SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is putting the LCA-Tejas Mk1A fighter jet through its paces in a critical airframe fatigue testing program. This initiative, launched in 2022 at the newly established Main Airframe Fatigue Test (MAFT) facility in Bengaluru, is designed to ensure the aircraft’s structural integrity and longevity.
The MAFT program involves subjecting a Tejas Mk1 airframe to simulated flight conditions that accelerate the ageing process. This is achieved by meticulously replicating the stresses and strains experienced by the aircraft during various maneuvers. Over eight to nine years, the test airframe will endure an equivalent of 8,000 hours of flight time – a significantly higher rate than actual operations, which typically involve around 200 hours per year.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Navy is actively supporting the development of Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (XLUUVs) as a key tool for safeguarding the vast Indian Ocean region. These advanced underwater drones hold immense potential for underwater surveillance and strategic missions.
The Navy anticipates deploying nearly two dozen XLUUVs to patrol the Indian Ocean seabed, with a prime focus on detecting Chinese submarines operating in the region.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is pushing forward with the development of its indigenous Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE-25). This engine, designed for a thrust of 25 kN, has the potential to power a variety of aircraft, including trainer jets, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), light combat aircraft, and even regional jets.
The inauguration of a new design and test facility at HAL’s Aero Engine Research & Development Centre (AERDC) in December 2023 marked a significant step towards accelerating the HTFE-25 program. This state-of-the-art facility houses advanced equipment and testing capabilities, aiming to expedite the engine’s development cycle.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Following the reported success of Israel’s Arrow defense systems in repelling a recent Iranian missile and drone attack, the technology is attracting renewed interest from potential buyers. However, this comes with echoes of a past roadblock for India.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the developer of Arrow systems, has seen a surge in interest from countries seeking to bolster their missile defense capabilities. IAI’s CEO attributes this to the system’s apparent effectiveness in thwarting a major attack.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Competence Exports Private Limited (CEPL), a company based in Hajipur, Bihar, is carving a niche for itself in the international market. They’re achieving this by catering to two distinct segments: safety shoes for the demanding needs of the Russian army and fashionable footwear for European markets.
Shiv Kumar Roy, General Manager of CEPL, explains their vision: “We established our Hajipur facility in 2018, focusing on generating local employment. Here, we manufacture safety shoes specifically designed for export to Russia. These shoes prioritize lightweight construction, slip resistance, and the ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, including temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius.”
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
On May 18, 1974, the ground shook in the Pokhran desert of Rajasthan, India. A successful nuclear detonation marked India’s entry into the world’s most exclusive club – the nations possessing nuclear weapons. Codenamed “Smiling Buddha” in a deliberate irony, the test was a calculated move by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s government.
Facing declining popularity, Gandhi seized the opportunity to rally the nation. The timing of the test, coinciding with the birthday of Buddha, a symbol of peace, further emphasized India’s stated goal of using nuclear power for peaceful purposes only. However, the international community remained skeptical.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
IIT Madras is taking innovation to new heights with its incubator program. A startup based at the institute, ePlane Company, is developing India’s first electric flying taxi, showcasing the growing potential of Indian incubators to nurture groundbreaking ideas.
This exciting project isn’t just a local development – it’s a sign of India’s rising status as a global innovation hub. With ambitious incubators like IIT Madras at the forefront, the country is shedding the image of lacking homegrown innovators.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The Defence Ministry on Saturday refuted reports of a DRDO-installed Chinook Helicopter Model from Lucknow going missing. Defence Ministry spokesperson Bharat Bhushan Babu has clarified that Chinook is made by Boeing and “DRDO has never installed any Helicopter Model at Lucknow anytime.” It also said that Defence Expo 2020 was an incident-free exhibition and no product or model went missing during its conduct.
“News circulating about a @DRDO_India installed Chinook Helicopter Model at Lucknow during DefExpo 2020 missing, is misleading. Chinook is made by Boeing and @DRDO_India has never installed any Helicopter Model at Lucknow anytime.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
With India’s interests growing across expanding strategic horizons, it is essential for the armed forces to be “alive to our responsibility”, not only in the security domain, but also towards contributing to the nation’s growth, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande said on Friday.
In his address at the second Lt Gen P S Bhagat Memorial Lecture hosted at Manekshaw Centre here, he described the legendary officer, who was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, as a visionary who was ahead of his times.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
India will train Maldivian pilots to fly Dornier aircraft if Male requests to New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday. While addressing a media briefing, Jaiswal called capacity building an important component in defence and security engagement between India and Maldives.
Asked about the Maldivian Defence Minister’s recent remarks that their pilots do not know how to fly Dornier aircraft and if the issue was raised during a meeting between foreign ministers of two nations, Jaiswal stated, “Capacity building is an important component in our defence and security engagement with the Maldives. We have in the past trained their personnel on the defence side. And if we receive a request for training of pilots, if this request is made, we will be happy to take it forward.”
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The United States conducted a subcritical nuclear test at Nevada earlier this week, according to a statement released by the US Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. The experiment, the third under the administration of President Joe Biden, was carried out on Tuesday to collect “essential data” regarding the country’s nuclear warheads, according to the National Nuclear Security Administration.
The experiment was the first in the Nimble series, executed at the Principal Underground Laboratory for Subcritical Experimentation (PULSE) facility in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The NNSA, an arm of the US Energy Department, said it relies on subcritical tests to support the safety and effectiveness of nuclear warheads, without the use of nuclear explosive testing.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The Shiromani Akali Dal on Saturday came out with its poll manifesto and said it will seek transfer of Kartarpur Sahib from Pakistan to India through mutual land exchange between the two countries.
After releasing his party’s manifesto for the June 1 Lok Sabha polls in Punjab, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said his party makes a commitment to renew the fight for the inclusion of Chandigarh and other Punjabi speaking areas left out of the state.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Terrorists struck at two places in Kashmir on Saturday night, killing a former sarpanch in Shopian and injuring a tourist couple from Rajasthan in Anantnag, two days ahead of Lok Sabha elections in Baramulla.
The first attack took place on an open tourist camp near Pahalgam and the second on the former sarpanch at Hirpora in south Kashmir, officials said “Terrorists fired upon and injured a woman, Farha, a resident of Jaipur (in Rajasthan) and her spouse Tabrez at Yannar in Anantnag. The injured were evacuated to a hospital for treatment. The area has been cordoned off. Further details shall follow,” the Kashmir Zone Police posted on X.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Maoist, who was wanted in connection with 16 cases and carried a bounty of ? 1 lakh on his head, was killed in an encounter with the police in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Saturday, an official said.
The gunfight took place around 6.30 am in the forest near Banjarpara village under Polampalli police station limits, where a team of police personnel was out on an anti-Naxal operation, the official said. The operation was launched on Friday night based on inputs about the presence of senior Maoists, including the secretary of the Konta area committee of Maoists, Vetti Mangdu, and area command-in-chief Hitesh, along with 15-20 cadres in forests of Tolnai, Tetrai, Banjarpara, and Arlampalli villages, he said.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
A 25-year-old man has been arrested here for allegedly shouting slogans in support of Pakistan, police said on Saturday. Faizaan alias Faizal Khan (25) was arrested on a complaint filed by some Bajrang Dal activists after a video purportedly showing him chanting slogans like ‘Pakistan zindabad’ went viral, an official said.
“We arrested him yesterday under section 153-B (promoting disharmony and hatred between different religious, racial, linguistic or regional groups) of the Indian Penal Code,” said inspector Manishraj Bhadauriya of Misrod police station. The accused runs a puncture repair shop, he said.
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