SOURCE: AFI
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has partnered with Hyderabad-based Rathi Aerospace Labs to develop a gas generator-based actuation system for its Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) program, marking a significant advancement in India’s precision-guided munitions technology. The collaboration focuses on a low-temperature gas generator operating at 150°C, a breakthrough innovation that promises to enhance the reliability and efficiency of the SAAW while offering broader applications across defense and aerospace sectors.
The SAAW, developed by the DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad with support from other DRDO labs and the Indian Air Force (IAF), is a 125 kg-class precision-guided bomb designed to neutralize enemy airfields, runways, bunkers, and aircraft hangars from a standoff range of 100 km. First tested successfully in May 2016, the SAAW has since been approved for procurement by the IAF and Indian Navy, with production underway following trials in 2020. The weapon’s lightweight design, coupled with satellite navigation and an electro-optical seeker, makes it a critical asset for India’s airpower, enabling strikes on high-value targets without risking aircraft or pilots.
Rathi Aerospace Labs, a startup specializing in innovative aerospace solutions, is contributing to the SAAW program by developing a gas generator-based actuation system. Unlike traditional actuation systems that rely on compressors or gas bottles, Rathi’s design is a standalone system, eliminating the need for external components. This simpler design reduces complexity, weight, and maintenance requirements, making it ideal for integration into precision-guided munitions like the SAAW. The gas generator produces high-pressure gas to drive mechanical actions—such as deploying control surfaces or releasing the weapon—ensuring precise and reliable operation during flight.
What sets Rathi’s technology apart is its ability to operate at a remarkably low temperature of 150°C, a significant improvement over conventional gas generators that often function at much higher temperatures, posing risks of thermal stress or damage to sensitive components. This low-temperature gas generator, recognized for its innovation, recently earned Rathi Aerospace Labs the prestigious DRDO Dare to Dream 4.0 award, presented by Honorable Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh in late 2024. The award, part of DRDO’s initiative to foster innovation among startups and MSMEs, underscores the potential of Rathi’s technology to revolutionize defense applications.
The low-temperature gas generator offers multiple advantages for the SAAW program. Its standalone nature reduces the weapon’s logistical footprint, as there’s no need for additional systems like compressors or gas bottles, which can be cumbersome and prone to failure in combat scenarios. The simpler design also enhances reliability, a critical factor for a weapon deployed in high-stakes missions where failure is not an option. Additionally, the low operating temperature minimizes thermal signatures, potentially improving the SAAW’s stealth characteristics by reducing detectability by infrared sensors—a key advantage in contested airspace.
Beyond the SAAW, Rathi’s gas generator technology holds promise for a wide range of defense and aerospace applications. In aerospace, it could be used for satellite deployment mechanisms, emergency ejection systems, or control surface actuation in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In defense, the technology could power missile control systems, rocket motor igniters, or even emergency systems in armored vehicles. The versatility of the low-temperature gas generator aligns with DRDO’s broader goal of developing modular, scalable technologies that can be adapted across platforms, reducing costs and development timelines.
This collaboration exemplifies India’s growing emphasis on public-private partnerships in defense innovation. Rathi Aerospace Labs, with its lean team and agile approach, complements the DRDO’s vast expertise and infrastructure, accelerating the development of cutting-edge solutions. The Dare to Dream 4.0 award not only validates Rathi’s innovation but also highlights the DRDO’s commitment to nurturing startups, a key pillar of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. As DRDO Chairman Sameer V. Kamat recently noted, achieving 90% self-reliance in defense production by 2029 hinges on such collaborations, which bring fresh perspectives and technologies to the table.
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