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How The Indian Navy Is Ensuring High Indigenous Content In Its Project -75 (I) Submarines
by Prakhar Gupta
The Indian Navy, by far, is the most self-reliant of the three defence services and is way ahead of
the Army and the Air Force in terms of indigenous content of its combat units. It was the first to
develop in-house designing capabilities by setting up a dedicated bureau just years after India’s
independence. Today, a large number of its surface vessels are constructed by Indian shipyards
with indigenous content going up to 81 per cent in some cases. And now, this trend is also
becoming evident in the construction of submarines.
The Kalvari-class (Scorpene-class) submarines of the Indian Navy, some of which are currently
under construction at the Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Limited, have between 30 to 40 per
centindigenous content. While indigenous content on the Kalvari-class boats is not exceptionally
high due to contract stipulations, the Indian Navy has sought to do away with this restriction in
Project-75 (I), under which six conventional submarines are to be built in India.
Among other things, the navy has asked for the indigenisation of pressure hull steel, introduction
of indigenous Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) module, and the integration of home-grown
torpedos and submarine-launched cruise missile on its Project-75 (I) submarines to increase the
level of indigenous content.
Most submarines have two hulls, one inside the other. The inner hull, which is the main load-
bearing structure of a submarine and is designed to withstand the compressive forces associated
with hydrostatic pressure, is the pressure hull. Under this project,reports say, the Indian Navy has
asked for the use of indigenous steel for the construction of the submarine’s pressure hull. The
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), along with the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design
and the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, has been developing a grade
calledDMR292A for “underwater projects”, a euphemism for submarines. This grade, reports
say, could be used for the construction of hulls of submarines being built under Project-75 (I) and
India’s fleet of indigenous nuclear submarines.
In 2014, the government had saidthat Project-75 (I) was facing delays, due to, among other
things, the “difficulties in import of warship grade steel and the delay in indigenous development
of warship grade steel”.
In the past, the Indian Navy has benefited greatly from the indigenisation of warship grade
steel. DMR249A, a special grade high-tensile steel developed by the state-owned SAIL at its plant
in Chhattisgarh’s Bhilai, is being extensively used by shipyards in the construction of warships for
the Indian Navy. INS Kamorta and INS Kadmatt, anti-submarine warfare corvettes of the Indian
Navy commissioned in 2014 and 2016, respectively, are built entirely of DMR249A grade steel.
By 2017, SAIL had supplied 50,000 tonnes of DMR249A grade steel for various projects.
SAIL has also provided over 28,000 tonnes of the warship-grade steel for India’s first Indigenous
Aircraft Carrier (IAC), christened Vikrant. While DMR249A has been used for IAC’s hull and body, a
new grade called DMR249B has been used to build the flight deck, which should be capable of
withstanding repeated impact of 20-30 tonne fighter aircraft landing. For the construction of the
floor of compartments that house engines and generators, SAIL has supplied a third variety, called
DMR Z25.
The navy wanted the indigenously Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) module, developed by the
Naval Materials Research Laboratory, installed on the last two of its six Kalvari-class diesel-
electric submarines being built by the Mazagon Dock. However, delays derailed the plan. Now,
the navy wants the module to be introduced on the submarines to be built under Project-75 (I).
AIP module gives a submarine the ability to remain submerged for a long time without surfacing. A
diesel-electric submarine (SSK) has to snorkel frequently to recharge its batteries which power its
propellers and other equipment. The process of snorkelling involves travelling just below the
surface of the water with the submarine’s periscope and generator exhaust pipe above the water
surface. Modern radars, such as the Telephonics’ AN/APS-153(V), which will equip the MH-60R
helos being acquired by the Indian Navy for anti-submarine warfare, can easily detect periscope
and exhaust pipes, taking away the element of surprise critical for submarines.
The Indian Navy is also planning tointroduce the AIP module on its Kalvari-class boats when they
go for first major refit. The first of the Kalavari-class, INS Kalvari, inducted in 2017, is expected to
go for refit around 2023.
In 2013, when the VVIP chopper scam surfaced, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance
government banned not just AgustaWestland, the maker of the helos, but the entire group -
Finmeccanica - of which it was a part. This whimsical blacklisting ended up costing the navy dear.
An order for 96 Black Shark heavyweight torpedoes, which were to being procured for the Kalvari-
class and Arihant-class boats of the Indian Navy, wascancelled because these were built by
Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei, a company part of the banned Finmeccanica group.
As a result, the navy had to induct INS Kalvari and INS Arihant without new heavyweight
torpedoes. INS Kalvari currently shares 64 obsolescent, unreliableGerman SUT torpedoes with
four HDW Shishumar-class boats.
Taking lessons, the Navy has asked for the integration of indigenous heavyweight torpedoes on
the boats to be built under Project-75 (I).
The Defence Research and Development Organisation has developed a heavyweight torpedo -
Varunastra - for surface ships, and, reports say, is currently working on a submarine-launched
version. Given the relatively high cost of imported torpedoes, an Indigenous one will be a boost
for the navy.
Varunastra, which has a range of around 40 kilometers, has been inducted by the navy for use by
its surface vessels. The navy has ordered 73 of these. It can be used from Kolkata, Delhi, Teg,
Talwar and Kamorta-class vessels.
The Indian Navy wants its Project-75 (I) boats to be capable of carrying 12 land-attack and anti-
ship cruise missiles.
India currently has two cruise missiles - the in-service supersonic BrahMos and the under-
development subsonic Nirbhay. In all likelihood, a version of the BrahMos cruise missile will equip
the Project-75 (I) boats. According to its maker, BrahMos Aerospace, the missile can be fired from
a depth of 40-50 meters, and all stimulation trials related to underwater launch have been
completed.
Moreover, Russia has said that it has already worked out the option of integrating the submarine-
launched version of the BrahMos missile on its Amur-class submarines which have beenoffered to
India under Project-75 (I).
Apart from reducing the import cost, integration of a home-grown cruise missile will address the
issue of availability and upgrade. An indigenous system is much more likely to be available to the
navy at short notice, and, most importantly, will be much easier to upgrade for future use than one
which is imported. As the BrahMos is also used by a number of surface vessels of the
navy, commonalitywill be another major advantage of its integration on new submarines
Submarines Active
Indian Navy Submarines
Kalvari Class
INS Kalvari is the first of the six Scorpene class submarines built under
Project 75.The Submarine was commissioned on 14 December 2017.
Name Pennant No. Date of Commission
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The list of submarine classes in service includes all submarine classes
currently in service with navies or other armed forces worldwide. For surface
combatants, see the list of naval ship classes in service.
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ReferencesBallistic missile submarines[edit]
• Arihant Class ballistic missile submarine (Project ATV)
◦ Builder: India
◦ Displacement: 6,600 tons
◦ Operator: Indian Navy : 1 in service, 3 under construction
• Borei-class ballistic missile submarine (Project 955 Borey)
◦ Builder: Russia
◦ Displacement: 23,800 tons
◦ Operator: Russian Navy: 3 in service, 1 outfitting, Russia to
Float Out New Borey Class Sub on Dec. 30, + 4 ships building
• Delta-class ballistic missile submarine (Project 667BDR Kal'mar /
667BDRM Del'fin)
◦ Builder: Soviet Union / Russia
◦ Displacement: 18,730 tons
◦ Operator: Russian Navy: 9 in service, including 3 Delta III and
6 Delta IV
• Jin-class ballistic missile submarine (Type 094)
◦ Builder: People's Republic of China
◦ Displacement: 11,000 tons
◦ Operator: People's Liberation Army Navy: 4 in service
• Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN 726)
◦ Builder: United States
◦ Displacement: 18,450 tons
◦ Operator: United States Navy: 14 in service with ballistic
missiles
• Sinpo-class submarine (Gorae/Pongdae)
◦ North Korea
◦ Displacement: 1,650~2,000 tons
◦ Operator: Korean People's Army Naval Force : 1 in service
• Triomphant-class ballistic missile submarine
◦ Builder: France
◦ Displacement: 14,000 tons
◦ Operator: French Navy: 4 in service
• Typhoon-class ballistic missile submarine (Project 941 Akula)
◦ Builder: Soviet Union / Russia
◦ Displacement: 33,800 tons
◦ Operator: Russian Navy: 1 in active service of 6 built, 2 in
reserve.
• Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarine
◦ Builder United Kingdom
◦ Displacement: 15,680 tons
◦ Operator: Royal Navy: 4 in service
• Xia-class ballistic missile submarine (Type 092)
◦ Builder: People's Republic of China
◦ Displacement: 7,000 tons
◦ Operator: People's Liberation Army Navy: 1 in service
Guided missile submarines[edit]
• Oscar-class submarine (Project 949A Antey)
◦ Builder: Soviet Union / Russia
◦ Displacement: 19,400 tons
◦ Operator: Russian Navy: 8 in active service plus 2 in reserve
• Ohio-class "Tactical Trident": Special Forces and Super Strike (SSGN
726)
◦ Builder: United States
◦ Displacement: 18,750 tons
◦ Operator: United States Navy: 4 in active service each with
~154 Tomahawks
Nuclear-powered attack submarines[edit]
• Akula-class submarine (Project 971 Shchuka)
◦ Builder: Soviet Union / Russia
◦ Displacement: 10,700 tons
◦ Operator:
▪ Russian Navy: 11 in service, including 3 Improved Akula
and 2 Akula II
▪ Indian Navy: 1 Akula II in active service and 1 planned[1]
• Astute-class submarine
◦ Builder: United Kingdom
◦ Displacement: 7,400 tons
◦ Operator: Royal Navy: 3 in service, 1 being fitted out & 3
under construction out of a total of 7 (ordered) in class
• Barracuda-class submarine
◦ Builder: France
◦ Displacement: 5,300 tons
◦ Operator:
▪ French Navy: 3 being built, 6 planned
▪ Royal Australian Navy: 12 of the non-nuclear Shortfin-
variant planned for
• Han-class attack submarine (Type 091)
◦ Builder: People's Republic of China
◦ Displacement: 4,500 tons
◦ Operator: People's Liberation Army Navy: 3 in service, 2
Decommissioned
• Los Angeles-class attack submarine (SSN 688)
◦ Builder: United States
◦ Displacement: 7,000 tons
◦ Operator: United States Navy: 32 in service
• Rubis / Amethyste-class attack submarine
◦ Builder: France
◦ Displacement: 2,670 tons
◦ Operator: French Navy: 6 in service
• Seawolf-class attack submarine (SSN 21)
◦ Builder: United States
◦ Displacement: 9,300 tons
◦ Operator: United States Navy: 3 in service (1 as special
mission support submarine see USS Jimmy Carter)
• Yasen-class submarine (Project 885)
◦ Builder: Russia
◦ Displacement: 11,800 tons
◦ Operator: 2 Building
• Shang-class attack submarine (Type 093)
◦ Builder: People's Republic of China
◦ Displacement: 8,000 tons
◦ Operator: People's Liberation Army Navy: 2 in service
• Sierra-class submarine (Project 945)
◦ Builder: Soviet Union
◦ Displacement: 10,400 tons
◦ Operator: Russian Navy: 3 in service, including one Sierra I
and two Sierra II submarines
• Trafalgar-class submarine
◦ Builder: United Kingdom
◦ Displacement: 5,208 tons
◦ Operator: Royal Navy: 3 in service out of 7 built
• Victor-class submarine (Victor III Project 671)
◦ Builder: Soviet Union
◦ Displacement: 7,250 tons
◦ Operator: Russian Navy: 8 in service
• Virginia-class submarine (SSN 774)
◦ Builder: United States
◦ Displacement: 7,800 tons
◦ Operator: United States Navy: 16 in service
Diesel-electric attack submarines[edit]
• Agosta-class submarine
◦ Builder: France / Spain
◦ Displacement: 1,725 tons
◦ Operators:
▪ Pakistan Navy : 5 in service
▪ Spanish Navy: 4 in service
• Challenger-class submarine (ex-Sjöormen class)
◦ Builder: Sweden
◦ Displacement: 1,210 tons
◦ Operator: Republic of Singapore Navy: 4 in service
• Collins-class submarine
◦ Builder: Australia
◦ Displacement: 3,050 tons
◦ Operator: Royal Australian Navy: 6 in service
• Dolphin-class submarine
◦ Builder: Germany
◦ Displacement: 1,900 tons
◦ Operator: Israeli Navy: 3 in service, 3 AIP building/ordered
• Kilo-class submarine (Project 877 Paltus and Project 636)
◦ Builder: Soviet Union / Russia
◦ Displacement: 3,100 tons
◦ Operators:
▪ Indian Navy: 9 Kilo, 1 exploded, known as the
Sindhughosh class
▪ People's Liberation Army Navy: 2 Kilo and 10 Improved
Kilo in service
▪ Russian Navy: 17 in service plus a number of reserves,
6 Improved Kilo ordered
▪ Algerian National Navy: 2 Original Kilo and 2 Improved
Kilo
▪ Polish Navy: 1 Kilo
▪ Islamic Republic of Iran Navy: 3 Kilo
▪ Romanian Naval Forces: 1 Kilo
▪ Vietnam People's Navy: 1 Kilo and 5 Improved Kilo in
service
• Kobben-class (Type 207) submarine
◦ Builder: Germany
◦ Displacement: 485 tons
◦ Operators: Polish Navy: 4 in service, handed over from
Norway
• Ming-class (Type 035) submarine
◦ Builder: People's Republic of China
◦ Displacement: 2,100 tons
◦ Operator: People's Liberation Army Navy: 14 in service
• Oyashio-class submarine
◦ Builder: Japan
◦ Displacement: 4,000 tons
◦ Operator: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force: 11 in service
• Romeo-class submarine
◦ Builder: Soviet Union
◦ Displacement: 1,830 tons
◦ Operators:
▪ Bulgarian Navy: 1 of many delivered remains in service,
restricted capabilities
• Sauro-class submarine
◦ Builder: Italy
◦ Displacement: 1,653 tons
◦ Operator: Marina Militare: 4 in service
• Song-class submarine
◦ Builder: People's Republic of China
◦ Displacement: 2,250 tons
◦ Operator: People's Liberation Army Navy: 13 in service
• TR-1700-class submarine
◦ Builder: Germany
◦ Displacement: 2116 tons
◦ Operators: Argentine Navy: 1 in service
• Type 209 submarine
◦ Builder: Germany
◦ Displacement: 1,230/1,290/1,586 tons
◦ Operators:
▪ Argentine Navy: 1 in service
▪ Brazilian Navy: 5 in service
▪ Chilean Navy: 2 in service
▪ Colombian National Navy: 2 in service
▪ Ecuadorian Navy: 2 in service
▪ Hellenic Navy: 7 in service
▪ Indian Navy: 4 in service
▪ Indonesian Navy: 2 in service, 2 under sea trial, 1 under
construction
▪ Peruvian Navy: 6 in service
▪ South African Navy: 3 in service
▪ Republic of Korea Navy: 9 in service
▪ Turkish Naval Forces: 14 in service
▪ Bolivarian Armada of Venezuela: 2 in service
• Ula-class (Type 210) submarine
◦ Builder: Germany
◦ Displacement: 1,150 tons
◦ Operator: Royal Norwegian Navy: 6 in service
• Victoria-class hunter-killer submarine (SSK 876)
◦ Builder: United Kingdom
◦ Displacement: 2,400 tons
◦ Operator: Royal Canadian Navy: 4 in service
• Walrus-class submarine
◦ Builder: Netherlands
◦ Displacement: 2,800 tons
◦ Operator: Royal Netherlands Navy: 4 in service
• Zwaardvis-class submarine
◦ Builder: Netherlands
◦ Displacement: 2,600 tons
◦ Operator: Republic of China Navy: 2 in service
• Sang-O-class submarine
◦ Builder: North Korea
◦ Displacement: 370 tons
◦ Operator: Korean People's Army Naval Force: 40 in service
• Sinpo-class submarine
◦ Builder: North Korea
◦ Displacement: 2,000 tons
◦ Operator: Korean People's Army Naval Force: 1 in service
• Fateh-class submarine
◦ Builder: Iran
◦ Displacement: 593 tons
◦ Operator: Islamic Republic of Iran Navy: 1 in service
• Nahang-class submarine
◦ Builder: Iran
◦ Displacement: 350-400 tons
◦ Operator: Islamic Republic of Iran Navy: 1 in service
Non-nuclear submarines with air-independent propulsion[edit]
• Gotland class
◦ Builder: Sweden,
◦ Displacement: 1,647 tons
◦ Operators: Swedish Navy: 3 in service
• Lada-class submarine (Project 677 Lada)
◦ Builder: Russia
◦ Displacement: 2,700 tons
◦ Operators: Russian Navy: 1 in service, 3 ordered
• Qing-class submarine
◦ Builder: People's Republic of China
◦ Displacement: 6,628 tons
◦ Operator: People's Liberation Army Navy: 1 in service
• S-80 class
◦ Builder: Spain
◦ Displacement: 2,426 tons
◦ Operator: Spanish Navy: 4 building
• Scorpène class
◦ Builder: France / Spain
◦ Displacement: 1,590 tons
◦ Operator:
▪ Brazilian Navy: 4 ordered/building
▪ Chilean Navy: 2 in service
▪ Indian Navy: 1 in service, 5 under construction
▪ Royal Malaysian Navy: 2 in service
• Sōryū class
◦ Builder: Japan
◦ Displacement: 4,200 tons
◦ Operators: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force: 9 in service,
3 building or planned
• Type 212 submarine
◦ Builders: Germany / Italy
◦ Displacement: 1,830 tons
◦ Operators:
▪ German Navy: 4 in service, 2 ordered, 2 more planned
▪ Marina Militare: 4 in service
• Type 214 submarine
◦ Builder: Germany,
◦ Displacement: 1,980 tons
◦ Operators:
▪ Hellenic Navy: 4 in service
▪ Republic of Korea Navy: 3 in service, 6 building/ordered
▪ Portuguese Navy: 2 in service
▪ Turkish Naval Forces: 6 ordered
• Västergötland-class submarine / Archer-class submarine
◦ Builder: Sweden
◦ Displacement: 1,145 tons
◦ Operator:
▪ Swedish Navy: 2 in service
▪ Republic of Singapore Navy: 2 on a delivery program
• Yuan-class submarine
◦ Builder: People's Republic of China
◦ Displacement: 3,600 tons
◦ Operator: People's Liberation Army Navy: 17 in service, 3
building
Midget submarines[edit]
• Yugo-class submarine
◦ Builder: North Korea
◦ Displacement: 90 up to 110 tons
◦ Operator: Islamic Republic of Iran Navy: 4 in service
• Yono-class submarine
◦ Builder: North Korea
◦ Displacement: 130 tons
◦ Operator: North Korea: <36 in service
• Ghadir-class submarine
◦ Builder: Iran
◦ Displacement: 115 tons
◦ Operator: Islamic Republic of Iran Navy: 21 in service
Special mission submarines[edit]
• Mystic-class deep sea rescue submersible (DSRV 1)
◦ Builder: United States
◦ Displacement: 37 tons
◦ Operator: United States Navy: 1 in service
• Paltus-class special mission submarine (Project 1083.1)
◦ Builder: Russia
◦ Displacement: 730 tons
◦ Operator: Russian Navy
• Uniform-class special mission submarine (Project 1910 Kashalot)
◦ Builder: Soviet Union / Russia
◦ Displacement: 1,580 tons
◦ Operator: Russian Navy
Arihant-class submarine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Class overview
Name: Arihant
Builders: Navy Shipbuilding Centre,
Visakhapatnam[1]
Operators: Indian Navy
Cost: ₹4,000 crore (US$560 million) per
submarine[2]
In 2016
commission:
Planned: 4
Building: 3[3]
Active: 1[4]
General characteristics
Type: Nuclear powered ballistic missile
submarine
Displacement: 6,000 tonnes (5,900 long tons; 6,600
short tons) surfaced[5]
Length: 112 m (367 ft)[5]
Beam: 11 m (36 ft)
Draft: 10 m (33 ft)
Installed • 1 × pressurised water reactor[6]
power: • 83 MW (111,000 hp)
Propulsion: • 1 × propeller shaft
• Nuclear
Speed: • Surfaced: 12–15 knots (22–28 km/h)
• Submerged: 24 knots (44 km/h)
Range: unlimited except by food supplies
Test depth: 300 m (980 ft)
Complement: 95
Sensors and USHUS sonar
processing
systems:
Armament: • 12 × K15 SLBM (750 km or 470 mi
range) or 4 × K-4 SLBM (3,500 km or
2,200 mi range)[6]
• 6 × 21" (533 mm) torpedo tubes
– est 30 charges (torpedoes, cruise
missiles or mines)[7]
The Arihant class (Sanskrit, for Slayer of Enemies) is a class of nuclear-
powered ballistic missile submarines being built for the Indian Navy. They
were developed under the ₹90,000 crore (US$13 billion) Advanced
Technology Vessel (ATV) project to design and build nuclear-powered
submarines.[2]
The lead vessel of the class, INS Arihant was launched in 2009 and after
extensive sea trials, was confirmed to be commissioned in August 2016.[8][9]
[10] Arihant is the first ballistic missile submarine to have been built by a
country other than one of the five permanent members of the United Nations
Security Council.[11]
Contents
1 De
Shi Ref
De vel Se
Hist ps Tim er
scr op e
or 2 3 4 in 5 eli 6 7 en 8
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t
External linksHistory[edit]
In December 1971, during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the US President
Richard Nixon sent a carrier battle group named Task Force 74, led by the
nuclear-powered USS Enterprise into the Bay of Bengal in an attempt to
intimidate India.[12][13] In response, the Soviet Union sent a submarine armed
with nuclear missiles from Vladivostok to trail the US task force.[14] The event
demonstrated the significance of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile
submarines to then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.[15] Following the 1974
Smiling Buddha nuclear test, the Director of Marine Engineering (DME) at
Naval Headquarters initiated a technical feasibility study for an indigenous
nuclear propulsion system (Project 932).[16]
The Indian Navy's Advanced Technology Vessel project to design and
construct a nuclear submarine took shape in the 1990s.[17] Then Defence
Minister George Fernandes confirmed the project in 1998.[18] The initial intent
of the project was to design nuclear-powered fast attack submarines, though
following nuclear tests conducted by India in 1998 at Pokhran Test Range
and the Indian pledge of no first use, the project was re-aligned towards the
design of a ballistic missile submarine in order to complete India's nuclear
triad.[19][20][21]
Description[edit]
The Arihant-class submarines are nuclear powered ballistic missile
submarines built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project.[22][23]
[24][25][26][27] They will be the first nuclear submarines designed and built by
India.[28] The submarines are 112 m (367 ft) long with a beam of 11 m (36 ft),
a draught of 10 m (33 ft), displacement of 6,000 tonnes (5,900 long tons;
6,600 short tons) and a diving depth of 300 m (980 ft). The complement is
about 95, including officers and sailors.[29] The boats are powered by a single
seven blade propeller powered by an 83 MW (111,000 hp) pressurised water
reactor and can achieve a maximum speed of 12–15 knots (22–28 km/h)
when surfaced and 24 knots (44 km/h) when submerged.[29]
The submarines have four launch tubes in their hump and can carry up to 12
K-15 Sagarika missiles with one warhead each (with a range of 750 km or
470 mi) or 4 K-4 missiles (with a range of 3,500 km or 2,200 mi).[30][31] The
submarines are similar to the Akula-class submarine of Russia.[29] The Indian
Navy will train on INS Chakra, an Akula-class submarine leased from Russia
in 2012.[32][33]
Development[edit]
The submarines are powered by a pressurised water reactor with highly
enriched uranium fuel.[34][35] The miniaturized version of the reactor was
designed and built by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) at the
Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam.[36] It
included a 42-metre (138 ft) section of the submarine's pressure hull
containing the shielding tank with water and the reactor, a control room, as
well as an auxiliary control room for monitoring safety parameters.[37] The
prototype reactor became critical on 11 November 2003 and was declared
operational on 22 September 2006.[15] Successful operation of the prototype
for three years enabled the production version of the reactor for Arihant.[38][39]
The reactor subsystems were tested at the Machinery Test Center in
Visakhapatnam.[40] Facilities for loading and replacing the fuel cores of the
naval reactors in berthed submarines were also established.[15]
The detailed engineering of the design was implemented at Larsen &
Toubro's submarine design centre at their Hazira shipbuilding facility.[41] Tata
Power SED built the control systems for the submarine.[42] The steam
turbines and associated systems integrated with the reactor were supplied by
Walchandnagar Industries.[43] The lead vessel underwent a long and
extensive process of testing after its launch in July 2009.[44] The propulsion
and power systems were tested with high-pressure steam trials followed by
harbor-acceptance trials that included submersion tests by flooding its ballast
tanks and controlled dives to limited depths.[45] INS Arihant's reactor went
critical for the first time on 10 August 2013.[46] On 13 December 2014, the
submarine set off for its extensive sea trials.[47][48]
Ships in class[edit]
December 2014, the work on a second nuclear reactor began and the second
boat, INS Arighat is being prepared for sea trials.[2] The next three ships in the
class, after the lead ship, will be larger and have 8 missile launch tubes to
carry up to 8 K4 and a more powerful pressurized water reactor than INS
Arihant. A larger follow on class to the arihant class is also planned, these
new boats will be capable of carrying 12 to 16 ballistic missiles.[57][58] The first
submarine was commissioned into the Indian Navy in August 2016.[59]
Laid
Pen Commissi
Name dow Launch Sea Trials Status
nant on
n
Fleet I
SSB 13
INS Arih 199 26 July August In
N December
ant 7[61] 2009 2016 service[9]
80[60] 2014 [62]
Fleet II
19 Not
INS Arig 201 Outfitting[6][65]
November expected
hat 0[61] [61]
2017[63][64] till 2020[2]
S4 Late 2018 Under
(codena (expected) constructi
me)[58] [63] on[66]
S4* Under
(codena constructi
me)[58] on
Timeline[edit]
Date Event
Confirmation of ATV project by the then Defence
19 May 1998
Minister George Fernandes
11 November 2003 Prototype nuclear reactor becomes critical
22 September 2006 Nuclear reactor is declared operational
Lead vessel of the class, INS Arihant, is formally
26 July 2009
launched
Arihant's on-board nuclear reactor attains
10 August 2013
criticality
INS Arihant begins extensive sea & weapons
13 December 2014
trials
INS Arihant successfully test-fired dummy B5
25 November 2015
missile
31 March 2016 INS Arihant successfully test-fired K4 missile
August 2016 INS Arihant commissioned.[8]
19 Nov 2017 INS Arighat launched[2]
Early 2018 INS Arighat to begin sea trials[61]
2019 INS Arighat to be delivered.[8][61]
2.
FIGHTER AIRCRAFTS
SU-30 MKI : Twin seater twin engine multirole fighter of Russian origin which
carries One X 30mm GSH gun alongwith 8000 kg external armament. It is
capable of carrying a variety of medium-range guided air to air missiles with
active or semi-active radar or Infra red homing close range missiles. It has a
max speed of 2500 km/hr (Mach 2.35).
MiG-29 : Twin engine, single seater air superiority fighter aircraft of Russian
origin capable of attaining max. speed of 2445 km per hour (Mach-2.3). It has
a combat ceiling of 17 km. It carries a 30 mm cannon alongwith four R-60
close combat and two R-27 R medium range radar guided missiles.
MiG-27 : Single engine, single seater tactical strike fighter aircraft of Russian
origin having a max. speed of 1700 km/hr (Mach 1.6). It carries one 23 mm
six-barrel rotary integral cannon and can carry upto 4000 kg of other
armament externally.
Contents ReferencesHistory[edit]
A replica of a German Heinkel He 178, the world's first aircraft to fly under turbojet
power, at Rostock-Laage Airport.
This section needs expansion.
You can help by adding to it. (July 2017)
Balloons[edit]
In 1783, when the first practical aircraft (hot-air and hydrogen balloons) were
established, they were quickly adopted for military duties.[2] The first military
balloon unit was the French Aerostatic Corps, who in 1794 flew an
observation balloon during the Battle of Fleurus, the first major battle to
feature aerial observation.[3] Balloons continued to be used throughout the
19th Century, including in the Napoleonic Wars and the Franco-Prussian war,
for observation and propaganda distribution.[4] During the First World War,
German Zeppelin airships carried out multiple air raids on British cities, as
well as being used for observation.[4] In the 1920s, the US Navy acquired
several non-rigid airships, the first one to see service being the K-1 in 1931.
Use by the USA as well as other countries continued into the Second World
War, the US Navy finally retiring its last balloons in 1962.[5]
Powered aircraft[edit]
Soon after the first flight of the Wright Flyer, several militaries became
interested in powered aircraft. In 1909 the US Army purchased the Wright
Military Flyer, a two-seat observation aircraft, for the Aeronautical Division,
U.S. Signal Corps. It served until 1911, by which time powered aircraft had
become an important feature in several armies around the world.[6]
Combat aircraft[edit]
This section needs expansion.
You can help by adding to it. (October
2012)
Combat aircraft, or "Warplanes", are divided broadly into multi-role, fighters,
bombers, attackers, and electronic warfare support.
Variations exist between them, including fighter-bombers, such as the MiG-23
ground-attack aircraft and the Soviet Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik. Also included
among combat aircraft are long-range maritime patrol aircraft, such as the
Hawker Siddeley Nimrod and the S-3 Viking that are often equipped to attack
with anti-ship missiles and anti-submarine weapons.
Fighter aircraft[edit]
Bomber aircraft[edit]
A USAF B-2A Spirit
Main articles: Bomber, Strategic bomber, Heavy bomber, Medium bomber,
and Interdictor
Bombers are normally larger, heavier, and less maneuverable than fighter
aircraft. They are capable of carrying large payloads of bombs, torpedoes or
cruise missiles. Bombers are used almost exclusively for ground attacks and
not fast or agile enough to take on enemy fighters head-to-head. A few have a
single engine and require one pilot to operate and others have two or more
engines and require crews of two or more. A limited number of bombers, such
as the B-2 Spirit, have stealth capabilities that keep them from being detected
by enemy radar. An example of a conventional modern bomber would be the
B-52 Stratofortress. An example of a World War II bomber would be a B-17
Flying Fortress. Bombers include light bombers, medium bombers, heavy
bombers, dive bombers, and torpedo bombers.
Attack aircraft[edit]
Two Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucanos of the Brazilian Air Force fly over the Amazon
rainforest.
Main articles: Attack aircraft and Gunship
Attack aircraft can be used to provide support for friendly ground troops.
Some are able to carry conventional or nuclear weapons far behind enemy
lines to strike priority ground targets. Attack helicopters attack enemy armor
and provide close air support for ground troops. An example historical
ground-attack aircraft is the Soviet Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik. Several types of
transport airplanes have been armed with sideways firing weapons as
gunships for ground attack. These include the AC-47 and AC-130 aircraft.
A Portuguese Air Force EADS CASA C-295 MPA/Persuader used for maritime patrol
and anti-submarine warfare.
Main article: Maritime patrol aircraft
A maritime patrol aircraft fixed-wing military aircraft designed to operate for
long durations over water in maritime patrol roles—in particular anti-
submarine, anti-ship and search and rescue. Some patrol aircraft were
designed for this purpose, like the Kawasaki P-1.[8] Many others are modified
designs of pre-existing aircraft, such as the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, which is
based on the Boeing 737-800 airliner.[9]
Non-combat aircraft[edit]
An Italian Air Force Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master used to deliver pilot training for the
latest generation of combat fighter aircraft.
This section needs expansion.
You can help by adding to it. (October
2012)
Non-combat roles of military aircraft include search and rescue,
reconnaissance, observation/surveillance, Airborne Early Warning and
Control, transport, training, and aerial refueling.
Many civil aircraft, both fixed wing and rotary wing, have been produced in
separate models for military use, such as the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner,
which became the military C-47 Skytrain, and British "Dakota" transport
planes, and decades later, the USAF's AC-47 aerial gunships. Even the
fabric-covered two-seat Piper J3 Cub had a military version. Gliders and
balloons have also been used as military aircraft; for example, balloons were
used for observation during the American Civil War and during World War I,
and military gliders were used during World War II to deliver ground troops in
airborne assaults.
Military transport aircraft[edit]
TECHNOLOGY AND THE NATION'S FUTURE
Private firms have the primary responsibility for the development and adoption
of technology in this country, but federal and state governments play an
important role in enhancing civilian technology development and adoption
through their economic, regulatory, and trade policies, their support for
research and development, and their own procurement of technology.
Introduction
As the 20th century draws to a close, the technological landscape is changing. The
United States is now only one of several technologically powerful nations. The end of
the Cold War has heightened the importance of commercial technologies in
maintaining both economic and military security. New technologies depend
increasingly on scientific and engineering knowledge; this interdependence
strengthens the reciprocal links between understanding and capability.
In the United States, technology development and adoption occur through a complex
system that encompasses many individuals and organizations. Researchers in
academic, government, and industrial laboratories create new knowledge on which
many advanced technologies are based. Colleges and universities educate new
generations of scientists and engineers who will put that knowledge to work. Private
companies invest financial and human resources in developing new technologies and
adapting existing technologies to meet perceived needs.
Several key objectives set forth in Academy complex reports can help guide the
development and implementation of public policies related to technology. Among
these objectives are the following:
• Integrate the pursuit of technological, economic, and social objectives by
more explicitly recognizing the effects of public policies on technology
development and adoption.
• Phase out immediately the federal government's conformity-assessment
activities and rely instead on private testing, certification, and
accreditation services that are recognized as competent by the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
• Set benchmarks for private investment, net saving, and productivity
growth.
• Move toward a system in which saving and investment are taxed less and
consumption is taxed more, while the progressivity of the tax structure is
retained.
• By means of cooperative efforts between the federal government and the
private sector, ensure that the United States has world-class capabilities in
technologies that promise to have a major and continuing impact on broad
areas of industrial and economic performance.
• Broaden the use of cryptography in ways that take into account competing
US desires for individual privacy, international economic competitiveness,
law enforcement, national security, and world leadership.
• Support experimentation at the federal, state, and local levels with a wide
range of public and private initiatives for increasing the quantity and
quality of school-to-work transition programs and of job-related training
and continuing education for the nation's workforce.
• Extend protection of intellectual property rights internationally to
maintain current incentives for companies to innovate and invest in
research and development.
• Avoid actions that would deny the United States the benefits of foreign
participation in US research and development when addressing specific
concerns related to foreign competition.
• Increase efforts to open foreign markets to US trade and investment
through negotiation in bilateral and multilateral forums.
Knowing Where You Are
When Captain Scott O'Grady parachuted into Bosnia-Herzegovina after
his F-16 fighter was shot down in 1995, he carried in his vest a portable
radio receiver tuned to a network of 24 satellites known as the Global
Positioning System (GPS). While hiding in the woods, O'Grady used
the receiver to determine his position behind enemy lines—longitude,
latitude, and altitude—to within a few tens of meters, and he was able
to signal that information to the Marines who successfully rescued him.
GPS technology originated in the creation of atomic clocks for studying
relativity and Einsteinian physics. It first found use in military
applications, including the Gulf War. GPS technology became
commercially available a few years ago, and since then the range of its
applications has been exploding. Delivery and emergency vehicles now
use GPS to pinpoint destinations and map their routes. Shipping
companies and private boaters use GPS for navigation. Commercial
airlines have saved billions of dollars by honing their flight plans with
GPS. The current worldwide market for GPS receivers and technology
is already estimated at over $2 billion and is expected to grow to over
$30 billion in the next 10 years.
For more information:
The Global Positioning System: A Shared National Asset;
Recommendations for Technical Improvements and Enhancements,
1995
Aeronautical Technologies
Another industrial enterprise in which government support for basic research and
technology development has contributed substantially to US industrial leadership is
aeronautics. In recent years, foreign aircraft manufacturers have made inroads into
the global aircraft market, to the detriment of US interests. Foreign governments, in
close relationships with their aircraft industries, have invested heavily in the basic
aeronautics research and technology that is necessary for developing and maintaining
a competitive posture, meeting future constraints on air-traffic management, and
reducing the environmental impact of aircraft.
Technology alone does not ensure economic success in the aircraft industry; but
without competitive technology, US manufacturers will fail economically. The
federal government needs to work with commercial interests and universities to
define the aeronautics technologies with the greatest potential payoff and work
in a concerted fashion toward their development. (C-3) Government cannot
adequately address the needs of industry unless industry is involved from the
beginning. By the same token, cooperative programs can be structured so as not to
jeopardize the autonomy of basic research or the constraints of fair trade.
Biomedical Technologies
New biomedical technologies often derive from the combined efforts of the public
and private sectors. Academic, government, and industrial laboratories are all
involved in the development of many new technologies, and ideas and people flow
quickly among all three types of institutions. Efforts to control cost and regulate
health care should be designed to encourage continued technological discovery and
experimentation.
Industrial Systems
How services are provided and goods are produced, delivered, used, and disposed of
affect the environment. An ecology of industry that is characterized by entire systems
of production and consumption is a concept that can be used to enhance
environmental quality. Advances in technology, applied usually by private firms,
present the primary opportunities for improvement within these integrated systems.
There are also opportunities for societies to become less resource-dependent and to
develop and deploy environmentally safer materials, processes, and systems using
technologies that are more environmentally sensitive. Corporate decisions and the
personal choices of consumers are important determinants of environmental quality.
Policymakers need to formulate effective economic incentives to foster a systems
approach to improving environmental quality. (C-5) In particular, they need to
reduce liability barriers and regulatory barriers and develop ways of providing
consumers with credible information about environmental impacts via such
actions as marketing and labeling. (C-6, C-7)
Transportation Infrastructure
The Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV), a cooperative R&D
program between the federal government and the US Council for Automotive
Research, has the goal of developing technologies for a new generation of vehicles
that could achieve fuel mileage up to three times that of comparable 1994 family
sedans. At the same time, the new vehicles should maintain performance, size, utility,
and ownership and operating costs and should meet and exceed federal safety and
emissions requirements. The intent of the program is to develop production prototype
vehicles by 2004. The PNGV program also aims to improve national competitiveness
in manufacturing substantially and to implement commercially sustainable innovation
of conventional vehicles.
The United States enjoys the world's most-effective and most-extensive road
transportation system. Over 175 million passenger cars and light trucks travel more
than 2 billion miles a year on 3.9 million miles of public roads. Some extremely
attractive technologies under consideration for the PNGV have the potential to
introduce large changes in the demands on the infrastructure, which will result in
requirements for new capital, labor, and natural resources. The extent of these
changes will vary widely, depending on body and structural materials, power plants,
and energy-storage systems.
The PNGV must continue to address infrastructure issues as an integral part of
its program. A careful assessment of infrastructure issues associated with
alternative technologies should be an essential part of the technology-selection
process. (C-8)
© 1997 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. This document
may be reproduced solely for individual, non-commercial, and educational purposes
without the written permission of the National Academy of Sciences.
4.
5.
The Dassault Rafale (French pronunciation: [ʁafal], literally meaning "gust of wind",[11] and "burst of fire" in
a more military sense)[12] is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed
and built by Dassault Aviation. Equipped with a wide range of weapons, the Rafale is intended to
perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship
strike and nuclear deterrence missions. The Rafale is referred to as an "omnirole" aircraft by Dassault.
In the late 1970s, the French Air Force and Navy were seeking to replace and consolidate their current
fleets of aircraft. In order to reduce development costs and boost prospective sales, France entered into
an arrangement with UK, Germany, Italy and Spain to produce an agile multi-purpose fighter,
the Eurofighter Typhoon. Subsequent disagreements over workshare and differing requirements led to
France's pursuit of its own development programme. Dassault built a technology demonstrator which
first flew in July 1986 as part of an eight-year flight-test programme, paving the way for the go-ahead of
the project. The Rafale is distinct from other European fighters of its era in that it is almost entirely built
by one country, involving most of France's major defence contractors, such as
Dassault, Thales and Safran.
Many of the aircraft's avionics and features, such as direct voice input, the RBE2 AA active
electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and the optronique secteur frontal infra-red search and
track (IRST) sensor, were domestically developed and produced for the Rafale programme. Originally
scheduled to enter service in 1996, the Rafale suffered significant delays due to post-Cold War budget
cuts and changes in priorities. The aircraft is available in three main variants: Rafale C single-seat land-
based version, Rafale B twin-seat land-based version, and Rafale M single-seat carrier-based version.
Introduced in 2001, the Rafale is being produced for both the French Air Force and for carrier-
based operations in the French Navy. The Rafale has been marketed for export to several countries,
and was selected for purchase by the Indian Air Force, the Egyptian Air Force, and the Qatar Air Force.
The Rafale has been used in combat over Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq and Syria. Several upgrades to
the weapons and avionics of the Rafale are planned to be introduced by 2018.[13]
Over the last decades, air forces have always been the first military component engaged in
all crises or conflicts, from the Falklands to the Gulf, from Bosnia to Kosovo, from
Afghanistan to Libya, and more recently Mali, the Central African Republic, Iraq and Syria.
Military aviation is undoubtedly the most strategic weapon today, both in terms of combat
effectiveness and of critical technologies implemented.
In modern warfare, air dominance from day one is a must, so that air-to-ground and air-to-
sea operations can be conducted safely and efficiently.
In the course of asymmetrical and counter-insurgency conflicts, the air arm also remains at
the forefront of the military effort, its flexibility and firing power helping ensure that allied
forces prevail.
The September 11 events have shown that, in peacetime, it is essential to secure the
national airspace with easily deployable control and air defense assets.
The decisive place of the air component in modern warfare is demonstrated by the
defense strategies decided by those nations who want to keep a leading role on the world
stage.
© A. Jeuland French Air Force
French Air Force Rafale in operations (Opération Harmattan) – Fitted with 6 AASM and
MICA missiles.
The Rafale, with its “Omnirole” capabilities, is the right answer to the capability approach
selected by an increasing number of governments.
It fully complies with the requirement to carry out the widest range of roles with the
smallest number of aircraft.
The Rafale participates in permanent “Quick Reaction Alert” (QRA) / air-defense / air
sovereignty missions, power projection and deployments for external missions, deep strike
missions, air support for ground forces, reconnaissance missions, pilot training sorties and
nuclear deterrence duties.
The Air Force single-seat Rafale C, the Air Force two-seat Rafale B, and the Navy single-
seat Rafale M feature maximum airframe and equipment commonality, and very similar
mission capabilities.
© Dassault Aviation – V. Almansa
Lessons learned from the latest conflicts where air power was used, can be summarized
into four overarching expectations about weapon systems by political decision makers:
( Versatility, that is the capability, with the same system, to perform different
missions,
( Interoperability, or the ability to fight in coalition with the allies, using common
procedures and standards agreements, and collaborating and communicating in
real-time with other systems,
( Flexibility, which can be illustrated by the ability to conduct several different
missions in the course of the same sortie (“Omnirole“capability). With this capability,
it is possible to switch instantly on the demand of a political decision maker, from a
coercion mission (“strike force”) to a preventive mission (a dissuasive low-altitude,
high-speed “show of force”), or even to cancel a mission until the last second
(reversibility),
( Survivability, that is the capability to survive in a dense threat environment thanks
to stealthiness and / or to advanced electronic warfare systems.
© Defence/French Navy
The “Omnirole” Rafale combines all these advantages: it is relevant against both traditional
and asymmetrical threats, it addresses the emerging needs of the armed forces in a
changing geopolitical context, and it remains at the forefront of technical innovation.
Thanks to its versatility, its adaptability and its ability to meet all air mission requirements,
the Rafale is the “poster child” transformational fighter which provides a way forward to air
forces confronted to the requirement of doing “more” with “less”, in an ever-changing
strategic and economic environment.
Of a moderate size, yet extremely powerful, superbly agile and very discrete, the latest
type of combat aircraft from Dassault Aviation does not only integrate the largest and most
modern range of sensors, it also multiplies their efficiency with a technological
breakthrough, the “multi-sensor data fusion”.
General characteristics
• Crew: 1–2
• Length: 15.27 m (50.1 ft)
• Wingspan: 10.80 m (35.4 ft)
• Height: 5.34 m (17.5 ft)
• Wing area: 45.7 m2 (492 ft2)
• Empty weight:
• 10,300 kilograms (22,700 lb) (B)[73][287]
• 9,850 kilograms (21,720 lb) (C)[73][287]
• 10,600 kilograms (23,400 lb) (M)[73][287] ()
• Loaded weight: 15,000 kilograms (33,000 lb) ()
• Max. takeoff weight: 24,500 kilograms (54,000 lb) (B/C/D)
• Fuel capacity: 4,700 kg (10,400 lb) internal for single-seater (C);
4,400 kg (9,700 lb) for two-seater (B)
• Powerplant: 2 × Snecma M88-2 turbofans
◦ Dry thrust: 50.04 kN (11,250 lbf) each
◦ Thrust with afterburner: 75 kN (16,860 lbf[291]) each
Performance
• Maximum speed:
◦ High altitude: Mach 1.8 (1,912 km/h; 1,032 knots)
◦ Low altitude: Mach 1.1 (1,390 km/h; 750 knots)
• Range: >3,700 km (>2,000 nmi) with 3 drop tanks
• Combat radius: >1,852 km (>1,000 nmi) on penetration mission with
two CFTs (2,300 L), three tanks (5,700 L), two SCALP-EG and two
MICA AAMs.
• Service ceiling: 15,235 m (50,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: >304.8 m/s (>60,000 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 328 kg/m2 (67.1 lb/ft2)
• Thrust/weight: 0.988 (100% fuel, 2 EM A2A missile, 2 IR A2A missile)
version B
• Maximum g-load: +9/−3.6g (+11g in emergencies)[64][292][293]
Armament
• Guns: 1× 30 mm (1.2 in) GIAT 30/M791 autocannon with 125 rounds
• Hardpoints: 14 for Air Force versions (Rafale B/C), 13 for Navy version
(Rafale M) with a capacity of 9,500 kg (20,900 lb) external fuel and
ordnance and provisions to carry combinations of:
◦ Missiles:
◦ Air-to-air:
▪ Magic II
▪ MBDA MICA IR or EM
▪ MBDA Meteor (planned)
◦ Air-to-ground:
▪ MBDA Apache
▪ MBDA Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG
▪ AASM-Hammer (SBU-38/54/64)
▪ GBU-12 Paveway II, GBU-22 Paveway III, GBU-24
Paveway III, GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II
▪ AS-30L
▪ Mark 82[294]
◦ Air-to-surface:
▪ MBDA AM 39-Exocet anti-ship missile
◦ Nuclear Deterrence:
▪ ASMP-A nuclear missile
◦ Other:
▪ Thales Damocles targeting pod
▪ Thales AREOS (Airborne Recce Observation System)
reconnaissance pod[295]
▪ Thales TALIOS multi-function targeting pod in the future
(F3R Standard)[296]
▪ Up to 5 drop tanks
▪ Buddy-buddy refuelling pod[73]
Avionics
• Thales RBE2-AA AESA radar
• Thales SPECTRA Electronic Warfare system.
• Thales/SAGEM-OSF Optronique Secteur Frontal infra-red search and
track (IRST) system
6.
https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/military-uses-
space
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militarisation_of_space
Military Uses of Space
During human history, the exploration of space has been based on more than just scientific
potential. People may like to believe that we are exploring the cosmos purely for academic
purposes, but the truth is that space plays a huge role in both offensive and defensive military
planning. In fact, much of the exploration that humans have already achieved would not have
come to pass if it had not been for the military motives that underpin most space missions. Long
before satellites orbited Earth for cell phone calls,global positioning systems , or picture taking,
the military was interested in space. Commercial interest would not come until years later.
While many countries now have space agencies and conduct missions into space, it was the
United States and Russia who first began the competition to reach the stars. In 1957, more than
a decade after World War II, and after the Cold War had been in bloom for years, the "space
race" began. The Cold War—a war of spies and threats, of moves and counter-moves—had
reached a new plateau. Nuclear power had been demonstrated by both superpowers and as
rockets began slowly to become more advanced, space weaponry became the new battleground.
Not only could weapons be placed in space, but powerful cameras could be used for spying on
the enemy. The potential uses for space during the Cold War were numerous and clearly visible.
Each side believed that having weapons in orbit could mean their success in this war and the
destruction of their enemies. Test planes were designed to fly in space, while rockets became
more than just short range missiles. Satellites would soon be designed and the launches would
lead to panic and confusion.
In 1952 branches of the U.S. military, including the air force and the navy, along with private
companies began trying to design planes for space travel. During a time when all planes flew
with propellers, these ideas were unheard of. When the experimental X-15 debuted in 1958, the
craft was far ahead of other planes. For nine years, these three hypersonic, or faster than
sound, planes made more than 200 trips with twelve different pilots. They continued their trips
during the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions. These craft would lead designers to create a
reusable spacecraft that later became the space shuttle. Amazingly, these planes made it into
space and landed back on Earth decades before the space shuttle ever flew.
Ironically, the role these weapons played would become more defensive than offensive. As each
superpower increased its stockpile of nuclear arms and continued its space program, it was
obvious that an attack and destruction of one would lead to the mutual destruction of the other.
Great efforts were made by both sides to keep the mutual destruction from happening while
secretly trying to gain the advantage.
In January 1954, U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles announced the new "Massive
Retaliation" policy. If the Soviet Union attacked, the United States would return the attack with
its huge nuclear arsenal. Despite this, the Cold War would continue to grow in scope, and while
no nuclear weapons were fired, there were plenty of times when this Cold War almost became a
hot one.
Russia Takes the Lead
Three years later, in 1957, America went through one of its biggest nuclear scares. On October 4,
the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite. Even though it was only
the size of a basketball, many believed that a nuclear warhead was onboard and that this was a
Russian attack. During the 98 minutes that it circled Earth, the 83 kilogram (183-pound) ball
showed that the space race was no longer theoretical, or even solely missile based.
In reality, the Soviets had simply beaten the United States to the first satellite launch. No
nuclear warhead was onboard and the only thing given off by Sputnik was a radio transmitter's
beep, proving that the satellite was functioning properly.
The Soviet Union would improve its lead, as it would soon send up Sputnik II, containing a small
dog in its cargo. This was still before any U.S. satellite had been launched. The seriousness of
the situation led Congress to pass the National Aeronautics and Space Act in July 1958. This act
created NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, on October 1 of that year.
The United States would launch satellites of its own, but for years Russia maintained the lead in
the space race. Russia beat the Americans to records for the first person in space, Yuri Gagarin;
the first space walk, Alexei Leonov; and the first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova.
As time went on, the Cold War would continue to visit new levels. A mere year after U.S.
President John F. Kennedy had told Americans to begin building bomb shelters in a letter to Life
magazine, the Cuban missile crisis in 1962 brought the world to the brink of nuclear disaster for
two weeks.
Going to the Moon
It was only the year before when President Kennedy set the bar for the United States—going to
the Moon. He said:
I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out,
of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth. No single space project in
this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range
exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish.
Great skepticism existed as to whether the United States would be able to perform this task in
the time frame that Kennedy had determined. If Americans got there before the Soviets, it
would mean the end of the race and a U.S. victory; if Americans did not get to the Moon before
the Soviets did, the United States would have lost according to Kennedy. The next year, he
further explained his decision, saying: "We have a long way to go in the space race. We started
late. But this is the new ocean, and I believe the United States must sail on it and be in a
position second to none." Kennedy also uttered this now-famous line: "We choose to go to the
Moon. We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not only because
they are easy, but because they are hard."
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Seven years later, on July 20, 1969, U.S. astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin would
be the first men to land on the Moon, and Armstrong would say the now immortal line: "That's
one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." The United States had successfully sent
men to the Moon and back before the Soviets. Despite all the setbacks—President Kennedy's
assassination, astronauts who had died in previous Apollo mishaps, and the United States' start
from the underdog position—Americans had won. The country rejoiced, thinking it had won the
space race. But then a new race began.
The New Race
No longer was the race about who could get their citizens to what location. Instead, the war
became about technology. Defenses against offensive systems, imaging for early warning
systems, and weapon ships for ensuring military victory. The Russians would build Mir, and the
United States would build its Skylab. When the space shuttle was built, the hope was to have
numerous shuttles, keeping one above Earth at all times, and possibly armed with nuclear
weapons. Both sides launched satellites for spying, photography, and communication
interception.
As the years went on, each division of the military would begin to form its own agenda for space
defense and offense. Plans continued to become more complex, until on March 23, 1983, U.S.
President Ronald Reagan introduced a plan for a new defense system, nicknamed Star Wars. In
his speech, the president spoke of the continuing threat of Soviet attack and raised the
question, "What if free people could live secure in the knowledge . . . that we could intercept
and destroy strategic ballistic missiles before they reached our own soil. . . ?" The controversy
began.
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The underlying technology was very new and untested. The idea that the required accuracy to
destroy a missile either with a laser or by colliding another missile with it was too advanced. The
concept was ahead of its time and was never successfully developed during President Reagan's
days in office. Ironically, the animations of this shown on television during that time were
created by the television networks and not by NASA or the government.
During U.S. President Bill Clinton's administration, tests were conducted to try and shoot down a
test missile by hitting it with another. Every test failed. The proposed Missile Defense System or
Missile Defense Shield did not look promising. During the office of U.S. President George W.
Bush, the Missile Defense Shield again became a priority; despite massive cost overruns and
failures, the tests continued.
It was during this time that the Missile Defense Shield had its biggest success and failure. For the
first time, the test worked and the missile was successfully destroyed. However, the proposed
Missile Defense System is in violation of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty that the United
States and Russia both signed. The treaty was one of many between the 1960s and the present
designed to continue moving away from the prospect of nuclear holocaust. President Bush has
stated that he believes the treaty is outdated, and will continue tests in spite of it. Russian
President Vladimir Putin has not agreed to abandon the treaty and is a strong critic of the plan.
As of this writing, each side claims they are willing to make compromises to the treaty, but the
exact form those compromises will take has yet to be seen.
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Another controversial event occurred during President Clinton's term in office when the armed
forces were given the right to attack another spacecraft, whether it be government owned or
privately owned, should it "attempt to hinder the ability of U.S. spacecraft to operate freely in
space." Any such attempted hindrance is now considered to be an attack on the United States
itself. At first, this piece of legislation was destroyed using the line item veto but, on appeal,
the U.S. Supreme Court found the line item veto unconstitutional and this new policy replaces
the one put in place by President Reagan in 1987.
Ever since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia has been struggling to try and keep its space
program afloat. From the costs of upkeep on the Mir space station to the new International
Space Station, the Russian Space Agency has undergone many challenges. In 2001 the
organization was restructured again as Russia continued to cut back on its military space
program. Between cost concerns for the International Space Station and political feelings about
Missile Defense Systems, experts predict that Russia's space program will either undergo a vast
transformation in the coming years or a terrible collapse. Russia and the United States are not
the only countries, however, with space programs.
Today, many different space agencies exist in numerous countries. France has its agency, the
Direction Générale de l'Armement or DGA, while Japan has its own space agency, called NASDA,
or the National Space Development Agency, founded in 1969. Even countries without large space
agencies still have launch sites for military and commercial satellites. Brazil has prime real
estate, near the equator, for launches. (Being closer to the equator means the rocket can leave
Earth having used less fuel.) Many countries are joining together and launching satellites and
rockets by combining their money and resources. It is in this fashion that the International Space
Station is being built. Ironically though, as countries come together to build this station, many
still develop and launch satellites designed for defense against other countries. It indicates that
space exploration may always include a defensive submotive, at least as long as there is
disagreement here on Earth.
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Now, many military officers carry specially modified computer laptops that rely on satellite-
guided data to ensure the positions of themselves, their allies, and their targets. The accuracy
available is so remarkable, it puts the revolutionary GPS to shame. Military satellites with these
abilities can map areas on Earth down to the last inch, and possibly even smaller areas. Full
information on military space capabilities is not made available to the public.
see also Global Positioning System (volume 1); Launch Facilities (volume 4); Military Customers
(volume 1); Space Industries (volume 4)
9.
Having read this, we must likewise admit that our (Indian) education
system calls for a 'makeover'. It is too much information oriented,
which leaves little scope for creativity, inventions and self-learning.
2) Not All jobs are equal – result is the continuing scarcity
of ‘SPARTANS’
Unless you are too rich that formal education doesn’t matter to you
or too pathetic that you can’t afford education, You can’t be JUST
an athlete, or merely a singer, or merely a painter (barring a handful
of exceptions). You accept to be an engineering/medical degree
holder before pursuing what you truly desire. That is some sheer
wastage of human imagination, isn’t it?
Likewise, neither all streams are equal. It gets no sense
that to take science (PCM/B) after 10th grade, you have to score
above 80+ while if you make less than 55%, Arts remains the only
door open for you. It just shows the herd mentality/prejudice that
persists in society about subjects and professions.
3) Shortage of well-trained and motivated teaching staff
Although the minimum salary and prestige may be (and are) the
reasons for this, but the story works well beyond this. Equally it is
hard to explain govt. Schools performing poorer than private
schools where teachers’ pay is comparatively less. It goes with
corruption in appointments to shabby teacher training programs and
rests in a peaceful not demanding ‘permanent’ job without concrete
performance evaluations.
4) Reservation
And yes, if you are a poor (say below poverty line) Brahmin… Best
of luck!
In India-
a.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_submarines_of_the_Indian_Navy
b.) https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/submarines-active
2. http://indianairforce.nic.in/content/fighter-aircrafts