Archive For September, 2018

New copters to enable tech transfer

The Defence Ministry is shortly expected to release project-specific implementation guidelines for the 111 naval utility helicopters to be procured under the Strategic Partnership (SP) model. However, foreign companies say there is still some clarity required on crucial legal, liability and technology transfer issues. “There are two important issues that need clarity. One is legal. […]

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In a first, LCA naval variant lands on warship deck

The Light Combat Aircraft’s (LCA) naval variant landed on the deck of warship INS Hansa in Goa, said its maker Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). “LCA Navy (NP2) undertakes maiden taxi-in engagement to prove arrestor hook system of aircraft at sea-bed test facility Goa,” tweeted Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. “This is the first of a series of engagements planned to prove the arrestor […]

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Defence Ministry throws 11 challenges at start-ups

Defence Minister Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the Defence India Startup Challenge, an initiative to tap startups for finding safe and futuristic Indian solutions to critical needs of the three Armed Forces. Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman released a list of 11 technologies that the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force need, to begin with. They included […]

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Bengaluru: HAL chief flies LCA

HAL CMD T. Suvarna Raju flew the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas from the HAL Airport on. The twin-seat variant of LCA (PV5) was piloted by Group Captain K.K. Venugopal, HAL’s Chief Test Pilot. In a thrilling set of manoeuvres, the aircraft climbed to 30,000 feet and accelerated to supersonic speed of 1.1 Mach. This […]

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We averted a possible debacle: ISRO chairman

Indian Space Research Organisation could have faced a ?1200-crore debacle in space had it not brought GSAT-11 back from the Guiana launch port in late April, its Chairman K. Sivan said .Speaking for the first time on issues raised about the 5,700-kg high throughput satellite, he justified ISRO’s unprecedented decision to recall the satellite midway […]

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New Year to mark grand launch of Chandrayaan-2 mission

Missing its deadline to launch Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2018, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) hopes to begin the New Year on a grander note by tentatively considering the launch window on 3rd January. Scheduled to have been launched by now, the mission has undergone a lot of changes in its design and configuration. Confirming […]

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‘Massive Army reform under way’

Defence Minister Ms Nirmala Sitharaman, in her first address to the armed forces on the eve of Independence Day, highlighted the government’s efforts to reform the Army in a big way. “In a first ever exercise after Independence, the Ministry of Defence in consultation with the Indian Army has decided to reform the Indian Army […]

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Chandrayaan-1 data confirms presence of ice on Moon: NASA

Scientists have found frozen water deposits in the darkest and coldest parts of the Moon’s polar regions using data from the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft that was launched by India 10 years ago, NASA said. With enough ice sitting at the surface — within the top few millimetres — water would possibly be accessible as a resource […]

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Iran unveils ‘first’ domestic fighter jet

Iran unveiled what it said was its “first” domestic fighter jet, with President Hassan Rouhani insisting that Teheran’s military strength was only designed to deter enemies and create “lasting peace” Images on state television showed Mr Rouhani sitting in the cockpit of the new “Kowsar” fourth-generation fighter at the National Defence Industry exhibition in Teheran. […]

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ISRO awaits advanced materials

A national effort is needed to develop and produce advanced materials to drive the future space programme, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman Dr K. Sivan has said. Along with high propulsion systems for its launch vehicles, the ISRO is pursuing materials that have extraordinary properties, such as aluminium and beryllium alloys and carbon nanotubes. […]

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