The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) (Hindi: रक्षा अनुसंधान एवं विकास संघठन, Rakṣā Anusandhān evaṃ Vikās Saṃghaṭhan) is one of Asia's largest defence contractors and a leading aerospace manufacturer, headquartered in New Delhi, India. It was formed in 1958 by the merger of Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production with the Defence Science Organisation.

DRDO has a network of 51 laboratories which are deeply engaged in developing defence technologies covering various disciplines, like aeronautics, armaments, electronic and computer sciences, human resource development, life sciences, materials, missiles, combat vehicles development and naval research and development. The organization includes more than 5,000 scientists and about 25,000 other scientific, technical and supporting personnel.

Projects

Aeronautics

• The DRDO is responsible for the ongoing Light Combat Aircraft program. A 4.5th generation jet fighter, the LCA is intended to provide the Indian Air Force with a modern, Fly by wire, multi-role fighter, as well as develop aviation industry in India. The program has been ambitious, with time and cost over-runs as in similar programs worldwide. The LCA program has allowed DRDO to progress substantially in field of avionics , flight control systems, aircraft propulsion and composite structures, along with aircraft design and development.
• The DRDO provided key avionics for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI program under the "Vetrivel" program. Systems developed by DRDO include Radar warning receivers, Radar and Display Computers. DRDO's radar computers, manufactured by HAL are also being fitted to Malaysian Su-30 MKM .
• The DRDO is part of the Indian Air Force's upgrade programs for its MiG-27 and Sepecat Jaguar combat aircraft upgrades, along with the manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. DRDO and HAL have been responsible for the system design and integration of these upgrades, which combine indigenously developed systems along with imported ones. DRDO contributed subsystems like Tarang Radar warning receiver, Tempest Jammer, Core Avionics Computers, Brake prachutes, Cockpit instrumentation and displays.

Avionics

The DRDO's avionics program has been a success story; its Mission computers, radar warning receivers, high accuracy direction finding pods, airborne jammers, flight instrumentation, are used across a wide variety of Indian Air Force aircraft. The organization began developing these various items for its upgrades, and for the LCA project. Variants were then developed for other aircraft. The lead designer in several of these efforts has been DARE, or the Defence Avionics Research Establishment, DRDO's designated mission avionics laboratory. Other laboratories have also chipped in, from the radar specialist LRDE, to Electronic warfare focused DEAL to the ADE, which develops UAVs and flight control systems. The DRDO is also codeveloping more advanced avionics for the Light Combat Aircraft and the IAF's combat fleet. These include a range of powerful Open Architecture computers, better Defensive avionics including modern RWR's, Self protection jammers, Missile approach warning systems and integrated defensive suites, Optronics systems (such as Infrared search and track systems) and navigational systems such as Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial navigational systems. Other items under development include digital Map generators, a Modern multi-mode fire control radar (the LCA-MMR), Helmet mounted displays and Smart multifunctional displays.

Other Hindustan Aeronautics Limited programs

Apart from the aforementioned upgrades, DRDO has also assisted Hindustan Aeronautics with its programs. These include the HAL Dhruv helicopter and the HAL HJT-36. Over a hundred LRU (Line Replaceable Unit)'s in the HJT-36 have come directly from the LCA program. Other duties have included assisting the Indian Air Force with indigenization of spares and equipment. These include both mandatory as well as other items.

Unmanned aerial vehicles

The DRDO has also developed two unmanned aerial vehicles- the Nishant (Restless in Hindi) tactical UAV and the Lakshya (Target in Sanskrit) Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA). The Lakshya PTA has been ordered by all three services for their gunnery target training requirements. Efforts are on to develop the PTA further, with an improved all digital flight control system, and a better turbojet engine to be manufactured at HAL. The Nishant is a hydraulically launched short ranged UAV for the tactical battle area, and 12 units have been ordered by the Indian Army. It is currently being evaluated by the Indian Navy and the Indian Paramilitary forces as well. The Indian Air Force is unlikely to order the type since it is a tactical UAV and does not meet their requirements for a long range, high endurance UAV with a heavy payload. The DRDO is also going ahead with its plans to develop a new class of UAVs. These draw upon the experience gained via the Nishant program, and will be substantially more capable. Referred to by the HALE (High Altitude Long Endurance) and MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) designations, these two UAVs will see a consortium approach, with DRDO being supported by partner laboratories including the National Aerospace Laboratories, and private and public firms, including Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.. The MALE has been tentatively named the Rustom,[6] in honor of Dr Rustom Damania of NAL, and will feature canards and carry a range of payloads, including optronic, radar, laser designators and ESM. The MALE, will have conventional landing and take off capability. The HALE UAV will have features like SATCOM links, allowing it to be commanded beyond line of sight. Other tentative plans speak of converting the LCA into a UCAV (unmanned combat aerial vehicle), and weaponizing UAVs.

Indigenization efforts

DRDO has been responsible for the indigenization of key defence stores and equipment. Indian Air Force pilots use DRDO developed g-suits, flight suits overalls, helmets, oxygen masks, gloves and automatic inflatable life jackets.

DRDO has assisted Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and the IAF with the indigenization of spares and assemblies for several aircraft. DRDO laboratories have worked in coordination with academic institutes, the CSIR and even ISRO over projects required for the Indian Air Force and its sister services. DRDO's infrastructure is also utilized by other research organizations in India.