Ceramic Radome Technology [UPSC Notes]

In March 2023, a private sector company, Carborundum Universal Limited (CUMI) signed a “Licensing Agreement for Technology Transfer” with the Defence Research and Develop­ment Organisation (DRDO) for manufacturing ceramic radomes used in aerospace and missile systems.

In this article, you can read about the ceramic radome technology and how it can benefit the Indian defence industry. This is a topic relevant for the IAS exam defence and security segments.

What is Ceramic Radome?

It is considered an essential, state-of-the-art technology for both ballistic and tactical missiles as well as high-performance aircraft. 

• To withstand high temperatu­res during a missile’s journey, radomes located at the tip of a missile protect them.
• The radomes are made of ceramic materials, hence called ceramic radomes.
• The ceramic radomes are indigenously made by Research Centre Imarat (RCI, Hyderabad), DRDO labs in the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex.

Significance of the Partnership

• While the DRDO has its own facility to produce ceramic radomes, a collaboration with CUMI will further help in achieving the scaling up of the process.
• RCI is India’s premier research facility for R&D in the technologies of control engineering, inertial navigation, imaging infrared seekers, radio frequency seekers and systems, on-board computers and mission software.
• The CUMI has about 70 years of experience in producing various defense technologies and materials such as bulletproof vests, using zirconia-toughened alumina and silicon carbide, armoured vehicles, etc.
• CUMI is also one of India’s first companies to produce graphene for aerospace and defense applications.
• It will make India strong and self-reliant in the defense sector.

Way forward: Public-private partnerships in the defense sector to achieve self-reliance and excellence is a welcome sign and needs to be encouraged further. It will also boost our programs such as Make in India, job creation, reduction in defense imports, etc. and save public money.

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