DRDO, ATAGS - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

ANSWER: Muntra

Explanation:
Government agency Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed India's first unmanned tank that can remotely operate and has named it ‘Muntra’.

The agency has developed the tank in three different variants to tackle any kind of situation- for surveillance, another for mine detection and a third variant for reconnaissance in areas with nuclear and bio threats.

The tank which is a first of its kind in the country has been developed and tested by Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Avadi for the army.

The paramilitary has expressed its interest in using them in the areas that have been affected by the Naxals.

Recently two vehicles that have been designed like an armoured tank were recently displayed at the Science for Soldiers exhibition that was organised by DRDO as a tribute to former President APJ Abdul Kalam, who was also known as the Missile Man of India.

During the testing of the vehicle, it was found that its surveillance radar that includes an integrated camera can be used to spy on targets that are 15 km away.

More about the variants of the unmanned tank ‘Muntra’-

Muntra S – This variant has been developed to carry out unmanned surveillance missions.

Muntra M – This variant has been developed for detecting mines.

Muntra N – This variant will be deployed in areas where nuclear radiation or the risk of bio weapons is high.

The tanks have been tested and validated at Mahajan field firing range in Rajasthan.

The Muntra tanks have surveillance radar, an integrated camera along with laser range finder, which can be used to spy on ground target about 15 kilometres away.

Besides heavy weights, the DRDO also showcased a few inventions like a handheld wall penetration radar which if placed on a wall will project on a screen the presence of people inside a building.

DRDO is now working on installing AWAC (Airborne Early Warning and Control System) on an A330 aircraft.

The system is now perfected for use on a smaller Embraer plane.

ANSWER: Chitradurga Karnataka

Explanation:
Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) is the first of its kind range that has been set up by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), one of the premier laboratories of the DRDO.

ADE works on a range of UAVs (unmanned air vehicles). The facility will be an integrated test centre for a cluster of DRDO’s aeronautical laboratories.

The following labs will make use of the testing facility: the Centre for Air Borne Systems, the Gas Turbine Research Establishment, the Defence Avionics Research Establishment, the Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification, all of which are based in Bengaluru, and finally the Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment, which is based in Agra.

The facility is meant to conduct flight-tests of indigenous unmanned and manned aircrafts such as naval and trainer versions of the Light Combat Aircraft, the unmanned air vehicles- Rustom-I and Rustom-II (Tapas); the Airborne Early Warning & Control Systems (AEW&C), Air-to-Ground weapons, parachutes and aerostats, etc.

Karnataka, especially Bengaluru, and its tech ecosystem not only leads India, but is a leader on the global horizon.

Technology companies and their facilities located in Bengaluru are helping us create new facilities in other places in the country.

DRDO indicated the ATR, sprawling 4,090 acres, was built at a cost of INR 290 crore.

The ATR campus has 31 buildings and a 2.2km runway that can be expanded to 3km to help larger aircraft land and take off.

It has two hangers to house UAVs, radar centre, fibre-optic network, and a separate residential complex on 200 acres.

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has signed a technology transfer agreement with Jindal Stainless (Hisar) Ltd. (JSHL) for manufacturing high nitrogen steel (HNS).

The steel alloy has significant applications in the defence sector, but currently the country is mostly dependent on imports.

HNS has higher ballistic strength and is not only tough but also has good strength.

It is non-magnetic and corrosion-resistant.

It costs about 40% less than that of rolled homogenous armour steel (RHA).

Its domestic production will further the Indian Army’s quest for lighter armouring material.

HNS: Know More

• HNS is corrosion resistant and provides exceptional ballistic and blast protection than the existing material.
• This is at a much reduced thickness along with longevity which increases the fuel and mass efficiency.
• It exhibits higher energy absorption.
• Aim is to launch additional variants of HNS with enhanced blast and ballistic protection to cater to niche requirements of the defence sector.
• HNS passed ballistic tests in different calibers with 8-10 times higher impact and blast protection.
• It has potential application in all armoured vehicles, including infantry combat vehicle (ICV), light speciality vehicle (LSV), light armoured multi-purpose vehicle (LAMV), futuristic infantry combat vehicle (FICV), main battle tank (MBT), future ready combat vehicle (FRCV), aviation and naval systems.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
Defence Research and Development Organisation has signed an MoU with IIT-B and M to establish a bi nodal Centre of Propulsion Technology.

• MoA was signed to achieve synergy between DRDO and IITs for channeling research efforts and advanced collaborative research in areas of critical defence technologies.
• CoPT will facilitate and undertake multidisciplinary directed research in the following areas:
• futuristic aero engines,
• hypersonic propulsion for long duration flights,
• solid propellant combustion modelling
• morphing aircraft technologies.

ANSWER: 4th

Explanation:
Tejas is a 4th generation fighter aircraft indigenously developed in a nation after technology gap of two decades of HF Marut by DRDO.

• It was developed by LCA Tejas team at ADA, an autonomous DRDO society.
• LCA attained close to 3200 flights, testifying to the reliability of the aircraft and its smooth race towards achieving FOC following attainment of IOC in December 2013
• Action for induction of Tejas into IAF had been initiated
• IAF has placed an order in 2006 for 20 Tejas aircraft in IOC configuration and another 20 aircraft in FOC configuration in 2010

ANSWER: Varunastra

Explanation:
Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar handed over Varunastra- a ship launched heavyweight torpedo- also known as an underwater missile to the Indian Navy.

• Varunastra has been developed by NSTL, a premier DRDO laboratory based at Visakhapatnam.
• M/s Bharat Dynamics Ltd has been associated as a production partner in concurrent engineering mode.
• Varunastra, a versatile naval weapon which can be fired from the Rajput class destroyers, Delhi class and all future Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) ships capable of firing heavy weight torpedoes and is capable of targeting quiet and stealthy submarines both in deep and littoral waters even in intense countermeasure atmosphere.

ANSWER: National Technology Day

Explanation:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence celebrated National Technology Day, on May 11 which was organised by the Defence Science Forum. The day also saw release of a DRDO Technology Spectrum (compendium of innovative technological contributions/ methodologies of scientists). The function was attended by Directors, Scientists from DRDO Headquarters and Delhi based laboratories.

ANSWER: Both of the above

Explanation:
Recently, DRDO fired the following missiles:

• Medium Range Surface to Air Missile, Akash with a range of 25 km and Multi target handling capability.
• Supersonic Cruise Missile, BrahMos with a range of 290 km.
• Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) with range of 70 km.
• Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air-to-Air Missile, Astra with a range of 75 km.

ANSWER: Tejas

Explanation:
History has been created when the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas which has been indigenously designed and developed by DRDO touched the foreign soil at Bahrain’s Sakhir Airbase. For the first time, LCA Tejas has flown into foreign space to participate in the Bahrain International Airshow during 21 to 23 January 2016.

ANSWER: Dr. G S Reddy

Explanation:
GS Reddy is an eminent DRDO scientist known for leading the Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) programme.