http://gulftoday.ae/portal/4b86e961-d7f5-4d8f-af7a-78858b5d3f74.aspx
CHENNAI: India’s first unmanned, remote-controlled army tank is ready. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), “Muntra” can be deployed for surveillance, mine detection or reconnaissance in areas with nuclear and bio threats.
Three types of remote-controlled vehicles are designed like armoured tanks. Muntra-S is used for unmanned surveillance missions and Muntra-N for operation in areas of possible nuclear radiation or bio weapon risk. Munta-M handles detection of mines.
Essentially developed for the Army, it could also be used by paramilitary forces in areas infested by Maoist terrorists, especially in the forest areas.
Muntra (Mission Unmanned Tracked) will be part of the Army’s Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) located in Avadi, Chennai. At a DRDO exhibition organised as a tribute to former President APJ Abdul Kalam at CVRDE, two of the new tanks was a prominent display item.
The exhibition also showcased CCPT vehicle which is a remote command centre, helmet-mounted night vision, nano-driven thermal and electromagnetic protection and other laser weapons.
DRDO sources said the tank was tested successfully at Mahajan field firing range in Rajasthan under dusty desert conditions at a time when temperatures were as high as 52C. It withstood the heat, showing its strength. The vehicle was comfortably tele-operated.
The tank has surveillance radar, an integrated camera along with laser range finder which can be used to spy on ground target 15 kilometres away.
At a media interaction on the sidelines of three-day scientific exhibition DRDO Chairman S. Christopher said export of Indian defence products is being keenly pursued. “We are in talks with a few friendly foreign nations. When Indian Army upgrades to the latest technology, the older systems become redundant. These systems have overseas market,” he said.
DRDO officials confirmed India is eyeing export of light combat aircraft, unmanned aircraft such as Rustom-1 and Rustom-2/Tapas and the small Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWAC) plane for surveillance. Missile variants like Astra and the Pinaka Mark 1 and 2 versions are also under consideration.
Christopher said the organisation was working on installing AWAC for A330 aircraft. The system is now perfected for use on a smaller Embraer plane.