Skip to main content

IIT MADRAS AT DEFEXPO 2020, LUCKNOW





Defexpo 2018 at Chennai

IIT Madras entered the field of defence on its own steam in Apr 18. It established a stall in the Defexpo 2018 in Chennai. Many of its students and faculty got their first exposure to the exciting world of aerospace and defense. It even held a seminar in the event. However, the seminar was poorly attended since it was a last-minute inclusion, and many did not even know that IIT Madras was going to hold a seminar. Since then things have changed and IIT Madras has traversed some distance. The Institute is participating in the forthcoming Defexpo 2020 at Lucknow with a much bigger footprint.



Intervening Activities

The two years in between have been all about taking small steps but with a lot of enthusiasm. The Institute participated in several events to formulate its thoughts so that some original ideas could bubble forth. The Institute started collaborating with the Tamil Nadu Government to establish the Defence Industrial Corridor. Today it is the ‘Knowledge Partner’ for the State Government and is almost a mandatory and active participant in all activities related to establishment of the Tamil Nadu Defense Industrial Corridor. It is also carrying out a feasibility study to enable the TN Government to set up an Aerospace Hub at Ulundurpet which will encompass design, development, training and MRO activities. In the process a disused airfield will be re-energized and locals will be benefitted. The Institute has participated in all the Army Technology Seminars wherein its students got an opportunity to display their innovations in the Manekshaw Centre at Delhi. The Institute started interacting with the Services and Defense Industry in a more focused manner. Faculty of  IIT Madras has addressed the students attending the prestigious National Defence College, New Delhi and Higher Command Course at Army War College. Officers of 21 Corps were also addressed. A special address was given at the BAE Suppliers Summit. IIT Madras has also started encouraging its students and startups to innovate and enter the field of defense.

 Along the way, a course on Overview of Defense Technologies was started for its students as an elective: which has received overwhelming response. The Institute came into its own when it conducted two major defense related events. The 12th International High Energy Materials Conference & Exhibit - 2019 (HEMCE 19) was conducted from 16- 18 Dec 2019.  The conference discussed the latest technologies in rocket propellants, explosives and pyrotechnics. It established a major connect with the users for their valuable inputs so that technologies get developed as per services requirements. The marquee event was   a national workshop on the subject which was graced by the Deputy Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army. The second event was the SHAASTRA-2020, the annual student techfest of IIT Madras, held from 3-5 Jan 2020. The theme for the event was Defence Technology and the focus was on disruptive technologies of the future – AI, Robotics (autonomous and unmanned systems), IOT, Networks, Cyber Security, Augmented and Virtual Reality. The institute is now set to participate in various activities in the forthcoming Defexpo2020 in Lucknow.  

Defexpo 2020 Lucknow

Display. The Institute, being the Knowledge Partner of the Tamil Nadu Defence Corridor will form part of the TIDCO Pavilion in the Defense Expo. It will be displaying some special projects on next gen technologies which it has embarked up on. Also, efforts of defense related startups which are participating in the IDEX and are being incubated at the IITM Research Park will be on display. The outline of the projects is as under. 
 
Multi Role Expendable UAVs. IIT Madras is in the process of indigenous design and development of a range of multirole expendable UAVs to encompass Surveillance, Logistics, NBC Monitoring, Met and offensive roles. The project, when completed will build substantial non-contact warfare capabilities into our Armed Forces.

Next Generation ACCCCS (Fire Control Network). IIT Madras has made significant progress on an indigenous Processor called Shakti. It is now embarked to build the next generation of the Artillery Combat Command and Control Network indigenously. The fire control network has been proposed to be based on indigenous Shakti Processor in lightweight tablet configuration. It will be a precursor to secure net-centricity in the Armed Forces incorporating all new weapon systems.

Ramjet Projectile. IIT Madras is on the verge of a breakthrough in ramjet technology for incorporation in Artillery projectiles. This project when successful will double the range of engagement of targets and will make a substantial difference in our combat capabilities. We have taken a clue from the Long Range Precision Fires Program of USA. However we are approaching it with our strengths.  

Seminars. The Institute will also be participating actively in Seminars in the Defexpo 2020 whose details are as under: -

On 4th Feb, a faculty from IIT Madras will be a Key Industry Speaker in the Special Interest Group Meet in Defence Technologies being held at IIT Kanpur as a precursor to the Defexpo

On 6th Feb, IIT Madras will be moderating the Seminar being conducted by TN Government/TIDEL Park on Tamil Nadu - The Emerging Global Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing Destination.

On 6th Feb, IIT Madras in conjunction with Bharat Shakti will be conducting a seminar on Harnessing Strengths of R&D Establishments, Academia and MSMEs for Triggering Defense Manufacturing and Exports. The focus will be on Synchronizing the Academia and Defense Industry Relationship.

MOUs.  IIT Madras has been working with the Defence Industry on a number of issues. There is now a broader understanding that the Institute can contribute immensely in niche and emerging technologies. In his effort the following umbrella MOUs will be inked during the Defexpo 2020

A MOU will be signed with the Ordnance Factory Board for the establishment of a joint Centre of Excellence for Ammunition in emerging technologies in hypersonic/ supersonic ballistics and their impact on design of Ordnance and Ammunition and damage to platforms/ materials

A MOU will be signed with  Bharat Electronics Limited for the establishment of research and collaboration in the areas of ‘Propellants, Explosives and Related Technologies.

Open Invitation

This is also an open invitation for officials and members of the Services, MOD, PSUs, Defence Industry including Heavyweights, Chambers, Startups and all defense enthusiasts to interact with representatives of IIT Madras at the Defexpo 2020. There is a need for cutting edge technology in our weapon systems. Equally there is a need for cutting edge technology resident in IIT Madras to be unleashed. Synergising both requirements is the national need. 

 This may also please be considered as a special invitation for those who are interested to attend the seminars in which IIT Madras is participating. We are going to put out some new ideas and technologies and will be willing to share it with all. The program is as under.  
   
Ser
Date / Time
Forums
Topic/s Seminar Hall
Seminar Hall
1.     
6 th Feb’20
1030 – 1330
TN Govt /TIDEL Park Ltd
Tamil Nadu - The Emerging Global Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing Destination
3
2.
6 th Feb’20
1430 – 1730
Bharat Shakti
And IIT Madras
Harnessing Strengths of R&D Establishments, Academia and MSMEs for Triggering Defence Manufacturing and Exports

IIT Madras will be discussing
a.    Nextgen Data Networks For the Armed Forces
b.    Increasing Ranges of
           Engagements 
           c.    Low Cost                                 Multipurpose UAVs
2

              (https://defexpo.gov.in/assets/PDF/SEMINAR%20TOPICS%20AND%20DATES%2010.01.2020.pdf

Comments

  1. I am sure the IIT-M stall will attract a large number of visitors.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE POST BALAKOT REVIEW BY LT GEN P R SHANKAR (R)

The Pakistani FM to BBC: War would be suicidal. Pakistan has already started negotiating with a gun to its head! Welcome home Wing Commander Abhinanadan. Well done. You flew into the Valley of Death and survived.  India is proud. Sincere condolences to Air Marshal Waseem Ud Din on the loss of his son Shahaz Ud Din under most unfortunate circumstances. He was incredibly brave to continue his mission when others had turned around.   Paradigm Emerged A lot has happened since Balakot. Some in focus some out. Some hyped. Some diffused. Time to sum up the situation and see where things are heading. Militarily it is called Review of the Situation. I will do it journalistically so that the intellectual western media understands it. They might or not buy our story. Incidentally it is not a story. It is not for sale. This is real live action. Nuclear exchange receding. Not ruled out.     A fundamental paradigm has emerged. India’s fight is against terror. The D

GUNNERS SHOT HITS THE MILLION MARK

IT GIVES ME A GREAT SENSE OF PRIDE THAT ' GUNNERS SHOT ' HAS HAD ITS  'MILLIONTH VIEWER'  TODAY MORNING.  PLEASE SEE THE TABLE BELOW.                                 I STARTED THE BLOG IN MARCH 2019 WHEN SOME OF MY ARTICLES WERE REJECTED BY NATIONAL MEDIA AND REPUTED PLATFORMS. THEY PROBABLY FELT THAT MY  ARTICLES DO NOT DESERVE  SPACE IN THEIR PUBLICATIONS. HOWEVER I THANK THEM FOR NUDGING ME TO STRIKE OUT ON MY OWN.     SO I SET MY OWN STANDARDS.    I ALSO COULD NOT COMPROMISE IN PUTTING ACROSS MY VIEW POINT THE WAY I FELT IT WAS NECESSARY FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW. I CHOSE TO BE UNBIASED AND EXPRESS WHAT IS GOOD FOR INDIA WITHOUT ANY COLOURING.  I HAVE ALSO FELT THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR EVERY INDIAN TO KNOW WHAT IS RELEVANT FOR OUR SECURITY IN AS SIMPLE TERMS AS POSSIBLE. IT IS ONLY THEN THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO APPRECIATE AND SUPPORT THE ARMED FORCES IN THEIR ENDEAVOUR TO PROTECT OUR NATION. OUR MEN AND OFFICERS WHO ARE SERVING ARE THE BEST AND DESERVE OUR GRATITUDE FOR

THE CORONA COMBAT - SECOND REVIEW BY LT GEN P R SHANKAR (R)

This is a follow up of the first review @  https://palepurshankar.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-corona-combat-review-of-situation.html General We are now into Day 10 of our lockdown. Midway point of Phase 1 of the battle with the Chinese Virus. Approaching Phase 2 shortly. Critical times ahead. Time for a review of the situation. The PM has spoken to us today. He has just told all of something very important. India is with Indians and Indians are with India. Though we are isolated we remain collected in this fight. Have faith. Economic packages have been rolled out for the poor and for taking care of the common man as well as the industry. At this point of time, I guess that is what the government can do, and it has done that. If the need arises more will be done. I am confident of that. At least for the needy. Overall, we are winning it where superpowers, wannabe superpowers, have been superpowers are losing / lost it. The collective response of India has been simply fantastic