DRDO developing robotic soldiers; Indigenous attack helicopter LCH undergoing sea-level trials off Chennai
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    • According to reports, DRDO is in the process of developing robotic soldiers, which would take a final shape soon. V K Saraswat, Director General, Defence Research and Development Organisation, told that these soldiers are capable of sensing and clearing mines, which would benefit and help all forces and works are going on in Bangalore and Pune units. DRDO is also building a robot mule to carry heavy luggage up to 400 KG to high altitudes. Since soldiers develop many physical problems, the organisation has now started working on high altitudes and carrying out research on how to mitigate these problems, Saraswat said. "We are also developing medicine for them and also working on high altitude agriculture," he added. 1

    In another development, according to reports, the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), which was developed by the Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL), is currently undergoing sea-level trials off Chennai. The trials commenced last week and will last for about 10 more days. The trials will evaluate effects of flying the chopper at sea-level. The Indian Air Force and the Army together are looking at inducting 150 LCHs in the future. The trials are overseen by Wing Commander Unni Pillai, chief test pilot, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). He said the second prototype or Technology Demonstrator (TD-2) of the LCH was being subjected to various tests at the sea-level conditions. Sea trials are part of the process of testing the effectiveness of the aircraft at various altitudes and temperature conditions. Pillai stated, "All the earlier trials were carried out in and around Bangalore which is about 3,000 feet above sea level. Now we are testing the helicopter at the altitude at about 500 feet above sea-level. The performance of the helicopter has been good and so far there have been no surprises." 2

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