALL forms of military-technical cooperation, even in the nuclear field, provided a G-to-G umbrella agreement covering long-term military cooperation agreement (lasting 15 years) was inked, similar to what India has been inking with Russia since the 1990s. This has been extremely well-documented in great detail in a chronological manner in a feature-length analysis of India-France bilateral relations by former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal, which was published by FORCE last year. France’s offer was again renewed in early 2004 and French companies were then authorised to supply components for the ATV, such as periscopes and non-penetrating masts. This was well-covered by several Indian news agencies and they published the various offers put forth by THALES.
“If Nuke subs and ICBMs are for sale, then we better close down all our research front.” That is PRECISELY what the ATV & Sagarika Project Offices are all about. Why else do you think the DRDO was able to test-fire MRBMs as far back as two decades ago, while work on the K-15/B-05/Shaurya kicked off only after 1998? The fact remains that Russia had its strategic compulsions for sharing its nuclear weapons-related know-hows with India during a certain period of time, and the French too have followed suit, as has the USofA. Therefore, it is now for India to decide which of the three cakes on offer it wants to have & eat. And as I had stated earlier, Pravin Sawhney’s analysis was rather brief and it would have made far more sense if the overall contextual background leading to his conclusions had been published as well. But on whatever was published, I stand by my earlier assertion that the contents are factually 100% accurate.
Prasun Why can't the S3 & S4 be scrapped. Einstein once said doing the same thing again and again but yet expect different results each time is foolishness.
DRDO along with Other Indian industries can be tasked to build a better reactor with higher output with any foreign assistance if available.
What is the point in spending more than billion dollars on the Nuclear sub with less than optimum performance. Two technology demonstrators are more than sufficient.
Based on your previous comments. I wasn't aware that USA has offered India to help on its Nuclear Subs. Can you throw more light on this.
I recall that once you mentioned that challenge is not in building a higher output reactor but in building a efficient heat exchanger. As this is a non-nuclear part can France or USA help be sought in this issue.
Hey PRASUN can u pls tell the no of APAM rounds purchased from IMI? Also u told that the T-72 & T-90 are being fitted with appliqué composite armour. Will the sides , upper and lower glacis will have a layer of composite armour over the base armour. Also will a layer of appliqué armour be applied to the turret front , rear and sides?
If India wants can India purchase 5 Barracuda class SSN from France at the moment? When the Akula 3 SSGN cannot be used in combat then why has India leased it? Also can the Flycatcher & Reporter radars be optimized for tracking and engaging air launched PGMs by means of L-70 & ZU-23-2?
Prasun for the IN proposed 4 LPH is the Canberra or Juan Carlos I by Navantia on offer. Out of all the offers Dokdo,MHD-2000,Mosaic,Mistral etc I believe Canberra class to be truly multi-function platform over the others.
With the presence of Ski Jump air cover could also be provided by few onboard fighters MIG-29 or Rafale to the landing forces both Heli and amphibious. If required the same ship can function as a back-up aircraft carrier by clearing out choppers or vehicles below deck.
It does exceed the Navy's mentioned 21000 ton limit and will come at higher price tag but the capabilities and performance it brings to the table far outweigh the cost.
Whats your opinion.
What can I say!The recently concluded test series against Australia can be analogy of the Indian military/defence. Hire a foreign coach and have a list of legendary names can be a theoretical deterrent but unless there is a plan and execution of the plan as well as consistency claims will soon turn into tall claims!Calling the T-72 backbone of the nation's defence in R=D parade, flying past with vintage planes barring the su 30 mki and all the obsolete weaponry patched up to survive another decade with absolutely no indigenous infrastructure or skilled labour, bureaucratic delays and red tapes and dpsu protectionism - the list is endless - I am sure deserve the new superpower tag!Were it not for some brave and clever military leaders and sheer dogged determination of the armed forces, the whole country of India would now be divided into Pakistan and China.
Punjab Police Received Corner Shot Gun from Israel
what is Bo5 underwater missile, its production has started, as per DRDO.
Anon at 3:55 if that link was bugged with any virus you won't remain anonymous for long!It took me to some dubious sms page so am cranky and checking for any malware....will get back as soon as I find out
you have very good military blog.
Pl stop Anon @3:55 PM and @1:07 PM from spamming your blog.
sir why are shivalik class frigates said to be stealth frigates !!??
they even dont have a stealth mount for the onboard gun !!??
at best they should be called reduced signature vessels !!
will the follow on p17A shivalik frigates and p15b kolkata class come any close to the stealth offered by the visby class corvettes ??
sir you said that we are going for 20 corvettes of foreign origin for which competition is between visby class and some other type.....so does that mean we wont more than 4 kamorta class corvettes ??
or both of them will be used in good no.s ??
any updates on lca tejas mk2 astra development ??
sir can the cummins 1500hp engine on arjun mk2 be uprated in future if the situation calls ?? because the same model which i looked on at their site was reportedly producing more than 1700hp !!??
sir will navy get Bramhosh block III 550km on kolkata class DDG
is there any chance of IAF getting Airlaunch Bramhosh block III 550 km
is India making any bunker-buster
@ buddha
I would like to answer this question, Bramos blk 3 won't be inducted in IN because it is mission specific meant for mountainous terrain. In short it will most likely to be used only by IA.
@ Anonymous 8:51 PM
will the follow on p17A shivalik frigates and p15b kolkata class come any close to the stealth offered by the visby class corvettes ??
P17a, P17a and P28A will use the same tech as used in visby class corvettes i.e. composite technology and modular construction technique, infact GRSE which make 3 P17a FFG and 8 P28A corvettes is getting help from Kockums AB which made Visby.
As far as radar cross-section of Visby is concerned, it will still remain the lowest simply because its 550 ton corvette which is even smaller than the OPVs made in India. We can't simply compare the RCS of p17a ffg and visby although it will be close FREMM which is pretty good.
Hey Prasun,
This model of warship was in Defexpo 2010. Can you tell me which warship is it ? Is it possible that this P28A corvette ?
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/3883/87781365.jpg
To Anon^^^: That is a scale model of a FFG displayed by Larsen & Toubro at DEFEXPO 2010. But the FFG's design hails from Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.
Prasun @ 6.30pm,
What design is that-I remember that TKMS had released a concept for 3,000-4,000 tonne FFG using the Meko concept. Those RBU launcher stick out like an eyesore though-why have'nt the Russians tweaked it to a VLS to make it stealthy?
There was an article in the tribune which claims that the MMRCA result will come out in about 10 days. Are these outlets in the know or are these figures being just thrown around since we have heard these claims for almost two months-is there any problem for the delay?
http://idrw.org/?p=6579
Do IAF deserve some criticism over their changing demands...it also seems that they prefer foreign equipment over desi...is this point valid?
And could you also throw in a few lines about the Antrix-Devas scam(Chief Vs Former Chief)...
and the Naval info leak(Is it serious)?
So Prasun is LnT offering some design in collaboration with Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems for some Project ?
some news:
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/dassault-rafale-wins-usd-10-4-billion-indian-air-force-jet-fighter-deal-sources-171975?pfrom=home-lateststories
solution to problem
http://poultry-consultant.blogspot.com/2012/02/organic-inorganic-acids.html
Terrible truth unleashed
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