March 2009

Vol 29 No 3

v Defensive Aids System for AFVs v Symposia/Workshops n National Laser Symposium

n n

Defensive Aids System for Armoured Fighting Vehicles

National Symposium on Acoustics National Workshop on Role of Indian Women in Techno-Nationalism Robotics & Autonomous Vehicles : Views and Perspectives Materials Technologies for Defence Defence Technologies for Imaging and Communication

v Manpower Development Activities n DEBEL, Bangalore

DESIDOC, Delhi DIPAS, Delhi n HEMRL, Pune n ISSA, Delhi
n n

v Personnel News n Appointment

Promotion Superannuation n Award
n n

v Patents Granted v DRL, Tezpur at Bharat Nirman Campaign v DRDO Golden Jubilee Student Competition v DRDO Golden Jubilee Quiz v DRDO Day Celebrations n NPOL, Kochi

n

RCI, Hyderabad

v Sports Round-up v Visits to DRDO Labs/Estts.

ombat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), Avadi, has taken up Development of Defensive Aids System for Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) to enhance the survivability of the tanks against antitank guided missile threats and to reduce the probability of detection by the target acquisition systems. Under this project, two major systems viz., Advanced Laser Warning and Countermeasure System (ALWCS) and Mobile Camouflage System (MCS) are being developed. MCS is to provide multispectral signature management of the vehicle to reduce the vehicle signature against all known sensors and smart munitions. MCS system has been developed in collaboration with Barracuda Camouflage Ltd, Gurgaon. The system has been integrated on MBT Arjun and the performance evaluation trials have been successfully completed. The methodology and the technologies can be adopted for any AFV platform. ALWCS system comprises laser warning system, IR jammer, and aerosol smoke grenade system. This is being developed jointly with Elbit Systems Ltd, Israel. The system will be integrated on MBT Arjun and performance evaluation trials are expected during summer 2009.

National Laser Symposium (NLS-2008)

for riot and mob control, counter-insurgency and antiterrorist operations, high power laser-based weapons on land-based aerial and space-based platforms will be used to defend airbases, ports, and aircraft carriers from ballistic missile attacks. Eighteen technical sessions held during the Symposium included, plenary session, invited and contributed presentations by leading experts and young researchers, PhD these presentations, oral and poster presentations in several areas of laser science and technology like physics and technology of lasers, ultrafast lasers and applications, lasers in defence, industry and space, laser remote sensing, laser-based instrumentation, and many more. A separate technical session on Lasers in Defence, was a part of the technical deliberations which included an invited talk by Shri AK Maini, Director, LASTEC, on Battlefield Lasers and Optoelectronics Systems. In his talk he gave an overview of the current and emerging military applications of lasers and optoelectronics systems with an outline on the likely trends, leading to performance enhancement of the existing systems and emergence of new application areas. He also highlighted the development activity in the field of laser and optoelectronics devices and systems at LASTEC. In another invited talk of this session, Dr AK Razdan, Sci F, LASTEC, discussed the threat posed by chemical and biological warfare (CBW) agents and the unique characteristics of laser-based remote sensing for trace detection of these CBW agents at long stand-off ranges of several kilometer, not possible with conventional detection techniques. In addition to a technical exhibition on various products/equipment used by laser/optics community, a separate exhibition of LASTEC-developed products and technologies was also held showcasing EOCM systems and technologies, solid-state lasers, lidar technology, adaptive optics, and high power laser components, etc.

Dr R Sreehari Rao, OS & CC R&D (ECS) lighting the lamp.

March 09

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he 8th DAE-BRNS National Laser Symposium (NLS2008) was held at Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC), Delhi, during 7-10 January, 2009. The fourday event was jointly organised by Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). In view of the pivotal role played by high power laser technology in several disciplines of science, the focal theme of this Symposium was chosen as High Power High Energy Lasers. The Symposium covered frontline research in basic laser physics, as well as significant advances in development and applications of laser technology in science and engineering. More than 500 eminent scientists, technologists, and students from various national R&D laboratories, S&T institutions, universities, colleges, and IITs participated in the Symposium. Some well known scientists/researchers from USA, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore etc. also participated in the Symposium. Dr R Sreehari Rao, OS and CC R&D (ECS), in his opening remarks, emphasised the critical role played by lasers and optoelectronic systems in the modern battlefield and the activities being pursued at DRDO laboratories in these areas. He also identified laser-based directed energy weapons as one of the major areas of global interest for scientists, engineers, technologists, and war strategists. Dr VK Saraswat, DS and CC R&D (MSS), delivered the plenary talk on, Role of High Power Lasers in Defence. Dr Saraswat emphasised that the laser-based directed energy weapons will play an increasingly dominant role during the next two decades of this century, rendering obsolete the traditional high-tech weaponry and completely dominating battlefield by 2025. On the use of lasers in non-lethal role, Dr Saraswat said, while non-lethal weapons will be used

Dr VK Saraswat, DS & CCR&D (MSS) at the EOCM product exhibition.

DRDO golden jubilee celebrations

National Symposium on Acoustics (NSA-2008)
s part of DRDO Golden Jubilee Celebrations, Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, organised a one-day Workshop on Quieter Technologies on 22 December 2008 followed by a National Symposium on Acoustics (NSA-2008) during 23-24 December 2008. DRDO Golden Jubilee Exhibition was also organised concurrently with the participation of the Naval Cluster Labs viz., NSTL, NPOL and NMRL. The Symposium was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Nirmal K Verma, PVSM AVSM ADC, FOC-in-C Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam. Dr B Satyanarayana, ViceChancellor, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, and Dr A Sivathanu Pillai, DS & CCR&D (ACE & NS) graced the occasion as Guests of Honour. About 140 delegates attended the symposium in addition to invitees from Navy, DRDO, Andhra University, and engineering colleges. Invited talks from eminent experts in different fields of acoustics were arranged during the Symposium. MS Narayanans Memorial Lecture was delivered by Shri S Anantanarayanan, Director, NPOL, Kochi and Prof Rais Ahmeds Memorial Lecture was delivered by Dr K Samudra Vijaya, Scientist, TIFR, Mumbai. Mrs Mira Pauls Memorial Lecture were delivered by Dr M Kumaresan, Director, International Research Institute for the Deaf (IRID), Chennai, and Dr SS Agarwal presided. During the inaugural function, Gold Medals were awarded to Dr Kumaresan and Dr SS Agarwal, Silver Medal was presented to Dr A Ramachandraiah by Dr HS Paul, Chairman, IRID, Chennai. Sir CV Raman Award was presented to Dr ML Munjal and Dr TSS Narayanan by Dr V Bhujanga Rao, President, ASI for the Best Paper published in JASI in 2007.

Chief Guest, Vice Adml Nirmal Verma releasing the proceedings.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr B Satyanarayana, Vice-Chancellor, Andhra University. The Exhibition was open for public visited during the Symposium and it received tremendous response with over 15000 people. Prominent among the visitors were Dr Pillai, Vice Admiral Verma, senior officers from Indian Navy and local VIPs. The objective of the Exhibition was to showcase live models of outstanding products which have already been inducted into Services, products under development, and state-of-the-art technologies, processes, and audio-visual presentations to enlighten the public and prospective scientists/engineers, of the over all contribution of DRDO Naval Laboratories in equipping the Indian Navy. Industry partners also participated in the Exhibition by displaying the acoustic technologies relevant to Naval applications. Dr ML Munjal was the Chief Guest for the valedictory function of NSA-2008. The event turned out to be one of its kind, unique in many aspects and setting up a benchmark for bringing in scientific awareness in the young minds.

National Workshop on Role of Indian Women in Techno-Nationalism was organised by Womens Council of High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune, on 11 December 2008 as part of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of DRDO and Centenary Celebration of HEMRL. The Workshop was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Smt VM Bendre, Director, Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune. In her inaugural speech, she appealed the participants to make concerted efforts for Nations multidimensional growth. Smt Bendre brought out that India primarily
Smt VM Bendre lighting the lamp; also seen Dr A Subhananda Rao, Director, HEMRL.

National Workshop on Role of Indian Women in Techno-Nationalism

March 09

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DRDO Golden Jubilee Celebrations

exists in the villages and if women in the villages are motivated for education, professional courses, it would be real empowerment of the women. The objective of the Workshop was to focus on the stupendous progress made in the recent past and futuristic avenues in the areas of high energy materials, missiles, composite materials, medicine, art, law, management, and safety. The Workshop provided platform for the participants and helped them contribute to bigger accomplishments for our nation. The Chief Guest released the special issue of in-house magazine Urja, on the occasion. The Guest of Honour, Smt (Dr) Rohini Devi, Technology Director, HTCC, Advance Systems Laboratory (ASL), Hyderabad, on the occasion elaborated the development of carbon composite materials for hightemperature applications. She brought out the importance of techno-nationalism. It is because of techno-nationalism, that DRDO could develop the carbon-carbon composite material which can withstand about 3000 C temperature. She acknowledged the role of IITs, DRDO labs and industries. Dr A Subhananda Rao, Outstanding Scientist & Director, HEMRL and Chairman, Organising Committee of the Workshop, in his welcome address brought out that the main objective of the National Workshop to highlight the accomplishments of Indian women and their role in techno-nationalism wherein technology denied by advanced countries were developed indigenously by the concerted efforts of scientists in the relevant fields along with the participation of Indian women who contributed meaningfully. He said at that women should empower themselves by their achievements and dedicated efforts. Eminent women scientists from DRDO laboratories, experts from police, medical, journalism, and arts participated and deliberated on the various important topics. The topics of their talks included: countermeasures against increasing crime, international R&D cooperation, gynecology, recent medical developments, safety, world of computers, high energy materials, etc. More than 200 delegates, including scientists from DRDO labs, participated in the Workshop. Smt Reny Roy, Vice-Chairperson, HEMRL Organising Committee of the Workshop proposed the Vote of Thanks.

March 09

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Symposium on Robotics & Autonomous Vehicles : Views and Perspectives

Symposium and Exhibition on Robotics and Autonomous Vehicles : Views and Perspectives was conducted at Research and Development Establishment (Engrs)[R&DE (Engrs)], Pune, on 7-8 November 2008 as part of the DRDO Golden Jubilee Celebrations. The event was jointly organised by ADE, CAIR, CVRDE, NSTL, VRDE, and R&DE (Engrs). The Symposium was inaugurated by Dr S Banerjee, Director Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, and Dr A Sivathanu Pillai, DS & CCR&D (NS & ACE). Dr Pillai gave the Inaugural Address on Emerging Trends in Robotics. The Keynote Address on Challenges in Mobile Robotics was delivered by Dr Banerjee.

Dr A Sivathanu Pillai, DS & CC R&D (NS&ACE) inaugurating the symposium.

There were three sessions organised in the Symposium. The First Session was the users perspective, in which eminent speakers from users viz., Army, Navy, and representatives from DRDO laboratories delivered talks related to users requirement, specialties, and projects. The Second Session was on industry views, wherein representatives from industries like Tata Motors, Wavelet Group, Pune; Systemantics Ltd, Bangalore; Precision Automation and Robotics (I) Ltd, Pune and ECIL, Hyderabad, presented the ongoing research in the industry. In the Third Session on research and academia perspectives, Dr LM Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor of DIAT, Pune, delivered a talk on Challenges in Autonomous Systems. Many eminent speakers from BARC, Mumbai; ISRO, Bangalore; IIT, Kharagpur, and National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, presented their achievements. About 200 delegates participated in the symposium. The participants were from Army, Navy, Air Force, Paramilitary Forces, such as NSG; Police, Industry, Academia and scientific organizations like ISRO, BARC, C-DAC, DST, NIO, CMERI, etc. The Symposium was instrumental in bringing together the various fraternity working in this area and defining the roadmap to meet the future requirements of our Armed Forces and civil organisations.

DRDO Golden Jubilee Celebrations

An exhibition was also organised to showcase the ongoing work at different DRDO laboratories wherein live demonstrations of unmanned vehicles were carried out. The unmanned vehicles from VRDE, unmanned air vehicles from SASE and ADE, and Daksh the RO Vehicle developed by R&DE(Engrs) were displayed in the Exhibition. About 40 industries dealing in sub-systems and components for robotics and unmanned vehicles also demonstrated their products and systems at the Exhibition.

Symposium on Materials Technologies for Defence

s a part of the DRDO Golden Jubilee Celebrations, the Materials Cluster laboratories of DRDO namely DMRL, DMSRDE, and DLJ, organised a two-day Symposium entitled, Materials Technologies for Defence, at Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), Hyderabad, during 12-13 December 2008. The Symposium was inaugurated by Dr Prahlada, DS and CC R&D (SI & AMS). An overview of achievements and future research perspectives of each of the Materials Cluster laboratories of DRDO was given by the respective directors, viz., Dr G Malakondiah of DMRL, Dr KU Bhasker Rao of DMRSDE, and Dr Narendra Kumar of DLJ. Technical sessions on diverse materials were held which elicited the views, requirements, and perspectives of the users, production agencies, and R&D laboratories. A panel discussion chaired by Shri P Venugopalan, Director, DRDL focused on enhancing the synergy among various stakeholders in materials technologies wherein

representatives from R&D, industry, users and academia took part. Dr G Sundararajan, Director, ARCI delivered the Keynote Address with focus on current trends/perspectives in R&D on Materials Science and Technology. An exhibition showcasing various products and technologies from the Materials Cluster laboratories was also held concurrently.

Dignitaries at the Inaugural function.

Symposium on Defence Technologies for Imaging and Communication

efence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL) and Instrument Research and Development Establishment (IRDE), Dehradun, jointly organised a symposium on Defence Technologies for Imaging and Communication (DTIC-2008) at DEAL, Dehradun, on 23 December 2008. The objective of the Symposium was to consolidate the imaging and communication technologies, used for the development of equipment for Armed Forces. About 18 invited talks were delivered in three Technical Sessions by researchers, developers, and industry representatives. The Symposium received an overwhelming response and a total of 200 delegates from Services, R&D institutions, Govt PSUs like BEL, ECIL, and industry participated in the deliberations. The Symposium was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Dr W Selvamurty, DS and CCR&D (LS & HR). Shri VP Sandlas, former DS and CCR&D (ECS) graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. On this occasion, Shri

VP Sandlas, Dr OP Nijhawan, and Shri JAR Krishnamurty, all former Directors of IRDE, and Dr EB Rao, former director of DEAL, were felicitated for their memorable contributions in establishing these technologies for defence applications. An exhibition was also arranged to showcase the products developed by DEAL and IRDE. ECIL and BEL also participated in the exhibition.

Dr EB Rao Former Director of DEAL being felicitated.

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Manpower Development Activities

DEBEL, Bangalore
A CEP Course on Biomedical Sensors, Biosensors and Systems Engineering was organised by Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL), Bangalore during 27-30 January 2009. The course was inaugurated by Dr VC Padaki, Director, DEBEL, who also delivered a Keynote Lecture on Bionic Eye. The course covered basics and new technologies in the area. The topics included biomedical signal processing, biomedical image processing, sensors based on fibre optic gratings, carbon nanotubes, microarrays, and microfluidics. Sixteen lectures were delivered on various topics. Faculty comprised speakers from DRDO, IISc, NIMHANS and Anna University. The participants were from DEBEL and sister DRDO Labs. CDs containing course material and other printed reading material were given to course participants.

DESIDOC, Delhi
Defence Scientific Information and Documentation Centre (DESIDOC), Delhi organised a CEP Course on Science Communication during 26 February 2009. Dr SS Murthy former Director, DESIDOC, inaugurated the Course. Smt Renu Arora, NISCAIR, Delhi presented the Keynote address. Lectures on various topics related to the recent trends in scientific and technical communication, technical communication skills, modern communication media, online publishing/open access to scientific literature, technical editing skills, IPRs issues related to publishing were covered, both by external and in-house faculty. Thirty-seven participants from various laboratories of DRDO attended the Course. Shri Ashok Kumar, Addl Director gave the valedictory remarks and distributed the certificates to the participants. Smt Shashi Tyagi, Addl Director was the Course Coordinator, and Smt Sumati Sharma, Sc E, was the Course Director.

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DIPAS, Delhi
A two-day, in-house Training Programme for Imparting Multi-skills for non-matriculate Group-D Employees was organised by Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Delhi, during 19-27 January 2009. On the guidelines of DRDO HQrs, the Programme covered topics on conduct and discipline, entitlement and service benefits, understanding the organisation setup fundamentals, etc. Topics covered were identification of the file/documents logistic and geography of working area, office and personal etiquette, broad conversational skills, handling dak and routine correspondence, maintaining records including index, storage retrieval, documentation, handling stores, record keeping, simple entries into ledgers and returns, photocopying, binding, responsibility and role transformation, fire-fighting and its prevention, security and vigilance and, maintenance of lab equipment. Faculty members drawn from DIPR, DESIDOC, INMAS and DIPAS conducted the training programme successfully. Dr S Sarada Surya Kumari, Sc D was the Course Director and Shri VG Kale, SAO-I was the Course Coordinator.

HEMRL, Pune
A CEP Course on Explosives and Environmental Safety was conducted by High Energy Material Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune, during 5-9 January 2009. Dr (Smt) Chitra Rajopal, Sci G, CFEES, Delhi was the Chief Guest on the occasion and she delivered the Inaugural Address. The course covered various topics of safety such as occupational safety, environment and pollution, electrical safety, fire safety, ESD system, accident analysis, disaster management, safety aspects in pyrotechnics, gun propellants, solid rocket propellants, high explosives, combustible cartridge cases processing, etc. The participants were taken around the various technical divisions in HEMRL and the demonstration on fire fighting equipment by Usha Fire Systems, Pune was very informative. Dr A Subhananda Rao, Outstanding Scientist, Director HEMRL, the Chief Guest of the valedictory function, gave away certificates to the participants. In his concluding speech, he emphasised the importance of safety in our day-to-day life.

ISSA, Delhi
Vice Admiral (Retd) Raman Puri, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, delivered a talk on Technology and National Security at the Institute for Systems Studies and Analyses (ISSA), Delhi, on 20 January 2009. He gave an elaborate and comprehensive talk on the topic. The session was attended by Chairman PEACE, Directors of sister Labs, and scientists from ISSA and other Labs in the Metcalfe House Complex, Delhi. He started his lecture by talking about continuum of warfare, i.e., low-intensity war, conventional, multinational and nuclear war. He then elaborated on the emerging domains of warfare, viz., network-centric warfare, joint engagement capability, space and cyber space wars. He discussed the goals, limitations, and technologies for information superiority. He addressed the issue of indigenisation as the way to self-reliance. He discussed the Fish Bone Model of jointness and synergy. The mobile internet and WIMAX technologies which involve design and manufacture of network and integration, base station terminals, ASICs and software, assembly, test, and s e m i c o n d u c t o r Vice Adm (Retd) Raman Puri delivering the talk. fabrication. He highlighted the fact that in the field of network design, civil works and installation, there are many Indian companies working, but in the field of ASICs and software, base stations and semiconductor fabrication, there is a dearth of know-how and we require a lot of investment in these fields. He discussed that technology has four components: humanware, infoware, organoware, and technoware as stated by Sharif and Ramanathan. His lecture was very informative and it made the scientists aware of what they need to focus on in the nearfuture in the field of national security.

Personnel News
APPOINTMENT

ARDE, Pune
Shri Anil M Datar was appointed Director, Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune, born on 27 October 1955. Shri Datar obtained his BE (Mechanical) from Govt College of Engineering, University of Pune, Pune, in 1977. He has also obtained DBM and MBA from the University of Pune. He joined DRDO at the Armament R&D Establishment, Pashan, Pune, in 1982 as Sci B. In 1989, he was deputed to UK to pursue MSc (Engg) in Gun System Design from the Royal Military College of Science (RMCS), Cranfield, UK and he secured first rank with Distinction and won the prestigious ROF Trophy. He was deputed to High Commission of India, London, in 2003 as Technical Adviser (Defence) and looked after the Defence R&D and S&T responsibilities of the High Commission of India. He was posted back to ARDE after a successful tenure of three years. He has got varied experience in the design and development of armament systems. He has worked extensively for the project of design and development

of 5.56 mm INSAS system wherein rifle, LMG and ammunition were developed. He started his career in this project as grass root designer and became Project Leader during transfer of technology (ToT) stage. He successfully led his team for establishment of mass manufacture and productionising thereafter. Today, the Infantry and some of Paramilitary Forces are fully equipped with INSAS. He also initiated the project for submachine carbine at that time, which is now at the completion stage. He did extensive studies to initiate idea of Soldier as a System which is now taking shape as Technology Demonstrator. He was instrumental for the development of ICV Armament and 40 mm FSAPDS ammunition, which now has been successful as a technology demonstration project. Now, he has been associated with Pinaka ToT and Pinaka Trajectory Correction System as well as ToT of Arjun ammunition. He was awarded Scientist of the Year Award in 1998. He was member of team which bagged Technology Transfer Award for INSAS ToT. Shri Datar is a Fellow of Institution of Engineers (India) and Member of Institution of Mechanical Engineers (India). He is the Life Member of Aeronautical Society of India, and Vice Chairman, Indian National Society for Aerospace and Related Mechanisms (INSARM).

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PROMOTION

IRDE, Dehradun
Shri SP Gaba has been promoted as Scientist G w.e.f July 2008. Shri Gaba obtained his MSc (Physics) with first rank from the Garhwal University in 1978 and MPhil (Instrumentation) from the University of Roorkee (Now IIT, Roorkee) in 1979. He joined IRDE, Dehradun, as Sci B in 1981, and since then, he has been associated with the development of laser

range finders and designators for various roles. Laser range finders (LRFs) for Integrated Observation Equipment (IOE) and Gap Measuring Device (GMD) have been introduced into Service after various phases of trials. Shri Gaba is the recipient of DRDO Technology Award (1977) for significant contribution in development of indigenous LRF for IGMS for MBT Arjun. He has published/presented about 20 papers in various journals and conferences. He is Life Member of Indian Laser Association, Optical Society of India, and Instrument Society of India.

SUPERANNUATION

ARDE, Pune
Shri Surendra Kumar, Outstanding Scientist, superannuated on 31 January 2009 as Director, ARDE, Pune. Born on 9 January 1949, graduated in Aeronautical Engineering from IIT, Kharagpur, in 1972. He obtained Masters in Aeronautical Engineering with specialisation in Rockets and Missiles from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, in 1974. He started his career with the development of Indias first LP Engine at Liquid Propulsion division of DRDL in 1974. His contributions helped in realising the technologies for the new generation missiles. He as Deputy Project Director, was instrumental in delivering the first indigenously developed missile, Prithvi to the Army. The capability of the system demanded applications for Air Force and Navy, which were promptly delivered under his able leadership. Ho has been on continuous upgradation of knowledge, and today, he is identified as an expert in missile technology. In addition to developing multiple types of warheads, he conceptualised and designed a new warhead test vehicle, a missile by itself, and conducted more than 30

08

dynamic trials, thus saving crores of rupees to the exchequer which otherwise would have warranted firing 30 missiles to test the warheads. He has been conferred with the Agni Award for Performance Excellence (2006) for successful development and induction of the composite warheads in a record short period of time. Identifying his techno-managerial capabilities, he was given the most challenging responsibility of developing advanced missile systems for Ballistic Missile Defence in the capacity of Project Director in 1998. He led the team of scientists in realising such systems that proved their accuracy in direct hit of incoming ballistic missiles in exo- and endatmospheric interception in 2006 and 2007, respectively. In recognition of his contribution to the nation, he has been twice conferred with DRDO Award for Performance Excellence Award in 1999 and 2005, and Best Scientist of the Year Award (2002). He was awarded Scientist of the Year (2004). He has also been honoured with the prestigious DRDO Award for Path Breaking Research/Outstanding Technology Development (2006). An active sportsman with interest in adventurous sports spends his leisure time in reading books and listening to music. He is an active member of many professional institutions like Aeronautical Society of India, Astronautical Society of India, Indian Association of Quality and Reliability etc.

March 09

AWARD

India Today Woman of the Year Award

Smt Tessy Thomas, a leading scientist from Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), Hyderabad, and often called the Missile Woman, has been awarded the prestigious India Today Woman of the Year Award on 6 February 2009 for making a difference with her work for the nation. Smt Thomas has been working on the Agni missiles and in the main architect of the guidance systems which enable these missiles to reach the distant

targets accurately. She has made major contributions in Agni-1, Agni-2 and Agni-3 missiles. She is currently leading the development of an advanced version of Agni missile with many improvements and innovations. Smt Thomas joined DRDO in 1987 as Sci B after obtaining her BTech in Electrical Engineering in 1985 and ME in Guided Missile Technology. She worked in many pioneering areas of missiles in mission design, guidance

and control, inertial navigation and trajectory simulation. An energy management guidance scheme was designed and developed for the first time in the country for an all-solidpropelled long-range system. She was awarded with Agni Award for Excellence in Self-Reliance (2001), and DRDO Award for Path Breaking Research/Outstanding Technology Development (2007).

Patents Granted
CFEES, Delhi
The following three patents have been granted by Indian Patent Office, New Delhi, to Scientists and Staff of the Centre of Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES), Delhi, wef 2002. Fire Protective Fabric for Fire Proximity Suit and a Process for Preparation Thereof (Patent No. 221667). Fire Protective Composite Fabric for Fire Approach Suit and a Process for Preparation Thereof (Patent No. 221668). The inventors for both the above patents are Shri Rajpal Singh, Shri Praveen Rajput, and Shri Gautam Prakash Kashyab. A Process for Producing Potable Water (Patent No. 221708). Inventors are Shri Kshipra Misra, Shri Satish Kumar, and Shri Vivek Kumar.

NPOL, Kochi
A patent on An Underwater Electro-Mechanical Connector (Patent No. 224234) has been granted by the Indian Patent Office, New Delhi. Shri K Ajithkumar Sci F, Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi, is the inventor. The patent is on the development of a product, Underwater Electro-mechanical Connector which finds extensive applications in towed array sonars and seismic array systems. The indigenously designed and developed connector can be used for underwater applications where the connectors have to experience dynamic towing loads and also withstand hydrostatic pressures due to depth of operation. The above patented design caters for high density electrical contact connector for both data and power transmissions.

DRL, Tezpur at Bharat Nirman Campaign

Dr MK Meghvansi, Sc C and Shri B Das, STA A of DRL, Tezpur, participated in Bharat Nirman (joint media campaign of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt of India and 5 Mountain Division, Tenga) held at Seppa, East Kameng District (Arunachal Pradesh) during 19-21 November, 2008. During this Campaign, various Products/Technologies of DRL were displayed in the Exhibition and information on the same was provided to the visitors. Exhibition was visited by several dignitaries including Gen (Retd) JJ Singh, Governor, Arunachal Pradesh, Brig Anil K Gupta, Dy GOC, 5 Mtn Div; Brig PK Srivastava, Cdre Art, 5 Mtn Div; MLA, Seppa; Officers from Seppa District Administration, soldiers of 5 Mtn Div, and local people. Response of the visitors was overwhelming and they showed great interest and enthusiasm in knowing the products and technologies. All the dignitaries recognised and appreciated the efforts made by the DRL, Tezpur, in developing Products/Technologies for the Armed Forces and civil populace.

Gen (Retd) JJ Singh, Governor, Arunachal Pradesh showing keen interest in the DRL products.

March 09

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DRDO Golden Jubilee Student Competition

As part of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations, DRDO conducted a nationwide student-level competition for engineering students for the design/development of an innovative engineering product to nurture design engineering ideas of the student community. BE/BTech students in 3rd/4th year of engineering and ME/MTech students were eligible to participate. Theme for the innovative product is Deployable Low-cost Outdoor Surveillance System. Cash awards will be in two stages. In Stage-I, from among the entries received, 10 entries were selected by the Screening Committee. Cash prize of Rs 50,000/- and certificates were awarded to all 10 team. In Stage-II, the winners of Stage-I will have to submit the functional prototype along with detailed design report, which would be evaluated by the Screening Committee. The top two entries will be awarded with cash prizes of 3 lakh and 2 lakh respectively, and certificates. Teams selected in Stage-I who shall participate in the Stage-II of the DRDO Students Competition to do demonstration of their systems are: Thapar University, Patiala Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi Madras Institute of Technology, Anna University, Chennai Sri Ram Murti Smarak College of Engineering & Technology, Bareilly IIT Madras, Chennai NIT Surathkal, Karnataka Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Thandalam, Chennai Amity School of Engineering & Technology, Noida NIT, Silchar, Assam Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute, Matunga, Mumbai. The Stage-II demonstration trials are planned to be held in the first fortnight of April 2009.

March 09

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DRDO Golden Jubilee Quiz

DRDO Golden Jubilee Quiz was organised by Defence Science Forum as a part of the DRDO Golden Jubilee Celebrations. The competition was organised for all categories of DRDO Admin/Finance/Stores & Allied Staff/Employees (Non-Gazetted Officers). Multiple -choice questions based on current awareness and DRDO products/services/technologies/manpower/basic rules were included in the questionnaire. More than 1500 participated in the competition. Top 12 winners across the DRDO labs/estts in the country were quizzed by DSF members via telephone on 9 January 2009 to finalise the first 3 ranks. The winners of the quiz are: Shri Santosh Kumar Choudhury, AAA, Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad Shri Ritesh Ranjan, Hindi Asst, Integrated Test Range, Chandipur Hav/Clk Kadlag Santosh, Integrated Test Range, Chandipur and Mr Ram Singh, STA B, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Delhi To thank the overwhelming participation by the Non-Gazetted Staff of DRDO, and to award the prizes to winners of the quiz, Defence Science Forum organised a special programme, Life with Humour by Haasya Kavi Shri Surender Sharma on 13 January 2009 at Bhagavantam Auditorium, Metcalfe House, Delhi. Shri M Natrajan, SA to RM, distributed the awards to the winners of the Quiz on behalf of DRDO. The award includes a cash prize and a certificate.

Shri M Natarajan, SA to RM, distributing award to the winners of quiz.

A view of the audience; (Inset) Shri Surender Sharma.

DRDO Day Celebrations

NPOL, Kochi
overview of the major contributions and commitments with a futuristic outlook. The unique event of the day was a special booster session on Invention-to-innovation in which Shri Sabu Sebastian made a presentation on Commercialisation of defence technologies-NPOL efforts so far which was followed by the presentations on commercialisation possibilities for some of the products/inventions developed by NPOL.

RCI, Hyderabad
Shri S Ananthanarayanan, Director, NPOL addressing the gathering.

Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi, celebrated DRDO Day on 1 January 2009 with a plethora of programmes which added new dimensions to the event. The programme started with a recitation of SA to RMs New Year Message. Shri S Ananthanarayanan, Director, NPOL, addressed the gathering, highlighting significant achievements and progress in the previous year and the future plans for 2009. The Group Heads presented New Technologies developed in 2008 which was an

Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, celebrated DRDO Day on 1 January 2009. Shri K Rama Sharma, Sci G, DOMS, RCI in his welcome address spoke about importance of DRDO Day. The Technology Directors of various Directorates of RCI presented achievements in 2008 and goals for 2009 in their areas of work. Shri SK Ray, DS and Director, RCI presided over the function. He wished New Year Greetings to all scientists and staff. He congratulated RCI community for its achievements in 2008 and success in all flight trials of AD, BrahMos, Akash, Nag, and K-15. He emphasised on better utilisation of RCI resources for timely completion of various missile projects. He also presented mementos to winners of DRDO Central Zone Carrom Tournament.

SPORTS
Cycle Rally
Adventure Club, Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), Avadi, organised a cycle rally to Tirupathi and back during 2-5 January 2009 as part of DRDOs Golden Jubilee Celebrations. A contingent comprising 22 personnel drawn from DRDO labs/estts, from all zonal labs such as CVRDE, HEMRL, ARDE, VRDE, DMRL, DRDL and DCVE participated in the cycle rally. The Rally was flagged-off by Shri R Shankar, Director of Combat Vehicles & Engineering and President, DRDO Sports Board, New Delhi, on 2 January 2009 in the august presence of Shri S Sundaresh, Director, CVRDE and Shri R Jayakumar, Associate Director, CVRDE. The flag-off Ceremony was attended by one and all of CVRDE. The objective of the rally was to create awareness among the public about CVRDE and DRDO which is engaged in design, development of tracked armoured fighting vehicles and strives towards enhancing self-reliance in Defence Systems required by the Services. The participants in the rally returned to CVRDE to an arousing reception by all CVRDE employees and the valedictory function was held on 5 January 2009.

Shri S Sundaresh, Director, CVRDE, flagging-off cycle race.

March 09

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Participation in Exibition (Kosamba-2009)

Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Chandipur participated in the Balasore Zilla Mahotsav (Kosamba2009) at Police Line Field, Balasore, during 17-20 January 2009. Weapons like Ajay Tank, 155 mm Bofors Gun, 130 mm Field Gun and 105 mm IFG were displayed. Important instruments like Doppler radar, drello light barrier, burst time measuring system, oscilloscope with piezo gauge system, GPS system, high speed SVR camera, CCTV and different survey instruments were displayed for the visitors. Video presentation on activities and achievements of PXE and DRDO were shown through LCD projector. About 20 officers and staff of PXE under the leadership of Dr AK Sannigrahi, Scientist E were present to explain and demonstrate those weapons and instruments to interested audience. A large number of audience visited daily to PXE stall and Weapon circle with keen interest.

Visitors are seeing Tank displayed by PXE

Visits to DRDO Labs/Estts

DLRL, Hyderabad
Dr SC Pandey, Addl FA (P) & JS on 15 January 2009. Director, PXE briefed him about different activities related to test and evaluation of various armament stores. He witnessed the dynamic firing at Proof Range and appreciated the stateof-the-art instrumentation facilities available at PXE.

HEMRL, Pune
Maj Gen PVK Menon, MG AOC, HQ (Northern Command) (ORD) on 15 January 2009.

Shri G Boopathy, Director, DLRL, briefing Dr SC Pandey on various ongoing projects.

PXE, Chandipur
Sri MA Kharabela Swain, Member of Parliament of Balasore on 12 January 2009. Maj Gen Anoop Malhotra,
Maj Gen PVK Menon evincing keen interest in the exibits.