The Hindu Business Line : Defence scientists embark on making `smart' missiles

INDIAN defence scientists have embarked on the development of `smart' missiles, that are smaller, lighter, agile, and that can home-in to targets with greater accuracy and destroy, according to Dr V.K. Saraswat, Distinguished Scientist and Director, Research Centre Imarat (RCI), one of the top-notch missile labs in the country.

These missiles, equipped with thermal infrared imaging and precision homing devices, will be able to `seek and destroy' targets with least "collateral damage." New technologies needed to produce such missiles are being developed, he told a group of select newspersons on Friday.

The programme stems from the capabilities and experiences gained from the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, which over the past two decades developed a range of `robust' missiles such as Prithvi, Trishul, Agni, Akash and Nag, he said.

Hypersonic vehicles, miniaturised missile systems, system of a system, nanotechnology, very large systems integration and homing guidance have been identified by the RCI as thrust areas for the development of futuristic missiles, Dr Saraswat said.

He said warfare in future would move from the present `platform-based' (aircraft, tank or ship) to `network based', where information technology will play a crucial part. Hence, it has been proposed to build a network of radars, unmanned aerial vehicles and sensors that are linked under a secure network.

The entire command, control, communication systems is in place and being implemented in the BrahMos supersonic missile and Akash missile, he said.

The RCI is being expanded to ensure that these futuristic systems become deliverable in the next five to seven years. To enable miniaturisation, new technologies built around MEMS (miniaturised electro-mechanical systems), VLSI and System on Chip (SoC) are under development at the RCI, Dr Saraswat said. The overall reduction in the size of the systems will result results in greater accuracy and also bring down the costs of the missiles significantly, he said.

A whole range of `rugged' materials, which would include ceramic, lightweight composites that can withstand temperatures of up to 4000 degrees centigrade are being developed to be integrated into the new missiles to make them effective.

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