Focus: GS III- Science and Technology (developments and their applications and effects in everyday life)
Why in News?
Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System (EPRS) and Pinaka Area Denial Munition (ADM) rocket systems have been successfully flight-tested by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Army at Pokhran Firing Ranges.
Details:
- A total of 24 EPRS rockets were fired for different ranges during the last fortnight. Required accuracy and consistency was achieved by the rockets meeting all trial objectives satisfactorily.
- With these trails, the initial phase of technology absorption of EPRS by the industry has successfully been completed and the industry partners are ready for user trials/series production of the rocket system.
- The Pinaka rocket system has been developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune supported by High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, another Pune-based laboratory of DRDO.
- The EPRS is the upgraded version of Pinaka variant which has been in service with the Indian Army for the last decade.
About Pinaka Rocket System
- Pinaka is an indigenous Multi-Barrel Rocket Launch System, which has been developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for the Indian Army.
- The development of the Pinaka was started by the DRDO in 1980s.
- Pinaka Rocket System was developed as an alternative to the Multi-Barrel Rocket Launching systems of Russian make, called the ‘Grad’.
- The Pinaka Mark-1 was first used in the battlefield during the Kargil War of 1999, quite successfully.
- The subsequently multiple regiments of the system came up over the 2000s.
- The initial version of weapon system was called Mark I, which had a range of 40 km. The upgraded version or Pinaka Mark II has an extended range of 70 to 80 km.
- The Development of Enhanced Pinaka system was taken up to achieve longer range performance compared to earlier design with reduced length.
- The Enhanced version of the Pinaka rocket would replace the existing Pinaka Mk-I rockets which are currently under production.
- The design and development has been carried out by Pune based DRDO laboratories, namely Armament Research and Development Establishment, ARDE and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, HEMRL.
- Its weapon system has a state of the art guidance kit bolstered by an advanced navigation and control system.
- The Pinaka Mark II Rocket is modified as a missile by integrating with the navigation, control and guidance system to improve the accuracy and enhance the range.
- The navigation system of the missile is aided by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
About DRDO
- DRDO is the Research and Development wing of Ministry of Defence, Govt of India.
- DRDO with a vision 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 requirements laid down by the three Services.
- DRDO was formed in 1958 by the merger of the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production of the Indian Ordnance Factories with the Defence Science Organisation.
- DRDO’s motto is “Strength’s Origin is in Knowledge” (in Sanskrit बलस्य मूलं विज्ञानम्).
- DRDO Hq is in New Delhi.
