Current Affairs search results for: "DRDO"
By admin: June 27, 2022

1. VL-SRSAM: Successful Launch of Short Range Surface to Air Missile

Tags: Science and Technology

Recently Vertical Launched Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) was successfully flight tested from an Indian Naval Ship at Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha.

  • The test was conducted jointly by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy.

  • About VL-SRSAM -

  • The VL-SRSAM has been jointly designed and developed by three units of the Defence Research and Development Organisation for deployment on warships of the Indian Navy.

  • The missile has the capability to neutralise various airborne threats at close range including sea-skimming targets.

  • Sea skimming is a technique used by many anti-ship missiles and some fighter or strike aircraft to evade radar and infrared detection.

  • The missile is designed to strike high-speed air targets at a range of 40 to 50 km and an altitude of about 15 km.

  • Its design is based on the Astra missile, which is an air-to-air missile beyond visual range.

  • Features

  • Cruciform Wings: They are four small wings arranged like a cross on four sides and provide a stable aerodynamic position to the projectile.

  • Thrust vectoring: It is the ability to change the direction of thrust, angular velocity and position of the missile with its engine.

  • Thrust is the force that moves the aircraft through the air.

Canistered System: It controls the environment inside, thus making it easier to transport and store, and to make the weapon durable.

By admin: June 22, 2022

2. Sunil Chhetri becomes joint 5th highest goalscorer in international football history

Tags: Sports News

Indian men's football team captain Sunil Chhetri has become the joint fifth highest goalscorer in international football history.

  • Sunil Chhetri scored his 84th international goal against Hong Kong during the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup 2023 Qualifier and achieved the feat by equaling the record held by Real Madrid and Hungarian football legend Ferenc Puskas.

  • He is now behind only Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina's Lionel Messi among active footballers.

  • He is at number three after Ronaldo and Messi in the list of active footballers with international goals.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list of highest goalscorers in international football.

  • Top 5 International Goal Scorers in the World

  • Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 117 goals

  • Ali Dei (Iran) - 109 goals

  • Mokhtar Dahari (Malaysia) - 89 goals

  • Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 86 goals

  • Sunil Chhetri (India) and Ferenc Puskas (Hungary) - 84 goals

By admin: June 16, 2022

3. YSR Yantra Seva Scheme launched by Andhra Pradesh

Tags: Government Schemes State News

YSR Yantra Seva Scheme has been launched by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

  • About the Scheme

  • Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy started this scheme from the village of Chuttugunta.

  • Under this scheme, tractors and combine harvesters will be provided to the farmers at low rates.

  • The total cost of this scheme is 2016 crores.

  • The government will give a 40 percent subsidy on all machinery and loans will also be provided to the farmers.

  • Apart from this, it was also decided by the state government to set up custom hiring centres in the entire state.

  • In this program, an amount of Rs 175 crore was sent to the accounts of 5260 farmers under the Ritu Bharosa scheme.

  • The Andhra Pradesh government aims to set up a total of 10,750 YSR Yantra Seva Kendras (CHCs).

  • About Andhra Pradesh State 

  • Historically, Andhra Pradesh has been called the "Rice Bowl of India".

  • Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1 November 1956.

  • Kuchipudi is the most famous classical dance form of the state.

  • Capital- Amravati

  • Official language - Telugu

  • Governor- Biswa Bhushan Harichandan

  • Chief Minister- Jagan Mohan Reddy (Congress)

  • Legislative Assembly seats- 176

  • Rajya Sabha Seats - 11

  • Lok Sabha seats - 25

By admin: June 16, 2022

4. Ministry of Textile inaugurated the 'Lota Shop' at National Crafts Museum, New Delhi

Tags: National News

The Ministry of Textile inaugurated the 'Lota Shop' at National Crafts Museum, New Delhi on 14 June.

  • Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Limited (CCIC), popularly known as Central Cottage Industries Emporium, has opened 'Lota Shop'.

  • It displays the finest handicrafts, souvenirs, handicrafts and textiles based on the traditional craft forms of India.

  • It has immense potential to attract foreign tourists and buyers.

  • It will give a new direction to the handicrafts sector as well as the artisans in the light of the 'One Nation One Product' initiative launched by the Centre.

  • The centre is also working towards one district one product which will give impetus to the handicrafts sector as well as the artisans.

  • The museum provides accommodation facilities and also provides audio-visual facilities for the visitors.

  • What is One District One Product scheme?

  • It aims to realize the true potential of a district, promote economic development and generate employment and rural entrepreneurship.

  • The Ministry of Food Processing had entered into an agreement with NAFED to develop 10 brands into one district one product brand.

  • Of this, six brands have been launched till now.

  • All products will be available across NAFED markets, e-commerce platforms and leading retail stores across India.

  • It was launched by the Uttar Pradesh government in January, 2018, and was later adopted by the central government after seeing its success.

  • Its aim is to identify, promote and brand a product from one district.

By admin: June 16, 2022

5. Short-range ballistic missile Prithvi-II successfully tested

Tags: Popular Defence

India successfully launched the Prithvi-II short-range ballistic missile in the night on June 15 from an integrated test range at Chandipur in Odisha.

  • Prithvi-II Missile

  • It is an indigenously developed surface-to-surface missile, which has a range of about 250 km and can carry one tonne of payload.

  • It was developed by DRDO and first used by the Indian Air Force.

  • It is a proven system and is capable of hitting targets with a very high degree of accuracy.

  • The user training launch successfully validated all operational and technical parameters of the missile.

  • Prithvi Missiles of India

  • Prithvi missile is a tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile developed by DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

  • Prithvi was the first missile to be developed under this programme.

  • Three variants of Prithvi Missiles

  1. Prithvi-I - Army version -150 km range with a payload of 1,000 kg.

  2. Prithvi II – Air Force version 250-350 km range with a payload of 500 kg

  3. Prithvi III – Naval version 350 km range with a payload of 1,000 kg

  • The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)

  • It was started by the Government of India in 1982-83, it included the following projects -

  1. Prithvi - Short range surface to surface missile

  2. Trishul - Short range surface to air missile

  3. Aakash - Medium range surface to air missile

  4. Nag - Third generation anti-tank missile

  5. Agni-I -Agni missile was later separated from the IGMDP due to its strategic importance

By admin: June 7, 2022

6. Strategic missile Agni-4 successfully test fired

Tags: Science and Technology

India on 6 June successfully test-fired nuclear-capable long-range ballistic missile Agni-IV from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.

  • The test was part of the routine user training launch conducted under the aegis of Strategic Forces Command.

  • The launch of the missile recognized all the operational parameters as well as the reliability of the system.

  • This successful test reaffirms India's policy of having 'reliable minimum deterrence'.

  • In May 2022, India successfully test-fired an extended range version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from a Sukhoi fighter jet.

  • This was the first launch of the extended range version of the BrahMos missile from a Su-30MKI aircraft.

  • About Agni-IV Missile 

  • It is an intermediate range ballistic missile with a range of about 4,000 km.

  • It is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

  • It can carry a payload of 1,000 kg and can reach an altitude of 900 km.

  • The first flight test of Agni-4 took place on 10 December 2010.

  • The missile crashed into the sea soon after launch because of errors in its control system.

  • Features of Agni-IV Missile 

  • It is a two-stage, solid-fueled missile weighing 17,000 kg.

  • It is about 20 metres long and 1.2 metres in diameter at its lower stage.

  • Agni class of missiles

  • Agni I - Range of 700-800 km.

  • Agni II - Range more than 2000 km.

  • Agni III - Range of more than 2,500 Km.

  • Agni IV - Range is more than 3,500 km and can fire from a road mobile launcher

  • Agni V - The longest missile of the Agni series, with a range of over 5,000 km.

  • These missiles are built under Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

By admin: June 1, 2022

7. Astra Mk1: Govt places order for first indigenous BVR missile

Tags: Defence

The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with the Hyderabad-based public-sector Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) for supply of the Astra Mark-1, at a cost of Rs 2,971 crore, for deployment on fighter jets of the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. 

  • About Astra Mk-1 Missile

  •  It is a beyond visual range (BVR), air-to-air missile (AAM).

  • It has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and manufactured by Hyderabad-based Bharat Dynamics Limited.

  • The project was officially launched in the early 2000s.

  • It has a range of over 100 km and 20 km altitude.

  • It will be deployed on fighter jets like Indian Air Force's Sukhoi-30 MKI and Tejas and Navy's MiG-29K.

  • The contract worth Rs 2,971 crore for the Astra Mk1 will be completed in six years.

  • Currently, India imports similar missiles from Israel, Russia and a few other manufacturers.

  • The Astra Mk-1 has a range of about 110 km, the Mk-2 with a range of over 150 km is being developed and a longer range Mk-3 variant is being envisaged.

  • Strategic significance

  • The missile has been designed based on the requirements specified by the IAF for BVR as well as close-combat engagement.

  • Its capability provides large stand-off ranges to get fighter aircraft.

  • It can neutralise adversarial air assets without exposing them to unfavourable air defence measures.

  • It is technically and economically superior to many such imported missiles.

By admin: May 18, 2022

8. DRDO And Indian Navy Test-Fire New NASM-SR Missile

Tags: National Defence

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the indigenously developed “Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Short Range" or NASM-SR.

  • It was launched from Indian Navy helicopter Seaking 42B from DRDO‘s Interim Testing Range, Balasore in Odisha on 18 May 2022.

  • According to DRDO, the NASM-SR would be a 380 kilogram projectile with a maximum range of 55 kilometres that will be deployed to replace the previous Sea Eagle missiles on Indian Navy Sea King helicopters.

  • In a tweet, Indian Navy said, this firing is a significant step towards achieving self-reliance in niche missile technology and reaffirms the Indian Navy’s commitment to indigenization.

  • The Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Short Range has been developed in association with Defence Research and Development Organisation,

  • It is the first indigenous air-launched Anti-ship missile system for the Indian Navy.

  • The missile employed many new technologies, including an indigenously developed launcher for the helicopter, state-of-the-art navigation system and integrated avionics. 

  • Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):

  • It is a premier defence research and development agency under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

  • It aims to make India self-reliant in critical defence technology and systems.

  • It was set up in 1958.

  • Headquarters: New Delhi 

  • Chairman: G. Satheesh Reddy 

By admin: May 13, 2022

9. The extended range version of the air-to-air BrahMos missile was successfully launched

Tags: National Science and Technology

The extended range version of the air-to-air BrahMos missile was successfully launched from a Sukhoi-30 Mark-I fighter aircraft.

  • During the test, the missile hit the target accurately in the Bay of Bengal.

  • This was the first launch of the extended-range version of the BrahMos missile from a Sukhoi-30 Mark-I fighter aircraft.

  • The advanced version of this missile has a range of around 350 kms while the original missile had a range of around 290 kms.

  • Indian Defence Research Organisation (DRDO), Indian Navy, BAPL and HAL were involved in this test along with the Indian Air Force.

  • Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraf

  • The Sukhoi 30 MKI is the flagship fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

  • This fighter aircraft is made in collaboration with Russia's military aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi and India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

  • It was inducted into the Indian Air Force in the year 2002 and since 2004, they have been manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

  • This aircraft can attack at a distance of 3000 km.

  • About BrahMos missile  

  • BrahMos is a short-range ramjet, supersonic cruise missile.

  • It can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or even from land.

  • It has been jointly developed by Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation.

  • Brahmos is named after the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva river of Russia.

  • Features of BrahMos 

  • It can change course in the air and can also hit the moving target.

  • It can fly at a height of 10 metres and is not caught by radar.

By admin: May 3, 2022

10. DRDO successfully test-fired Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System

Tags: National Defence Science and Technology

The longest range indigenous artillery gun i.e. 155mm/52 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) was successfully test fired at Jaisalmer's Pokhran Firing Range (PFFR) from 26 April to 2 May 2022.

  • What is ATAGS ?

  • The Advanced Artillery Gun System Project is a modern 155 mm artillery gun developed by DRDO.

  • This gun is manufactured by Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems Limited.

  • It weighs 18 tonnes and has a firing range of 48 km.

  • The 155mm ATAGS developed by DRDO was first fired in 2016.

  • It took almost four years to develop the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System, the Indian Army currently has seven Advanced Towed Artillery Guns available.