SOURCE: PIB

Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) system was successfully flight-tested at around 0830 hrs on May 01, 2024 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. SMART is a next-generation missile-based light-weight torpedo delivery system, designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to enhance the anti-submarine warfare capability of the Indian Navy far beyond the conventional range of lightweight torpedo.

This canister-based missile system consists of several advanced sub-systems, namely two-stage solid propulsion system, electromechanical actuator system, precision inertial navigation system etc. The system carries advanced light-weight torpedo as payload along with parachute-based release system. 

SOURCE: ISRO

A recent study reveals evidence for enhanced possibility of water ice occurrence in the polar craters of the Moon. The study is carried out by the scientists of Space Applications Centre (SAC)/ISRO, in collaboration with researchers at IIT Kanpur, University of Southern California, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad (Chakraborty et al., 2024). It suggests that the amount of subsurface ice in the first couple of meters is about 5 to 8 times larger than the one at the surface in both poles.

As such, drilling on the moon to sample or excavate that ice will be primordial for future missions and long-term human presence. Moreover, the study also suggests that the extent of water ice in the northern polar region is twice that in the southern polar region. As for the origin of this ice, the study confirms the hypothesis that the primary source of subsurface water ice in the lunar poles is outgassing during volcanism in the Imbrian period. The results also conclude that the distribution of water ice is likely governed by Mare volcanism and preferential impact cratering.

SOURCE: PTI

The NewSpace India Limited has said that it will handle all the Indian Remote Sensing satellite data and products. It further said that Bhoonidhi will continue to be the data dissemination platform. “From May 1, 2024, all commercial activities with respect to IRS satellite data and products would be handled by #NSIL while Bhoonidhi ( shorturl.at/bPQ89) will continue to be the data dissemination platform,” the NSIL said in a post on ‘X’ on Tuesday.

“As per India’s Space Policy 2023, satellite data of 5m and coarser is now free and open for all users. Data finer than 5m (except DEM, merged, mosaicked & customized products,etc) is open and free for Government Entities and priced for NGEs,” it further said.

SOURCE: PTI

The United States is “regularly working” with India in its investigation into the allegations related to the plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US State Department official has said.

The remarks by US State Department Principal Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel came after The Washington Post, citing unnamed sources, named a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer in connection with the alleged plot to kill Pannun on American soil last year.

SOURCE: ANI

India’s senior-most military official, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Anil Chauhan, recently interacted with senior military leaders of 27 countries during the meeting of Chiefs of Defence hosted by US Indo-Pacific Command virtually.

The discussions were held on strengthening military-to-military relationships, common security issues and opportunities to foster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, in addition to reviewing the progress of agreed-upon objectives, according to Defence officials.

SOURCE: PTI

The destinies of India and Bangladesh are intertwined and the relationship between the two countries could be a valuable contributor to regional connectivity, Bangladeshi envoy Mustafizur Rahman said on Tuesday.

In an interactive session at a think-tank here, Rahman also said South Asia is one of the least integrated regions in the world and a “synergistic approach” could ensure regional integration.

SOURCE: IANS

The annual South Western Air Command (SWAC) Commanders’ Conference is scheduled at the Headquarters of the South Western Air Command in Gandhinagar from May 2 to May 3. The conference will gather all SWAC commanders, providing a unified platform for exchanging ideas and best practices from their respective stations.

Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari is expected to attend and will be accompanied by Neeta Chaudhari, President of the Air Force Families Welfare Association (Central).

SOURCE: PTI

A Special Task Force (STF) jawan involved in Tuesday’s encounter on the border of Narayanpur and Kanker districts of Chhattisgarh fought off not just Naxalites, but also a wild bear that attacked him. Constable Mangal Mandavi sustained bite injuries on his leg in the face-off with the wild animal, police said. He was shifted to Narayanpur in a helicopter on Wednesday morning and admitted to the district hospital, they said, adding that his condition is normal.

Ten Naxalites, including three women, were killed in the encounter that occurred in the forest between Tekmeta and Kakur villages in Abhujmad area, a Naxalite stronghold, on Tuesday when a joint team of the STF and the District Reserve Guard, both units of the state police, was out on an anti-Naxal operation. Talking to PTI, Mandavi said, during the exchange of fire, he and his colleagues were busy in action in the forest, surrounded by bamboo trees, when suddenly three bears came there from behind.

SOURCE: PTI

The Army was stopped from taking away the arms and ammunition they seized in Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Tuesday by women-led protestors, officials said.

During patrolling in the Kumbi area in the early hours, personnel of the Army’s 2 Mahar regiment intercepted two SUVs, they said. “On seeing the Army personnel, the occupants of the two vehicles fled, leaving behind their arms,” an official said.