India
Defence Electronics Applications Lab
DEAL was founded in 1965 in Mussoorie (Uttar Pradesh); it was then known as the Himalayan Radio Propagation Unit. In 1968, the lab was shifted from Mussoorie to Dehradun (Uttar Pradesh)* and in 1976 renamed as the Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL). Since then, DEAL has expanded into a “major system laboratory” of the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
*Dehradun is now the capital of Uttaranchal, a new province that was carved out of Uttar Pradesh province in November 2000.
DEAL has developed:
- “Jam-resistant data links for applications in real-time transmission of battlefield information for effective control of airborne platforms, target tracking and acquisition, and also in reconnaissance and surveillance using remotely piloted vehicles.”
- Microwave scanning antenna, which is part of the “terminal guidance system” used in ballistic missiles developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.
- Command transmitter for the naval version of the Trishul short-range surface-to-air missile system.
Glossary
- Ballistic missile
- A delivery vehicle powered by a liquid or solid fueled rocket that primarily travels in a ballistic (free-fall) trajectory. The flight of a ballistic missile includes three phases: 1) boost phase, where the rocket generates thrust to launch the missile into flight; 2) midcourse phase, where the missile coasts in an arc under the influence of gravity; and 3) terminal phase, in which the missile descends towards its target. Ballistic missiles can be characterized by three key parameters - range, payload, and Circular Error Probable (CEP), or targeting precision. Ballistic missiles are primarily intended for use against ground targets.
Sources
[1] Defence Research & Development Organisation, “Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory,” www.drdo.org.
[2] Dr. N.C. Birla and B.S. Murthy, eds., “Seekers, Antennas, Pyrosystems, Devices, and Electronic Subsystems,” Indian Defence Technology: Missile Systems (DRDO, Ministry of Defence, December 1998), pp. 173, 178-179.