Non-destructive testing key for missile systems, says BrahMos DG | Hyderabad News
Hyderabad: Autonomous weapons systems, such as indigenously manufactured Brahmos missiles, have changed the nature of conflicts in recent years, as was evident during Operation Sindoor last year.In an interaction with TOI, Dr Jaiteerth Joshi, director general of Brahmos DRDO, and MD and CEO of Brahmos Aerospace, said: “We are pioneers in rocketry. We have come a long way from Tipu Sultan’s period, when indigenous rockets with 2kg propellant were invented, to now where we target our adversaries deep inside their territories with pin-point accuracy.”Joshi, who unveiled a 1:1 scale model of the Brahmos missile at the BM Birla Science Centre on Monday, stressed on the role and evolution of testing technology in India. “On one side there is manufacturing, and on the other there is ‘testing technology’, which is equally important. Missiles are not tested on a day-to-day basis. We manufacture and store missiles for 20-25 years, but they should be ready to use at any given time. We cannot test them at the time of launch. This is where non-destructive testing (NDT), plays a crucial role.“A missile has to have an assured life of 20-25 years, so we conduct a lot of testing (to keep them ready). Like we do ultrasound for humans, for missile we have tomography and magnetic particle inspection.”The Brahmos DG, who is also the president of Indian Society of Non-Destructive Testing (ISNT), said a robust testing mechanism requires rigorous training. “At ISNT, we provide NDT training through our 19 chapters across the country. We hold training courses for sectors such as atomic energy, space, defence and at public and private organisations such as MDL, HEMRL, MIDHANI, BARC among many others. The requirement for NDT is such that we are accrediting private agencies to impart training, while we hold the exams.”The Chennai-headquartered non-profit — a professional body of scientists, academics and researchers — provides certifications to students in NDT. “People have realised the importance of industry-ready engineers. We have lakhs of students passing out as engineers with very low skill levels. When I recruit them, I have to train them for two years to make them usable. To bridge this gap, ISNT provides certifications in NDT that gives them skills for life. This way, they don’t have to go job hunting. Recruiters come looking for them,” Joshi told TOI.“ISNT is also gearing up for the 36th annual conference on non-destructive evaluation in Hyderabad from Nov 15 to 17. The interest is such that more than 2,000 delegates from 20 countries are participating, with a lot of equipment on display,” he said.Brahmos evincing more interestWhen asked what next after export deals for Brahmos missiles to the Philippines and Vietnam, Joshi said, “A lot countries, including some others from south-east Asia have shown interest. We have to see how many things we can conclude in the upcoming Aero India in Bengaluru in Feb next year. A lot of potential buyers have said they will come and visit us.”On the development of the next-generation Brahmos NG version, which was reportedly to be flight tested in 2025, Joshi said the super-sonic cruise missile is in simulation stage, which will be followed by ground testing. “A flight test can be expected in around two years. In the NG version, we are trying to come out of regular metallic structure to a composite structure, so that it becomes lighter and sleeker, and is able to carry more payload and fuel with an extended range.”
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