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 The
Defence Research & Development Organisation
(DRDO) is investing in research that could make
the Indian Navy stealthier by developing technology
which could be a real game-changer for both over
and under sea warfare. Naval labs under DRDO have
been supporting Indian Navy in all activities
of warship building and stealth technologies.
Lot of stealth hardware such as acoustic tiles,
shock and vibration mounts, damping treatment,
infrared suppression devices, radar absorbing
paints and two-stage mounting systems etc. have
been developed and handed over to the Navy.
“Naval Science & Technological Laboratory
(NSTL) can measure how stealthy a ship is and
this is a unique facility existing at Goa. Today
DRDO can provide the necessary technology to build
a stealthy ship. We are capable of reducing all
stealth signatures such as Radar, IR, Acoustic,
Magnetic, Electric and Hydrodynamic wake. We have
capability to build even sandwich composite superstructure
and water curtains which is a challenge for many
navies. We are working on silent propulsion,”
proudly exclaimed Dr V Bhujanga Rao, DG (NS&M),
DRDO, Delhi, in an exclusive interview with India
Strategic.
Naval labs have developed a heavy weight torpedo
Varunastra which is undergoing user evaluation
trials. Maareech, which is an anti-torpedo decoy
system has been developed and is also undergoing
user evaluation trials. So far all the ship trials
have been completed successfully. Naval labs have
also developed light weight mines. Production
of TAL (Light Weight Torpedo) is progressing at
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
“There are many systems developed by naval
labs which can be given as Transfer of Technology
(TOT) as per laid down government policies. Light
Weight Torpedo (TAL) is undergoing production
at BDL. Similarly, Varunastra is expected to complete
user evaluation trials in the current season.
Then this technology can be transferred to BDL.
Maareech, anti-decoy torpedo technology has already
been made available to BDL”, Dr Rao informed.
Work is being done at DRDO labs in the area of
materials such as ceramics, high strength polymer
blends, composites and adhesives. Defence Materials
& Stores Research & Development Establishment
(DMSRDE) has developed polycarbosilane which is
a precursor material for all SiC ceramics. Polycarbosilane
is the only material used for SiC fibre and future
candidate for making composites for ultrahigh
temperature applications as continuous fibre ceramic
matrix composites. Further Piezo ceramics, light
weight composites, rubber materials, peelable
coating, polyurethane sealants, high performance
epoxy putty, etc. are developed at Naval Materials
Research Laboratory (NMRL).
DRDO has been in news for having developed welding
technology for high strength structural steels
and the welding consumables have been used in
the production of hull structure plating of surface
ships. DRDO has developed indigenous steels for
India’s shipbuilding industry for the construction
of surface ships. More than 56,000 tonnes of steel
has been supplied for shipbuilding through SAIL,
Midhani and other agencies. These steels are under
type certification for use on underwater vessels
as well. DRDO is in the process of further upgrading
these steels for futuristic applications. “Naval
labs have developed various polymers based technologies
such as acoustic rubber tiles, poly-list dock
blocks, high strength epoxy putty, polyurethane
sealant, high performance exterior paint, heavy
duty non-skid paint and ToT has been given to
industry. DRDO has initiated work in the area
of Semi-Solid Metal (SSM) processing at NMRL.
NMRL has also developed bio emulsifier, nutrient
mix and oil degrading bacteria for bioremediation
of marine oil pollution,” he said.
“NSTL has established Sea-keeping and Manoeuvring
Basin, Cavitation tunnel and High Speed Towing
Tank (HSTT) which are unique facilities in India.
Scale models of warships and submarines are tested
in the laboratory using these hydrodynamic test
facilities. They have developed an autonomous
underwater vehicle and demonstrated its capabilities.
This vehicle can undertake surveillance, intelligence
and recognisance tasks. These facilities are being
used by various DRDO labs, government and private
agencies and academia for hydrodynamic research.
Hydrodynamic research centres are also established
at IIT Khargpur and IIT Madras for training and
academic research. We are working on unconventional
hull forms like trimaran, pentamaran and have
developed silent propellers and pump jet propulsion”,
added Dr Rao.
DRDO plays a major role in fleet support activities
like evaluation and testing. Fleet support is
an on going activity provided by naval labs to
the Navy, which includes laboratory support, maintenance,
trouble shooting and training of their personnel
on regular basis.
Dr Rao explained that Naval Physical and Oceanographic
Laboratory (NPOL) is not only developing sonars
but is also producing HUMSA NG Sonars which are
deployed on-board naval ships and submarines (Ushus).
Advanced Light Towed Array Sonar (ALTAS), Low
Frequency Dunking Sonar (LFDS), Advanced Active
Cum Passive Hull mounted Sonars, Shallow water
sonar (Abhay class), Diver detection and diver
deterrence sonars are also under development.
NPOL sonars are also offered to friendly navies
such as Myanmar. They are world class sonars and
BEL, Keltron are the production partners for these
sonars.
DRDO had set up a Naval Research Board (NRB)
in September 1996 to strengthen and deepen the
knowledge base related to the naval environment.
The NRB has a flexible approach to basic research,
funding and project execution. The Board has instituted
a Grants-in-Aid Scheme to nurture research talent
and to create research facilities in IITs, Universities,
higher technological institutions, colleges and
other research centres including industries in
the country for promoting basic research, design
and development. The Board supports basic research
that will generate new knowledge potentially useful
to the Navy and to train young minds to generate
and apply that knowledge for naval purposes.
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