1 hr ago
DRDO Floats SHIELD Programme to Test Drone Vulnerabilities
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation wants companies to help build a system called SHIELD.
SHIELD would test how powerful microwave signals affect drones.
It is a testing platform, not a weapon intended for immediate battlefield use.
Researchers could use it to study damage to drone electronics, sensors and communication equipment.
The system would use powerful amplifiers made with Gallium Nitride technology.
It is designed to be modular, meaning parts can be adapted for different tests.
Earlier DRDO trials reportedly disabled quadcopter drones from one kilometre away.
The programme is part of India's effort to develop its own counter-drone and electronic-warfare technology.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) issued a Request for Proposal for the SHIELD microwave evaluation system.
SHIELD is intended to test how high-power microwaves affect drone electronics, sensors and communications under controlled conditions.
The proposed system will use modular, scalable Gallium Nitride-based Solid State Power Amplifiers.
It is expected to produce a far-field peak electric field strength of at least 3 kV/m.
The programme builds on earlier DRDO tests that reportedly disabled quadcopter drones at a range of one kilometre.
- Who
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation and Indian start-ups, MSMEs and private defence firms invited to bid.
- What
- A Request for Proposal for the SHIELD High-Power Microwave Integrated Evaluation System for Lethality and Damage.
- Where
- India; the system is intended for controlled testing environments.
- When
- The articles do not provide a specific issue date for the Request for Proposal.
- Why
- To evaluate drone vulnerabilities and support indigenous development of directed-energy and electronic-warfare technologies.
Key facts
- Programme
- SHIELD, or High-Power Microwave Integrated Evaluation System for Lethality and Damage
- Technology
- Gallium Nitride-based Solid State Power Amplifiers
- Expected field strength
- At least 3 kV/m in the far field
- Primary purpose
- Controlled evaluation of microwave effects on drone electronics, sensors and communications
- Funding framework
- Technology Development Fund scheme
- Earlier test result
- DRDO previously reported disabling quadcopter drones at a range of one kilometre
- Intended industry participants
- Start-ups, micro, small and medium enterprises, and private firms
Sources
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