A testing and evaluation facility for sonar systems to be used by the Indian Navy has been launched by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

It is a state-of-the-art system developed for use by the Navy onboard various platforms, including ships, submarines and helicopters.

The DRDO launched the hull module of ‘Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation & Evaluation’ (SPACE) facility at Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi.

What is sonar?

• Sound Navigation and Ranging (Sonar) uses sound energy waves to detect submerged objects, such as submarines and mines. Sonar is helpful for exploring and mapping the ocean because sound waves travel farther in the water than do radar and light waves.

• There are two types of sonar — active and passive.

• Active sonar is the most effective means available for locating objects underwater. Active sonar sends out a pulse of energy, often called a “ping”, that travels through water, reflects off an object, and returns to a receiver.

• Passive sonar is a sound-receiving system that uses receivers to “listen” for sound waves generated by man-made or biological sources. Passive sonar does not put any sound energy in the water.

• Active sonar has the ability to locate objects that are too quiet to be detected using passive sonar, and is effective in locating in-water mines.

Features of DRDO’s new facility:

• The SPACE facility is based on the concept design and requirements projected by NPOL and has been constructed by L&T Shipbuilding, Chennai.

• This will be mainly utilised for evaluating sonar systems, allowing for quick deployment and easy recovery of scientific packages such as sensors and transducers.

• The SPACE is one-of-a-kind facility in the world. The uniqueness of this facility lies in the specially designed submersible platform, which can be lowered up to depths of 100 metres using a series of synchronously operated winches.

• The design and construction of the platform meet all the statutory needs of Indian Register of Shipping and the vessel classifying authority and strictly adhere to the inspection and registration criteria as per Kerala Inland Vessel Rules.

Defence Research and Development Organisation

• DRDO is the research and development wing of the defence ministry. Its vision is to empower India with cutting-edge defence technologies and a mission to achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies and systems, while equipping our armed forces with state-of-the-art weapon systems and equipment in accordance with the requirements laid down by the three services.

• DRDO was formed in 1958 from the amalgamation of the then already functioning Technical Development Establishment of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production with the Defence Science Organisation. 

• DRDO was then a small organisation with 10 establishments or laboratories. Over the years, it has grown multi-directionally in terms of the variety of subject disciplines, number of laboratories, achievements and stature.

• Today, DRDO is a network of more than 50 laboratories that are deeply engaged in developing defence technologies covering various disciplines such as aeronautics, armaments, electronics, combat vehicles, engineering systems, instrumentation, missiles, advanced computing and simulation, special materials, naval systems, life sciences, training, information systems and agriculture. 

• Several major projects for the development of missiles, armaments, light combat aircrafts, radars, electronic warfare systems etc are on hand and significant achievements have already been made in several such technologies.

• DRDO’s pursuit of self-reliance and successful indigenous development and production of strategic systems and platforms such as Agni and Prithvi series of missiles, Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, multi-barrel rocket launcher Pinaka, air defence system Akash, etc have given a quantum jump to India’s military might, generating effective deterrence and providing crucial leverage.

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