MRSAM Range
Inspired by the development of 150-km range of the Barak-8ER (Extended-Range) surface-to-air missile (SAM) system by its developmental partner, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has decided to develop a local version of it with in-house technologies instead of relying on the IAI.
DRDO has planned to test medium-range (MRSAM) missile system with an additional rocket booster which could have doubled its range from its current 70-80km to 140-150 km for the Air Force version which also requires minor changes to the mobile launch canister design and tweaking to the phased-array radars, command, and control system of the missile.
DRDO is also working on SAM, which it calls as XRSAM and has a range of 250km and is designed to work with MRSAM-ER for the Air force along with MRSAM (70km). Official Renders of the XRSAM confirms that it has taken design cues from the IAI-DRDO developed MRSAM air defense system and probably will be using the same enhanced missile frame of the MRSAM missile and electronics like Active seeker and dual pulse motor which it has developed for the MRSAM program.
XRSAM was also seen with an additional rocket booster which leads to questions if the MRSAM-ER will be called XRSAM and the range will be bumped to 250km instead of 150km as rumored to be. Both Naval, Army, and Air force variants of XRSAM will be developed, XRSAM will have higher local content than the MRSAM which has many Israeli components in it including its radar and command and control systems.
DRDO Invited EOI For Projects Under Technology Fund
DRDO has launched five projects under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme and has sought interest and participation from domestic Micro, Small ane Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to avail the opportunity.
The on-going projects under Technology Development Fund scheme are as follows:
• Development of Indigenous Digital Instantaneous Frequency Measurement (DIFM) unit for R118 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) system (IAF.20.01). Last date for Expression of Interest: June 8, 2020.
• Development of Amplidyne (IAF.18.06). Last date for Expression of Interest: June 15, 2020.
• Digital Instantaneous Frequency Measurement (DIFM) unit for Tarang Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) system (IAF.20.02). Last Date for Expression of Interest: June 8, 2020.
• VLF Loop Aerial for Under Water Platforms (IN.20.01). Last date for Expression of Interest: June 8, 2020.
• HF-VLF Antenna Matrix for Under Water Platforms (IN.20.02). Last date for Expression of Interest: June 8, 2020.
