The Indian DRDO Laser Science and Technology Centre (LASTEC) has reportedly developed a non-lethal "Laser Dazzler".

LASTEC Associate Director A K Maini told PTI that the new gun was designed to "disorient a soldier or terrorist without causing any collateral damage".

The Laser Dazzler emits a temporary blinding beam that allows security forces to safely subdue a hostile individual. The stun gun, which has a flash beam diameter of 2-3 meters, is slated to undergo testing by the Indian army during various counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

The DRDO has also announced plans to develop missiles that are lighter and less costly than current indigenous models.

An independent centre for composite testing and evaluation is being established at the Hyderabad-based Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) -- which was primarily responsible for designing the long-range Agni missile. Avinash Chander, Director of the Laboratory under DRDO, explained that the ASL already maintains a composites production centre (Comproc) responsible for the fabrication of lightweight missile material. However, Chander noted that the ASL wanted to make "all the stages of the Agni missile composite structured". X

Indeed, although the payload and a small portion (nose tip) of the Agni is manufactured out of composites, the rest of the projectile is metallic. The ASL envisions an airframe, upper stage and payload composed entirely of composite materials.

Earlier this month, the IT Examiner reported that Indian scientists had developed a unique chromium metal coating that increased the range of missiles and launch vehicles by up to 40 percent. G Jagadeesh, an assistant professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), explained that projectiles traveling at hypsersonic velocities encounter atmospheric drag due to friction. According to Jagadeesh, the chromium covering signifcantly reduces drag by "adding temporary heat and pushing the stagnating gas away to create an easier path". 

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Press Trust of India
Business Line
IT Examiner