Autonomous vehicles on top for India's DRDO

The star attractions at Defexpo 2012 by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation may be its brand new missile interceptor simulator and a 3D virtual reality theatre, but the organisation has placed special focus on autonomous vehicles this year, all of them outdoor exhibits. For the first time, DRDO has put on display MUNTRA, an unmanned tracked ground vehicle, a platform that the Army is greatly interested in for operations in a nuclear-biological-chemical environment, surveillance and mine clearance. The DRDO is in discussions with the Army to finalise all contours of the $100-million programme soon. Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Daksh is back at Defexpo 2012 after a high-profile showing in 2010. On January 31 this year, the first batch of five Daksh ROVs entered operational service with the Army.

Also on display are UAVs Nishant, Rustom and Netra, lightweight sensor integrated composite bridge, the long range solid state electronically scanned active phased array radar LSTAR, Disha EW system, Scorpio Jammer, heavy weight torpedo Varunastra, Pinaka multi-barrel rocket system, Prahar tactical range ballistic missile system, and Arjun main battle tank. The indoor exhibits and models will cover nearly the entire gamut of R&D in DRDO. Prominent models include Nag, Akash, BrahMos, Aerostat System, AEW&C System, BMP survival kit (BUSK), Sarvatra and other bridges. Different types of parachutes, the family of small arms, torpedoes and decoys, military communication equipment, electronic warfare systems, night vision devices, microwave devices, NBC protective systems, soldier support systems will also be seen.

An indigenous explosive detection kit (EDK), and swine flu diagnostic kit are among over 70 products and technologies developed for defence applications with potential civilian applications that have been identified for commercialization under the DRDO-FICCI ATAC (Accelerated Technology Assessment Commercialization) programme. These two products will be launched March 31, 2012, Day 3 of Defexpo. The EDK, developed by Pune-based High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, can quickly detect and identify even traces of explosives. The handy kit is ideally suited to be carried and used everywhere. The swine flu diagnostic kit, developed by Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, can detect H1N1 virus within an hour. The kit does not need sophisticated instruments and can even be used in villages where electricity is not available.

Defexpo will also provide a platform for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to identify areas for collaboration and to initiate dialogue with DRDO in areas of mutual interest for joint development.