1. DRDO test fire indigenous Vertical Launch Short Range surface-to-air missile
Tags: Science and Technology
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy successfully flight tested Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) on 23 August.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The missile was test fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.
The flight test was conducted from an Indian Navy ship against a high speed unmanned aerial target.
During the test launch, flight path and vehicle performance parameters were monitored using flight data captured by various instruments such as Radar, Electro-Optical Tracking System (EOTS), and Telemetry System deployed by ITR, Chandipur.
Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) :
It is a ship-borne weapon system capable of neutralising various airborne threats at close range, including sea-skimming targets.
The strategy of sea skimming is used by various anti-ship missiles and some fighter aircraft to avoid detection by radar on warships.
They fly very close to the ocean surface and thus are difficult to detect and neutralise.
Design of VL-SRSAM Missile :
This missile is indigenously designed and developed by DRDO.
Its design is based on Astra missile which is a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missile.
Astra is India's first air-to-air missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Main features of VL-SRSAM Missile :
It has two key features - cruciform wings and thrust vectoring.
The cruciform has four small wings arranged like a cross on all four sides and provides a stable posture to the projectile.
Thrust vectoring, on the other hand, helps to change the angular velocity from its engine and the direction of thrust that controls the missile.
The missile weighs 154 kg and its length is about 12.6 feet.
It is designed to strike high-speed air targets at a range of 40 to 50 km and at an altitude of about 15 km.
2. DRDO successfully test-fires indigenously developed laser-guided Anti-Tank Guided Missiles
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
India on 4 August successfully test fired the indigenously developed laser-guided anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra.
Important facts
The ATGM was test-fired from Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjuna by DRDO and Indian Army in collaboration with Armored Corps Center and School (ACC&S) at KK Range.
The missiles struck with precision and successfully destroyed targets at two different ranges.
The telemetry system has recorded satisfactory flight performance of the missiles.
The ATGM has been developed with multi-platform launch capability and is currently undergoing technical trials with the 120 mm rifled gun of MBT Arjun.
This indigenous anti-tank guided missile is fitted with a Tandem High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) weapon, which is capable of destroying armoured vehicles with state-of-the-art Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA).
Earlier in June, the DRDO and the Indian Army successfully test-fired an indigenously built tank destroyer missile at the KK range in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra.
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
3. Former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam's 7th Death Anniversary
Tags: Person in news
July 27, 2022 is the seventh death anniversary of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who was the 11th President of India.
Important facts
He was born on 15th October 1931 at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu.
He graduated in Science from St Joseph's College, Trichy in 1954 and specialized in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1957.
He is known as the "Missile Man of India" for his contribution to the country's space programme.
He played a key role in the Pokhran-II nuclear tests of 1998.
Dr Kalam had received seven honorary doctorates from 40 universities.
He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1981 and Padma Vibhushan in 1990 for his significant work with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
He was awarded the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna in 1997.
He made a significant contribution as the Project Director to develop India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3), which successfully injected the Rohini satellite into Near-Earth Orbit in July 1980.
He took the responsibility of developing indigenous guided missiles at DRDO.
He was the chief executive of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP).
He was sworn in as the 11th President of India in 2002 and completed his term in 2007.
He died of cardiac arrest on July 27, 2015, while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Shillong.
4. Ministry of Defence sets up an Apex Committee for Performance and Efficiency Audit
Tags: Economy/Finance
The Ministry of Defence has set up an institutional mechanism consisting of an Apex Committee with the Defence Secretary as the Chairperson to conduct Performance and Efficiency Audit in various aspects of its activities on 15th July.
Members of the committee
Vice Chiefs of the three Services, Secretary Defence (Finance), Chief of Integrated Staff Committee (CISC), Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA), Director General (Acquisition) and other senior officials of Ministry of Defence and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Important facts
This is a major change from the existing transaction-based compliance audit to an outcome-based performance/efficiency audit aimed at increasing overall efficiency.
The broad areas that have been identified for conducting performance and efficiency audits include role and performance of Defense Capital Procurement, Provisioning, Logistics, Inventory Level, Asset Maintenance, Authority Holding Sealed Statement (AHSP) etc.
5. New Manufacturing Facilities at Bharat Dynamics Limited Dedicated to the Nation
Tags: Defence National News
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh dedicates to the nation new manufacturing facilities at Bharat Dynamics Limited, Bhanur.
Rajnath Singh visited the Bhanur Unit of Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Telangana on July 2, 2022.
During his visit he dedicated to the Nation a number of new manufacturing facilities set up by the Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU).
These include the Warhead Facility at Bhanur Unit and Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker Facility at Kanchanbagh Unit.
Rajnath Singh also unveiled a statue of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi in the BDL campus.
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
It is a Government of India Enterprise under the Ministry of Defence.
It was established in Hyderabad in the year 1970.
It manufactures guided missiles and allied defence equipment for the Indian Armed Forces.
It has been working in collaboration with DRDO and foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
6. DRDO carries out maiden flight of unmanned combat aircraft
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully carried out the maiden flight of the Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator from the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka on July 1.
The aircraft performed a complete flight, including take-off, way point navigation and touchdown.
The flight was conducted in a fully autonomous mode.
It is designed and developed by the Bengaluru-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a premier research laboratory under the DRDO.
The unmanned fighter aircraft is powered by a small, turbofan engine.
The vehicle's airframe, as well as its undercarriage, flight control and avionics systems, were indigenously developed.
The program is associated with the development of India's fifth generation stealth fighter Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft or AMCA.
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
7. 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.
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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.
