DRDO to collaborate for future systems and aerospace vehicles

Bangalore, Feb 5 (UNI) Defence Research Development Organisation will initiate dialogue with leading aircraft designers and manufacturers at the Aero India 2007 beginning here on February seven for collaborations to design and develop future aerospace vehicles and systems.

Indicating this at the an International seminar on Aerospace Technologies here, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister V Natarajan said ''we are looking forward to meaningful discussions in the Aero India show with designers and manufacturers''.

Referring to more than 600 flights logged by indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft, without any incident he said LCA was clearly a leap from the HF 24 base of India. LCA was already evolving into its variants and had the potential to become an advanced jet trainer beyond Hawk.

ON DRDO's ambitious plan on the Unmanned Aerial Vehichle platforms, he said following the success of Lakshya and Nishant programmes, action had been taken to develop a medium and long endurance UAVs to be jointly developed with Indian partners. DRDO had already requested expression of interest from Indian industries to partner with the programme and expressed hope that Indian industries would cater to the needs of services for mini UAVs.

''We will support all our manned and uinmanned aicraft programmes with engineering simulation facilities and ground rigs to fix all the problems on ground, he added.

He said DRDO had identified key technology areas in aeronautics and keep focussed on emerging technologies such as new materials for single crystal blade, electro optic sensors and active electronically scanned array radar, BVR missiles, stealth, supercruise, EW systems and counter measure and pave the way for increased self reliance.

DRDO would also fund acadcemic institutions towards fundamental research on aspects of technology of relevance to aeronautics he added.

UNI