The Controlled Aerial Delivery System Was Demonstrated By DRDO:

• The Controlled Aerial Delivery System was demonstrated in flight by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE).
• The system had a capacity of 500 kg (CADS-500).
• The flight demonstration was one of several activities commemorating the `Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.`
• At Malpura`s Drop Zone, the system`s performance was demonstrated from a height of 5000 metres.
• This system was recovered from an AN32 plane. In autonomous mode, it was then guided to a predetermined landing site.
• Eleven paratroopers from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force pursued the system in the air and landed at the same time.
• ADRDE is known as the "Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE)."
• It is a DRDO laboratory in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. The research conducted by ADRDE includes the development of heavy-lifting devices, towed targets, braking parachutes, aerostats, and aircraft arrester barriers.

• The CADS-500 is intended to deliver payloads weighing up to 500 kg to a predetermined location with pinpoint accuracy.
• It accomplishes these tasks by utilising the Ram Air Parachute`s manoeuvrability (RAP).
• During flight, it also uses the Global Positioning System to obtain coordinates, as well as altitude and direction sensors to determine heading.

Indigenous Armoured Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle

• These next-generation vehicles were accepted into the Army`s Corps of Engineers at a ceremony in Pune.
• The indigenous Armoured Engineer Reconnaissance vehicle was designed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
• It was created in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited, Pune, by the Ordnance Factory Medak.
• The Indian Army has placed an order for 53 AERVs.
• Individual engineering formations, primarily on the Western front, will be deployed with these vehicles.

• In order to carry out engineering operations, the vehicle can conduct reconnaissance of water impediments and marshy patches.
• It can also conduct reconnaissance and provide force commanders with real-time updates. It will supplement the Indian Army`s current "engineer reconnaissance capabilities."
• Vehicles would be a game changer in supporting mechanised operations in any future conflict.

• The AERV was developed by modifying the amphibious infantry fighting vehicle BMP-II.
• The vehicle was designed to meet the tactical and combat requirements of military engineers conducting terrestrial and underwater surveys in difficult terrain.

 Pralay Flight-Tested:

• The Pralay ballistic missile was tested on Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
• The missile took the desired quasi-ballistic trajectory and landed with pinpoint accuracy on the target. As a result, the algorithms for control, guidance, and mission were validated.
• Pralay is a short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a canister (SRBM). It was developed for use on the battlefield by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
• This missile combines technologies developed for the exoatmospheric interceptor missile Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) and the tactical missile Prahaar.
• The Pralay project was approved in March 2015, with a budget of Rs 332.88 crore.
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) began working on this project in 2015. Later, the missile was given the name Pralay.

• Pralay has a range of 150 to 500 kilometres and can hit the target with an accuracy of about 10 metres or less.
• It can be launched using a mobile launcher.
• It has a guidance system with cutting-edge navigation mechanisms and integrated avionics.
• It`s a solid-fuel missile with a flight path that`s similar to that of a ballistic missile.
• The missile can perform mid-air manoeuvres to defeat anti-ballistic missile (ABM) interceptors by using a manoeuvrable reentry vehicle (MaRV).
• It is capable of transporting high explosive preformed fragmentation warheads weighing 350 kg to 700 kg, as well as Runway Denial Penetration Submunition (RDPS) and Penetration-Cum-Blast (PCB) (PCB).

Defence Current Affairs December 3rd Week 2021