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