PUNE: Samir Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), on Thursday, announced that the organisation is developing Radiation Absorbent Materials (RAM), a special type of composite material, to meet the stealth requirements of the under-development 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Kamat emphasised that these composite materials have enhanced the sturdiness of the Tejas fighter aircraft and have also contributed to achieving longer missile ranges in recent projects.
He inaugurated a two-day conference titled “Innovative Technologies in Composites,” which was jointly organised by the Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) and the Indian Society for Advancement of Materials and Process Engineering in Pune.
Kamat said, “DRDO has been an early adopter of composite technology in the country. A prime example is our Tejas aircraft, which contains 45% composites by weight in its airframe. Notably, 90% of its visible surface area is made up of composites. This has significantly enhanced the aircraft’s sturdiness, even though it was not originally designed for stealth, compared to contemporary fighters in the same class.”
“We are now advancing to the AMCA, a fifth-generation stealth aircraft. Here, composites, along with shaping techniques and the RAM and RAP materials we are developing, will play a crucial role in fulfilling the stealth requirements of the aircraft,” Kamat added.
The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the project to design and develop the AMCA jet on March 7, 2024. The AMCA is a fifth-generation, medium-weight stealth fighter jet being developed by the DRDO under a project valued at approximately Rs 15,000 crore.
He also mentioned that their missile program integrated composite technology early on as well.
“Previously, most of our rocket motor casings were made from maraging steel. By adapting to composite motor casings, we improved our capabilities, particularly in our strategic programs aimed at achieving longer ranges,” he noted.
Kamat pointed out that the Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) has been a key driver in advancing composite technology within the organisation.
“The laboratory has utilised composites for various applications, including bridging, sonar domes, and in constructing ships and submarines, large structures that would have been challenging to develop with a focus solely on autoclave-based manufacturing,” he explained.
He also highlighted that other laboratories are actively working on various composite materials.
“However, we need to explore additional composite options. Ceramic matrix composites, carbon fibre silicon carbide, and silicon carbide materials will be essential for our hypersonic missile and aero engine programs going forward. Currently, we are still in the preliminary stages in this area,” Kamat elaborated.
Additionally, he mentioned that the organisation has established centres of excellence at 15 locations to collaborate with academia and industry to find solutions in this specialised field.
“DRDO’s work on bulletproof jackets and armour protection is another critical area where we use ultra-high molecular weight polyethene fibres. Currently, we rely on imports for these fibres, which indicates significant potential for domestic fibre development,” Kamat added.
