Indian Navy's most powerful ships rely on DRDO technology

The Blue Waters will be the futuristic battlefield and control over it will be the cause of conflict. Technology advancement will always challenge the scientists engaged in R&D activities to keep pace with the burgeoning requirements of the Navy.



DRDO is continuously striving to meet the growing demands of the Navy keeping in pace with the self-reliance objective of the nation. Dr V Bhujanga Rao (VBR), Director General, Naval Systems and Materials, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, reiterated this fact in and exclusive technology oriented interview with India Strategic (IS).

IS: When will the ship-borne sonar new generation HUMSA get inducted into the Indian Navy and how will it be better than the one already with the Navy?

VBR: Sea acceptance trials of ship-borne HUMSA NG (Hull Mounted Sonar Array Next Gen) have been successfully completed in Indian naval ships). HUMSA NG is a technology upgrade of HUMSA Sonar earlier fitted on Indian Naval Ships, with lower frequency transducers and state-of-the-art electronics power PC processors and SHARC signal processing boards.

IS: DRDO has developed and installed a two-stage mounting system for ship-board HP air compressor. Could you please elaborate on its utility and which ships of the navy have these been installed in?

VBR: Yes. NSTL has developed two stage mounting system for ship-board HP air compressor. A two stage mounting system is employed where there is demand for high structure borne noise attenuation. The main objective of two stage mounting system is to reduce vibration levels from machinery to foundation, and thereby to reduce radiated noise levels from ship hull.

IS: What is the status of the submarine-sonar, project USHUS How will it be different and better than the existing sonar in the various submarines?

VBR: NPOL (Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory), Kochi has designed and developed integrated submarine sonar system, USHUS. This sonar has been fitted on number of submarines.

IS: Could you expand on the USP of the Sonar MIHIR and has it got cleared for installation onboard the Advanced Light Helicopter?

VBR: MIHIR, the helicopter sonar system, comprises of dunking sonar and four-channel sonobuoy processor. This system consists of sonar dome housing, acoustic sensor, winch and handling system, electro-mechanical cable, signal conditioner and processor, sonar display and VHF receiver and antenna. This system has not been installed on Advanced Light Helicopter. This was only a technology demonstration exercise. DRDO has designed and developed an Infrared Suppression System (IRSS) for diesel engines. How will it be helpful in combat? Will they get fitted in all brands of diesel engines or are they specific in use? Naval platforms Infrared (IR) signature levels depend on uptake surface temperature and exhaust plume temperature. To minimise the IR signature levels, NSTL (Naval Scientific Technological Laboratory), Visakhapatnam has designed and developed multi-ring eductor type Infrared Suppression System (IRSS) for both diesel and gas turbines. The system has been inducted on new construction frigates and corvettes. IR signature are susceptible to IR seeker missiles, therefore by reducing the IR signature, detection by IR Seeker can be avoided.

IS: How many helicopter fire control systems (HFCS) for the naval ALH have been handed over to HAL?

VBR: NSTL has designed and developed ‘Helicopter Fire Control System (HFCS) for the naval ALH. Three systems have been delivered to HAL. It is prudent to mention here that DRDO is only a design agency and production is to be done by the production agency. NSTL has transferred ToT to M/s BE, Bangalore. Further orders for HFCS can be placed by HAL on BE.

IS: Will the guidance wire spools for wire-guided torpedoes increase the stealth capability of ships and submarines?

VBR: Guidance wire spools for wire guided torpedo are meant for communication between mother ship/submarine and the torpedo. Based on the information of the target location, operator on the mother ship manoeuvres the torpedo to the target. Guidance wire spools for wire guided torpedoes do not increase the stealth capability of ships and submarines.

IS: What will be the use of the DRDO designed new stanchions made with radar transparent materials and which ships will they be installed on?

DRDO designed new stanchions made with radar transparent materials will reduce the radar cross section (RCS) signature of the ship.

IS: Has the new propeller shaft designed by DRDO been taken up by the navy? What was the need to reinvent the wheel as the Navy has no complaints with the existing propeller shafts?

VBR: NSTL is developing composite propeller shaft for ships. Conventional propeller shaft are made of ferrous material. This shaft is corrosive in nature and also gives extra low frequency emissions (ELFE). This ELFE signature is source of detection by ELFE sensors. This is not a case for reinventing the wheel, but bringing in new technology to advantage.

IS: Has the DRDO developed 250 KW secondary battery for heavyweight torpedo propulsion? Was this done on the request of the Navy and were the existing batteries not adequate for the task?

VBR: DRDO has developed 250 KWs Silver Oxide Zinc (AgOZn), both primary and secondary batteries for propulsion of heavy weight torpedo Varunastra, under development at NSTL. This is not done on the request of the Navy, but it is a project requirement. This battery development would enable the torpedo propulsion with more than 40 knots.

IS: Has the demand for the under-water mines developed by NSTL been consistent over the years?

VBR: NSTL has designed and developed a variety of underwater mines such as processor based ground mine, processor based exercise mine and processor based moored mine. These mines have been inducted by Indian Navy. NSTL is now developing multi-influence ground mine and advanced light weight mine. These mines are in various stages of trials. On successful trial evaluation by the navy, these would be inducted by the navy.

IS: What is the status of the marine version of Kaveri engine?

VBR: The Kaveri Marine Gas Turbine Engine, a derivative of aero engine was designed, developed and tested up to 12 MW max shaft power output towards the requirements of gas turbine propulsion for Indian Naval ships as an initial prototype concept demonstrator. Current studies are focused on the viability of developing fully indigenous aero derivative gas turbine engine and concurrently adopting for longer life requirements of 20,000 hours time between overhaul/40000 hours total endurance life requirements for naval application.

IS: What are the plans for enhanced research for futuristic technologies for the navy by DRDO?

VBR: The DRDO would be working in the areas of ‘Unconventional Hull Forms’ like Trimaran, Pentamaran etc; Propulsion using pump jet systems; State-of-the-art torpedoes and decoys; HTS motors and; 4G Submarine Sonar systems.



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