A monthly house bulletin of Defence Research & Development Organisation ■ Vol. 32 No.12 ■ December 2012

DRDO tests Air Defence Interceptor MissileDRDO successfully tested indigenously developed

advanced air defence (AAD) interceptor missile from the Wheeler’s island, off the coast Odisha. The interceptor missile successfully destroyed the incoming ballistic missile at an altitude of 15 km. The target missile, a modified version of Prithvi, mimicking the enemy’s ballistic missile, was launched from Launch Complex III, Chandipur. Long-range traction and multifunction radars, located far away, detected the missile from take-off and tracked it through its entire path. The trajectory of the incoming missile was continuously estimated by the guidance computer. Subsequently AAD missile was launched at an appropriate time to counter and kill the incoming ballistic missile.

The ring laser gyro-based navigation system in target, fibre optic gyro-based inertial navigation system (INS) in interceptor, onboard computers, guidance systems, actuation systems and the critical radio frequency (RF) seekers used for the terminal phase performed excellently. The AAD missile system ,initially guided by INS, continuously got update of the target's position by the radar through a data link. The RF seeker tracked the target missile and onboard computer of the AAD middile guided it towards the target missile.

The radio proximity fuse of the AAD missile exploded the warhead thereby destroying the target missile

completely. The test successfully demonstrated a special feature of intercepting multiple targets with multiple interceptors. An electronic target with a range of 1500 km was launched. Radars picked up and tracked the target missile and subsequently launched an electronic interceptor missile. The electronic interceptor missile destroyed the electronic target missile at an altitude of 120 km. All the four missiles were tracked by the radars and the guidance and launch computers in full operational mode for handling multiple targets with multiple interceptor. The four missiles were in the sky simultaneously and the interceptions too took place near s i m u l t a n e o u s l y. The test has proved the capability of DRDO to handle multiple targets with multiple interceptors s i m u l t a n e o u s l y. The complete radar systems, c o m m u n i c a t i o n networks, launch

2 December 2012

DRDO conducts successful trials of Akashdeep

computers, target update systems, and state-of-the-art avionics were successfully proven in this mission.

Dr VK Saraswat, Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri (SA to RM), Secretary Defence R&D and DG DRDO, congratulated all the DRDO scientists for this successful demonstration of the air defence capabilities. Distinguished Scientists and Chief Controllers of

DRDO, Shri Avinash Chander, Shri SS Sundaram, Shri Sundaresh, and Shri MVKV Prasad, Director ITR and other top scientists of DRDO were present during the test. The whole operations were carried out under the guidance of Shri Adalat Ali, Programme Director AD. Hon'able Defence Minister Shri AK Antony lauded the DRDO scientists for this spectacular achievement.

DRDO Signs MoU with York University

Dr VK Saraswat, SA to RM, and Dr Robert Hache’, Vice President Research and Innovation, York University, Canada, signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DRDO and York University to pursue collaborative defence research. The MoU was signed in the presence of Prime Ministers of India and Canada at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

The signing of MoU marks an important milestone between the two countries. York University is one of the

research centres of Defence R&D Canada (DRDC) of the Canadian Department of National Defence. University specialises in developing technologies for chembio defence, counter terrorism, soldier as a system, and likewise other defence applications.

MoU will facilitate DRDO and the York University to pursue research in the areas of advanced materials, nanotechnology, life sciences, bio-informatics, chemical and biological defence, sensors, and others. Both sides have planned a number of joint projects in the time to come.

DRDO successfully conducted trials of Akashdeep (a medium size aerostat system indigenously designed and developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra, a DRDO laboratory) at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, during 16 October 2012 to 7 November 2012.

Aerostat is a system of systems consisting of indigenously developed high performance PU coated nylon fabrics, aerostat balloon, electro-optical tether, electro-hydraulic control system, smart-active pressure control system, Helium gas management system, etc. This indigenous development is a result of the dedicated work carried out by a team of scientists involved in

designing and evaluation of the system, and fabrication at Indian industries.

The prime objective of the trials at IIT, Kanpur, was to demonstrate endurance of the system constantly for 5 days at an altitude of 1 km without Helium top-up. The other objectives were improvising of integration methodologies to reduce integration time, testing of the new balloon, inflation using improved and modified aerostat inflation safety net assembly, and validation of dynamic stability data through instrumentation. Trials also facilitated students and faculty of IIT, Kanpur, to have good exposure of lighter-than-air systems and its associated technologies. There was a great response

3December 2012

during the trials both from students and faculty to work on these technologies. IIT, Kanpur, also conducted few experiments with their own instrumentation package as payload to study and validated dynamic stability model of the aerostat generated jointly by IIT and ADRDE. The experimental data was acquired at different altitudes.

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India and SA to RM, also visited the trial site and appreciated the

development. He also enquired about the indigenous control system, payload and flexible PU coated nylon materials used in the system.

The successful endurance trials have demonstrated the significance of the system as a reliable aerial platform. A 25 per cent reduction in the integration time was also achieved during the trials.

DRDO-Industry Interaction on Design and Development of Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System

DRDO is developing a 155 mm/52 Cal advanced towed artillery gun system (ATAGS) at Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune. Improved firepower to achieve the first salvo effectiveness at longer ranges, higher accuracy and enhanced survivability are the primary requirements for this gun system. Efforts are being made to develop new technologies for weapon platforms, automation and control systems, recoil management, materials, etc., to achieve improved weapon performance.

In order to encourage the industry participation and generate a wider base in design, development, manufacturing and integration, a DRDO-Industry Interaction was held during 29-31 October 2012 at ARDE. Objective of the interaction was to explore the feasibility of the suitable participation/association of the Indian industries during the development of ATAGS.

The industries capable of undertaking development and manufacturing at system level and sub-system level interacted with the DRDO team comprising representatives from ARDE, Instruments Research

and Development E s t a b l i s h m e n t (IRDE), Dehradun; Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahmednagar; Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), Bengaluru; and DRDO HQ under chairmanship of Dr S Sundaresh, DS and

CC R&D (ACE & SI). Shri Anil M Datar, OS and Director, ARDE, presented an overview of the requirements for the development of ATAGS and how best DRDO can achieve them through industrial participation.

Six premier Indian companies, viz., Tata Power SED, Bengaluru; L&T Mumbai; Bharat Forge Ltd, Pune; Mahendra Defence Systems, Prithala, Haryana; BHEL, Haridwar; and BEL, Chennai participated for systems level interaction.

Eight companies, viz., Dantal Hydraulics, Manesar, Haryana; Starwine India Ltd, New Delhi; PSPL, Bengaluru; Avasarala Technologies, Chennai; Accurate Engineering, Pune; HBL Power Systems Ltd., Hyderabad; Moog Inc, Bengaluru; and System Controls, Bengaluru participated for sub-system level interaction.

Shri Datar briefing the participants.

4 December 2012

DRDO releases Microwave Power Module

“The future warfare will be fought remotely and will be contact less, without using conventional weapons but instead using directed energy weapons”, said Dr VK Saraswat, SA to RM, while addressing a galaxy of scientists and engineers at Microwave Tube Research and Development Centre (MTRDC), a DRDO Laboratory at Bengaluru, on the occasion of MTRDC Day celebration on 16 November 2012. He emphasised the need to develop high power microwave (HPM), high power laser (HPL), directed energy weapons (DEW), and terahertz devices.

On the occasion, Dr Saraswat released Microwave Power Module (MPM) developed by MTRDC. This compact RF power module is capable of giving continuous RF power in very wide frequency band and could be used as transmitter for naval defence and civilian radars, communication, and electronic warfare systems. The MPM was handed over by Dr Lalit Kumar, OS and Director, MTRDC and Shri Anil Kumar, CMD, Bharat Electronics Ltd, to Shri SP Dash, OS and Director, Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL), Hyderabad., who later released the technical brochure of MPM. In his address, Shri Anil Kumar said that there is excellent cooperation between DRDO and BEL which has resulted in production of high-end products like MPM.

Dr Lalit Kumar, while welcoming distinguished gathering, said that the development of travelling wave tubes, Klystron and MPM by MTRDC will lead to saving in foreign exchange and help in self-reliance in critical items of defence. He also highlighted the future plans

in terahertz devices. Later MTRDC in-house newsletter, Spandan, was released by

Dr KD Nayak, DS and CC R&D (MED, MIST and Cyber Systems).

On the occasion, Shri AK Agarwal, Sc F, and Shri UV Chandramouli, STA C,

received the laboratory Scientist of the Year 2012 and DRTC Best Performance Award 2012, respectively.

Karnataka Rajyotsava function was also celebrated in the afternoon. Eminent Prof. Sudhindra Haldodderi was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

Dr Lalit Kumar (right) handing over the Microwave Power Module

DRDO conducts flight trials of Indigenous AEW&C System

The indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system built on the EMB-1451 aircraft flew for the first time in India on 29 September 2012 on completion of internal wiring for mission system and population of mission system hardware installation by Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), Bengaluru. Its inspection was done by M/s Embraer and clearance was issued by Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC). The aircraft also participated in the Air Force day on 8 October 2012.

5December 2012

Dr Saraswat honoured with honorable degree of Doctor of Science

Dr VK Saraswat, SA to RM, was conferred honorable Doctor of Science (DSc) by the Jiwaji University, Gwalior, during its annual convocation on 9 November 2012. The degree was awarded by HE the Governor of Madhya Pradesh and Shri Ram Naresh Yadav, the Hon’ble Chancellor, Jiwaji University, for the outstanding contribution of Dr Saraswat in the field of defence technologies for strengthening national security. A Commendation Certificate was also presented to Dr Saraswat by Prof. M Kidwai, Vice Chancellor, Jiwaji University.

DRDO ORATION

Defence Science Forum (DSF) organised DRDO Oration by Dr Shrikumar Banerjee, DAE-Homi Bhabha Chair Professor, former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, and former Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy on 3 October 2012 at Dr Bhagavantham Auditorium, Metcalfe House, Delhi. Dr Shrikumar Banerjee joined Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, in 1967 after obtaining BTech in Metallurgical Engineering from IIT, Kharagpur. He also obtained his PhD from IIT, Kharagpur, while working in BARC. As Director, BARC, during 2004-2010, he provided leadership in the development of advanced reactor technology, fuel cycle technology and strategic programmes.

Prof. (Dr) DN Reddy, Chairman, Recruitment and Assessment Centre (RAC), DRDO, presided over the event. In his presidential address he stressed on need for non-conventional sources for country like India.

Dr Banerjee gave a scintillating talk on energy, environment and industrial growth. In his talk he discussed about the energy requirements of India and the role of atomic energy. He said, “Atomic energy has got a definite and decisive role to perform in the Indian power generation and supply sector. Being a developing country, a major share of India's overall electricity requirements has to be from non-conventional sources

as the conventional sources has got limitations to meet the galloping needs.” He lauded India's self-sufficiency in the nuclear science and technology. He also lauded the pioneering efforts initiated by Dr Homi Bhabha who visualised the Indian nuclear programme that has been since carried on by the dedicated scientists and engineers of DAE. Dr Banerjee further added, “Our conventional resources are far from being adequate to achieve any ambitious target in terms of power generation. With the depleting coal deposits and the limited potential of hydel power, the nation’s future requirements of power could be met by tapping nuclear and other non-conventional resources. There is a lot of potential in non-conventional sources and this must be harnessed. By their very nature,

6 December 2012

Bhut Jolokia/BorBih Jolokia established as new Noble Species

while other non-conventional sources are suitable for small decentralised applications, nuclear power stations are suitable for large central generating stations”.

A memento was presented to Dr Banerjee by Prof. DN Reddy as a token of gratitude by DSF. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Rajeev Vij, Secretary, DSF.

DSF also organised a DRDO Oration on Research and Higher Education in a Changing World by Prof. P Balaram, Director, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, on 18 October 2012 at Dr Bhagavantham Auditorium, Metcalfe House, Delhi.

Prof. Balaram is a renowned expert in molecular biophysics. He received his MSc from IIT, Kanpur , in 1969 and PhD in Chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA, in 1972. Prof. Balaram is a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Indian National Science Academy and the Third World Academy of Sciences, Trieste, Italy. He has received many awards/honours in recognition of his work, including Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in 1986; Alumni Award for Excellence in Research from IISc in 1991; TWAS Award in Chemistry in 1994; GD Birla Award for Scientific Research in 1994; Distinguished Alumnus Award of IIT Kanpur in 2000; and Padmashri by the Government of India in 2002.

The programme began with lighting of lamp by Prof.

Balaram, Dr V Bhujanga Rao, DS and CC R&D (HR), and Chief Mentor DSF, Shri G Elangovan, DS and CC R&D (Avionics and Aeronautics), Dr PK Saxena OS and Director, SAG, and Dr Rajeev Vij, Secretary, DSF. Dr Saxena welcomed the guests. Dr V Bhujanga Rao, DS and CC R&D (HR) introduced the orator to the audience.

Prof. Balaram's inspiration packed oration received a standing ovation from the audience. He shared his experiences of success and failures of dreams and reality to inspire the large gathering of young scientists present at Dr Bhagavantham Auditorium.

A memento was presented to Prof. Balaram by Dr Bhujanga Rao on behalf of DSF. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Rajeev Vij.

Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Tezpur, has established Bhut Jolokia, a variety of pepper grown in north-east India, as a new noble species with new name Capsicum assamicum. The specific epithet, assamicum, is given in honour of its first occurrence report from Assam.

Dr Jubilee Purkayastha, the scientist working on it, informed that after consultation of the herbarium at Central National Herbarium, Howrah, Kolkatta, and relevant literature (Hooker, 1885; Kurz, 1887; Kanjilal, et al.,1940; Haridason & Rao, 1987), Bhut Jolokia was found to resemble Capsicum frutescencs with respect to red to orange fruit, multi-cellular epidermal hairs, parenchymatous

cortex, presence of endodermis, stele in the form of a continuous ring surrounding the parenchymatous pith, etc. The presence of a calyx constriction, multiple flowers per node, and pendent flower position, however, placed this specimen in the species Capsicum chinense. But the specimen differs from any other species of Capsicum with respect

to its habitat, leaves, flower and fruit morphology and anatomical details of the stem.

A detailed study of Bhut Jolokia has revealed its existence as new noble species. The findings have been published in the Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences, 2012, 5(1), 55-66.

Bhut Jolokia in natural habitat

7December 2012

DMRL, Hyderabad

Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), Hyderabad, celebrated its 49th Annual Day on 15 October 2012. Shri M Narayana Rao, Chairman and Managing Director, MIDHANI, was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Dr G Malakondaiah, DS and Director, DMRL, gave a brief account of achievements of the laboratory during 2011. As DMRL is entering into its 50th year, a logo symbolising 50th year of DMRL was unveiled by Dr AM Shriramamurty, former Director, DMRL and Shri RB Subramanyam, former Director, Projects. The logo has been designed by Shri Biswajit Mohopatra, STA C of DMRL.

Shri Rao in his address appreciated the achievements of DMRL. While highlighting the close interactions between DMRL and MIDHANI in the development of advanced materials for defence and other strategic applications, Shri Rao emphasised the need for more such collaborative efforts in future. He also presented various laboratory level DRDO awards to scientists, technical officers, and other staff. Dr Malakondaiah presented momentoes to DMRL staff who completed 20 years of service. Cultural events were organised by the DMRL employees on this occasion.

As a part of raising day celebrations, various sports events were also conducted. Dr Malakondaiah, Dr Amol A Gokhale, and Dr Ashok Kumar Gogia, both OS and Associate Directors, DMRL, distributed prizes to the winners of the sports events.

PXE, Balasore

Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE),

Annual/Raising Day Celebrations

Chandipur, celebrated its 118th Raising Day on 7 November 2012 with a lot of fervour and enthusiasm. The celebration included marathon walk and sports in the morning and a cultural programme in the evening.

Shri R Appavuraj, Director, PXE, inaugurated the marathon in which more than 100 employees participated and walked from both MT rear and Central School Chhak to Hemkapada Chhak with lots of enthusiasm.

Dr DK Kharate, Director, Directorate of Armaments, DRDO HQ, New Delhi, was the Chief Guest in the morning function. Dr Kharate in his address lauded the contributions made by PXE in the field of test and evaluation of various arms and ammunition. On this occasion Shri Appavuraj presented cash awards to 104 employees of PXE and felicitated 54 officers and staff who completed 25 years of service. Mrs Chitra Appavuraj, first lady of PXE, distributed sports prize to the winners of various sports event.

At the cultural programme organised at DRDO Auditorium, Chandipur, Shri MVKV Prasad, Director, Interim Test Range (ITR), was the Chief Guest and Shri RP Koche, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Balasore, was the Guest of Honour. Children of PXE employees presented dances and songs. Various laboratory level DRDO awards were given away by the Chief Guest, the Guest of Honour, and the Director, PXE. Shri S Padhy, Sc D received the Lab Scientist of the Year Award while Shri GC Ghosh, PS A, received Proof Man of the Year Award. Miss Anisha Kumari Manjh, daughter of Shri Guhi Manjhi, TN C, got Proof Young Talent Search Award on this occasion. Shri A Bose, Sc F, was the Chairman of the Raising Day.

SAG, Delhi

Scientific Analysis Group (SAG), Delhi, celebrated its 49th Lab Raising Day on 19 October 2012. Dr KD Nayak, DS and Chief Controller R&D (MED, MIST and Cyber Systems), was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Directors of Metcalfe House and Timarpur-based sister labs and Technical Directors of DRDO HQ, also graced the occasion. The function was also attended by the former employees of SAG. The event was special to SAG as it marked the beginning of its 50th year.

8 December 2012

Conferences/Seminars/Symposia/Training Courses/Meetings

Manpower Development Activities

Dr PK Saxena, OS and Director, SAG, welcomed the guests. In his inaugural address, he highlighted the achievements of SAG during the past year. He crisply spoke about the multidisciplinary approach being followed in the SAG to carry out the challenging task of cryptanalysis. He also briefly discussed the activities planned for future.

Dr KD Nayak, in his presidential address, appreciated the work carried out by the SAG and said that the problems handled by SAG are of very difficult level. He exhorted the scientists of SAG to develop tools and techniques to meet the challenges posed by developments taking place in the area of information security. Dr Nayak also released, Chakrayuh, the annual technical magazine of SAG.

Outstanding officers and staff of SAG were awarded laboratory level DRDO Awards by the Chief Guest. The winners of sports events were awarded by Dr Saxena. The employees who completed 25 years of service in DRDO were honoured with mementoes. Besides the organisation of various sports events, the celebrations also included a mega cultural event presented by the members of SAG.

CEMILAC, Bengaluru

Regional Centre for Military Airworthiness (F&F-FOL), Bengaluru, in coordination with Society for Failure Analysis, Bengaluru Chapter, and HAL (F&F), organised a one-day seminar on Failure Analysis of Aerospace Castings and Forging at Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), Bengaluru on 29 September 2012. Dr K Tamilmani, DS and CE (A), CEMILAC and President SFA, during his inaugural address highlighted the importance of promoting safer design of components and service of equipment for defence application. The fundamentals of failure analysis and prevention of failures in aerospace casting and forging, novel techniques used in the field of aerospace casting and forging and cast studies were extensively discussed during the seminar. Shri K Naresh Babu, MD, HAL was the Chief Guest and Shri D Dutta, Seinior Engineering Manager, UTAS, Bengaluru, was the Guest of Honour.

DESIDOC, Delhi

To apprise various DRDO laboratories to upload their tenders on the official website of DRDO, Defence

Scientific Information and Documentation Centre (DESIDOC), Delhi, provided region-wise training to lab representatives by Shri Satpal Singh, Technical Officer B. He visited Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), Bengaluru; Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL), Hyderabad, and Research and Development Establishment (Engrs) [R&DE(E)], Pune, to provide hands-on training on uploading of tenders. Twenty DRDO labs/estts in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune regions were covered during the months of September and October 2012. More than 100 DRDO officers/employees participated in these training sessions.

DRDO HQ

DRDO sponsored a two-days national workshop on Cloud Computing and Its Industrial Applications at Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Bhajarang Engineering College, Vepampattu, Thiruvallur, Tamilnadu, during 14-15 September 2012. Dr S Neduncheliyan, Principal, Bhajarang Engineering College, welcomed the participants. Dr MG Baskaran, Chairman, gave the presidential address. Dr GV Uma,

9December 2012

Professor/Head, Department of Information Science and Technology, Anna University, Chennai, who was the Chief Guest, explained the use of Cloud Applications in Industries. Dr S Boss, Assistant Professor, Anna University, Chennai, spoke on Infrastructure as a Service in Cloud. The other speaker, Dr R Vijaya Rajeshwaran, CEO, VI Micro Systems, Chennai, spoke on some graphical illustrations to show new technological development.

DLRL, Hyderabad

Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL), Hyderabad, organised a lecture by Shri Avinash Kumar, Sc F, Dte of ER&IPR, DRDO HQ, on IPR Awareness, and Patent Clinic, on 12 October, 2012. Shri TN Yadgiri Rao, OS and Associate Director, DLRL, delivered the welcome address and underlined the importance of IPR in safe guarding technology innovation. Shri KSC Mouleshwar Rao, Sc F, was the Course Director and Shri Sanjay Pandav, Sc E, was the Deputy Course Director.

Shri Avinash Kumar delivering the lecture

Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur; Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), Delhi; IUAC; DRDO HQ; and IDS HQ. Dr Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Sc G, was the Course Director and Shri Vinod Kaushik was the Course Coordinator.

Dr Sharma and Brig. Rawat at the inaugural function

INMAS, Delhi

Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), Delhi, organised a special training course on CBRN Emergency Management for QRTs/QRMTs and NDRF personnel during 8-12 October 2012. Shri JKS Rawat, DIG, NDRF HQ, Delhi, delivered the inaugural address on CBRN Emergencies: A NDRF Perspective. Sixty-three persons of QRTs/QRMTs and NDRF from various battalions attended the course. The faculty was drawn from INMAS, Centre for Fire, Explosives and Environment Safety (CFEES), Delhi; Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior; Defence Materials and Stores

PXE, Balasore

Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE), Balasore, organised a Continuing Education Programme (CEP) on Safety in Armament Test and Evaluation during 8-12 October 2012. Thirty participants attended the course. The course was designed to apprise the participants safety awareness during the dynamic test. Major thrust was given on safety in ammunition processing; explosive safety and ammunition handling; industrial safety; workshop safety; STEC rules; safety during armament testing; weapon safety; range safety; environmental safety; instrumentation safety; occupational health and hazard; fire safety and personal protective equipment. These were dealt in details by expert faculty from PXE. Dr N Nayak, Sc F, PXE, was the Chief Guest in the valedictory function. Dr AK Sannigrahi, Sc F, was the Course Director as well as the Course Coordinator.

Lighting of lamp at the inauguration by the participants

10 December 2012

RCI, HyderabadResearch Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, organised

a one-day Rajbhasha workshop on Computerisation in RCI on 31 October 2012. Shri N Venkatesh, Sc F and Member Secretary, Official Language Implementation Committee (OLIC), RCI, welcomed the participants and highlighted the achievements of RCI Hindi Cell. Shri Kazim Ahmed and Shri Vinod Kumar Mahor, Sc C, delivered lectures on official language policy rules and regulations and on the theme of the workshop with emphasis on ERP implementation, respectively. Dr CG Balaji, OS and Associate Director, RCI, presided over the valedictory function. Shri K Ramasharma, Sc G, and Vice Chairman OLIC, presented mementos to participants. Shri R Jaisingh, TO C, proposed the vote of thanks.

SASE, ManaliSnow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE),

Manali, conducted a users workshop on Technologies for the Assessment and Mitigation of Avalanche Hazards and Safe Mobility of Troops in the Snowbound Areas on 12 October 2012 at Mountain Met Centre (MMC), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. Forty-two Army officers from various units deployed in snowbound areas and glaciated regions of 15 Corps attended the workshop. Brig. TPS Rawat, VSM, Chief Engineer, Beacon, was the Guest of Honour in the inaugural function. Shri Ashwagosha Ganju, Director, SASE, welcomed the Chief Guest and all the participants and said, “The aim of the workshop is to educate the troops deployed in snowbound regions of northern Himalaya about snow and avalanches and related aspects.” Brig. Rawat appreciated the efforts put in by SASE in conducting such workshops and urged the participants to make the best use of the information provided by SASE. Col Surendra Sharma, OIC, MMC, Srinagar, presented vote of thanks.

Shri Ganju delivering the inaugural address

Dr Balaji with participants

RCMA, KanpurRegional Centre for Military Airworthiness (RCMA),

CEMILAC, Kanpur, organised a CEP course on Role of Transport Aircraft in Modern Electronic Warfare during 8-12 October 2012. Dr Arvind Kumar Saxena, OS and Director, Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur, inaugurated the course. The course was attended by 29 participants from different DRDO labs, ADA, HAL, DGAQA, Coast Guard, and IAF. Lectures were delivered by persons from DRDO labs (i.e., CABS, LRDE, DLRL, IRDE), IIT Kanpur, ECIL, and HAL covering latest developments in the area of electronic warfare, military transport aircraft design, testing and certification. Visits were also organised to National Wind Tunnel Facility (NWTF) and Flight Test Laboratory at IIT Kanpur and Dornier aircraft manufacturing facility at HAL, Kanpur. Shri Sita Ram, Regional Director, RCMA-K, was the Course Director, Shri Amarjit Das, Sc F, was the Course Coordinator, and Shri Nitin Verma, Sc D, was the Deputy Course Coordinator.

Blood Donation Camp at DEAL

Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL), Dehradun, and IMA Blood Bank, Dehradun, jointly organised a voluntary blood donation camp on 25 September 2012. Employees, 47 male and 5 female, of DEAL enthusiastically donated the blood.

11December 2012

Personnel News

Appointments

CAIR, Bengaluru

Shri Sanjay Burman, OS, took over the charge of Director, Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), Bengaluru, wef 1 November 2012. He did his BSc (Electronics and Telecommunication Engg) from Sambalpur University, Orissa, in 1985,

and MTech in Signal Processing from IIT-K, Kanpur, in 1995. He is currently pursuing PhD in the area of re-configurable computing at IIT-Madras, Chennai.

Shri Burman joined Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a premier DRDO laboratory at Bengaluru, in 1986. In November 2000 he was transferred to CAIR, Bangalore. His current areas of interest are in the fields of communication, networking, security, and allied subjects. Prior to his appointment as Director, he was heading the Communication Systems and Security Division of CAIR, where his Group designed a number of innovative communication systems and high grade security solutions for various communication links.

He has contributed to the design of several security solutions, which have been productionised and deployed in the field. He has won a number of Republic Day Awards. He was awarded Sir CV Raman Young Scientist Award in 1999; Laboratory Scientist of the Year award in 2005; DRDO’s Agni Award and Performance Excellence Award in 2005, 2006, and 2007 for the development of secure communication systems that have been productionised, and DRDO Scientist of the Year Award in 2010 from the Prime Minister of India.

Shri Burman is a founder member of the Cryptology Research Society of India. He has a number of publications to his credit in the areas of cryptography, security and re-configurable computing in national and international journals. He has delivered a number of invited talks and tutorials in the area of cryptography

and security systems. He is in constant touch with the academia in his field and has encouraged inclusion of security related courses in academic institutions.

PXE, Balasore

Shri R Appavuraj, Sc G, has been appointment Director of Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE), Chandipur, wef 1 October 2012. Shri Appavuraj graduated as Aeronautical Engineer from Madras Institute of Technology, Chennai, in 1982. He did

his postgraduation from IIT-Madras, Chennai in 1984. Subsequently, he served for two years in IIT-Madras, Chennai, and developed simulation model for high speed centrifuge stability problem. He joined Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, in October 1986. He contributed to Prithvi’s Hardware-in-Loop Simulation activity. In November 1990, he joined as Sc C at Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. During the two decades of his service at ITR he established state-of-the-art Range Safety Simulation Model using soft computing techniques. He also established data fusion software, which has been patented. He further stabilised survey methodology using WGS-84 model and set-up DGPS simulation and calibration methodology for range sensor calibration. He is instrumental in setting up aerial target system also.

As Range Safety Officer, Shri Appavuraj ensured safe lunch practices of all major missile programme of DRDO. He has published 30 conference papers and five research papers. He has visited Russia, Israel, Italy, Spain, and Greece for various project activities including BrahMos, LRSAM, and aerial targets. He also visited OTB Range, South Africa, and Naval Test Range, Russia. He has presented papers in international conferences in Hawaii and Orlando.

Shri Appavuraj is recepient of DRDO Scientist of the Year Award in 2012 for his contribution towards development of real-time flight safety expert system and safe launching practice at ITR, Chandipur. He has also received several DRDO Awards for achieving success

ISSN:0971-4391

The Editorial Team thanks DRDO Newsletter Correspondents for their contributions.

Visits to DRDO Labs/Estts

SASE, Chandigarh

Executive Board Project Review Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr S Sunderesh, DS and CC R&D (ACE&SI) visited Snow and avalanche Study

Establishment (SASE), on 1 November 2012 to review the various ongoing projects in the laboratory. Presentations were made by the project leaders to discuss the progress and bottlenecks of various projects. Dr Sunderesh also inaugurated High Performance Computing (HPC) Data Centre installed at Research and Development Centre (RDC), Chandigarh.

TBRL, Chandigarh

Dr R Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to Govt of India, visited TBRL on 15 October 2012. Dr Manjit Singh, Director, TBRL, briefed him about various lab activities, critical and important projects and Gas Gun Facility.

Dr Manjit Singh explaining Gas Gun facility to Dr R Chidambaram

on BrahMos, B05, Akash and Program AD besides DRDO Award for Path Breaking Research/Outstanding Technology in 2008.

Higher Qualification Acquired

ASL, Hyderabad

Shri CH. V. Ram Mohan, Sc F, Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), Hyderabad, has been awarded PhD by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU),

Hyderabad, for his thesis titled Design,

Modelling and Experimental Validation on a Typical Flex Bearing Joint of Rocket Motor Nozzle.

MTRDC, Bengaluru

Smt M Sumathy, Sc D, MTRDC, Bengaluru, has been awarded PhD from IISc, Bengaluru, for her thesis titled on Analysis of Broadband and High Efficiency

Folded Waveguide Slow-wave Structure for Millimeter-wave Travelling-wave Tubes.

Dr Sundaram inaugurating the HPC data centre

CAIR, Bengaluru

Dr KD Nayak, DS and CC (MED, MIST & Cyber Systems) on 20 October 2012.