DRDO also carries out successful flight test of indigenous Power Take-off Shaft conducted on Light Combat Aircraft Tejas
New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two consecutive successful flight tests of the ‘Very Short Range Air Defence System’ (VSHORADS) missile at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha today.
The flight tests were carried out from a ground-based man-portable launcher against high-speed unmanned aerial targets, mimicking approaching and receding aircraft. The targets were successfully intercepted, meeting all mission objectives.
VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) for neutralising low-altitude aerial threats at short ranges. It has been designed and developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian Industry Partners. The missile incorporates many novel technologies including Dual-band IIR Seeker, a miniaturised Reaction Control System and integrated avionics. The propulsion is provided by a dual-thrust solid motor.
Meanwhile, the DRDO also carried out a successful flight test of its indigenous Power Take-off Shaft conducted on Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Limited Series Production (LSP) – 3 aircraft in Bengaluru today. The PTO shaft, which is a critical component in the aircraft, will support the requirements of future fighter aircraft & their variants and offers competitive cost and reduced time of availability. With this successful test, the DRDO has achieved a greater technological feat by a realisation of complex high-speed rotor technology which only a few countries have achieved.
The PTO shaft was designed with a unique innovative patented ‘Frequency Spanning Technique’ which enables it to negotiate different operating engine speeds. The lightweight high-speed, lubrication-free PTO shaft transmits higher power between the aircraft engine gearbox and Aircraft Mounted Accessory Gear Box while accommodating misalignments that arise in the drive line.
Aeronautical Development Agency, Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification, Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited teamed along with CVRDE to achieve this feat. The PTO shaft technology has already been transferred to Godrej & Boyce, Mumbai and Lakshmi Technology and Engineering, Coimbatore.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented the DRDO, PSUs and the Industry, for the feat. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat also congratulated the teams.
– global bihari bureau
