Indian Defense
ISRO’s Wind Tunnel Construction Hits A Roadblock – A Literal One
The vehicle carrying the cargo has been parked on the roadside at Kazhakootam
Thiruvananthapuram: The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) plans to set up a Trisonic Wind Tunnel at its Thumba facility has hit an unusual roadblock – a literal roadblock.
It is the height of a foot-over-bridge near Kazhakootam in the capital that has obstructed the movement of a cargo meant for the construction of the wind tunnel.
A 96-wheel vehicle carrying the cargo has been stranded on the roadside for the past few days. Authorities are now planning to level a sewer to get the vehicle to circumvent the overbridge and reach its destination.
The cargo comprising at least two components is 6.05m at the height part. The heaviest cargo weighs 128 tons while the other one weighs 56 tonnes and heights are 5.7m and 6.05m respectively.
The cargo that left Mumbai was received on August 18 at the Kollam Port. The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and the Kerala Police had worked hard to transport the massive vehicle.
Tree branches and even electricity posts were removed en route to make the journey a smooth one. As a result, the vehicle’s movement across as many as 14 KSEB sections had gone without many hassles.
The authorities had anticipated a different foot-over-bridge to pose an obstruction, but it managed to pass through. It was a second overbridge that blocked the path of the vehicle that is manned by 12 personnel.
ISRO has been working to set up a Trisonic Wind Tunnel at the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS).
According to ISRO, the Trisonic Wind Tunnel is a device for generating controlled, uniform, steady Mach number flow conditions in the test section for testing scaled models of launch vehicles, spacecraft, etc.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.
“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.
India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.
Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.
The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.
Indian Defense
After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%
India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade
In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.
The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.
This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.
In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.
Indian Defense
Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace
According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.
Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System
BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.
Akash Weapon System
The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.
The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.
-
Camera3 years ago
Charles ‘Chuck’ Geschke, co-founder of Adobe and inventor of the PDF, dies at 81
-
TOP SCEINCE7 days ago
Inherited predisposition for higher muscle strength may protect against common morbidities
-
TOP SCEINCE7 days ago
Stellar winds of three sun-like stars detected for the first time
-
world news6 days ago
Jewish diaspora expresses concern as Iranian drones launch toward Israel
-
TOP SCEINCE7 days ago
Brightest gamma-ray burst of all time came from the collapse of a massive star
-
world news5 months ago
Gulf, France aid Gaza, Russia evacuates citizens
-
Camera2 years ago
Sony a7 IV sample gallery
-
TOP SCEINCE3 days ago
Plastic pollution can kill variety of ocean embryos