DRDO Developing Ejectable Rocket Ignition Tech to Improve Pinaka MkIII's Efficiency, Range, and Rapid Reloading

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on a new technology called an "Ejectable Rocket Ignition System."

This innovative project aims to significantly enhance the capabilities of the Pinaka MkIII, the next version of India's domestically produced multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system.

The development is being led by DRDO's Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) located in Pune, showcasing India's continued efforts to advance its defence technology and strengthen its artillery forces.

While precise technical details about the ejectable system have not been released, its primary goal is expected to be the refinement of how the Pinaka MkIII rockets ignite. This could lead to more consistent and controlled rocket propulsion.

Unlike traditional ignition systems that remain part of the rocket, an ejectable system would likely detach after launch. This separation could offer several advantages, such as reducing the rocket's weight during flight, potentially leading to better fuel efficiency and allowing for a greater range or a larger payload.

Furthermore, such a design could improve safety during handling and storage and critically enable faster reloading times in battlefield conditions, supporting the Indian Army's plans for an Integrated Rocket Force.

The Pinaka MkIII rocket system itself is currently reported to be in the manufacturing stage. It is being designed with the ambition to surpass existing systems like Russia's BM-30 Smerch. The MkIII will utilize solid-fuel 300mm rockets intended to carry various types of warheads over considerable distances.

Integrating the new ejectable ignition system is part of a wider DRDO initiative to incorporate advanced features into the Pinaka platform, which also includes guidance kits, systems for trajectory correction, and research into ramjet propulsion technology in collaboration with IIT Madras.

These combined efforts are aimed at ensuring the Pinaka MkIII not only meets its target range of over 120 kilometres but also delivers accuracy and flexibility in diverse combat situations.

The project is being pursued actively, indicating its importance, although a specific completion date has not been announced. Based on DRDO's past pace with Pinaka enhancements, trials for the new ignition system might occur within the next six months.

Future dynamic testing will be crucial to confirm the system functions correctly during high-speed launches, ensuring it works seamlessly with the Pinaka MkIII's expected high velocity (potentially up to Mach 4.7) and operational altitude (up to 40 km).

The successful development of this technology would represent a significant step forward for India's indigenous artillery capabilities.

 

HAL Advances Tejas Mk1A Jet's Final Firing and EW Trials as Arrival of New GE F-404 Engine Clears Path for IAF Delivery

Pakistan Plans Chinese Z-10ME Helicopter Fleet Expansion with Turkish Weapons to Counter India's Massive LCH Prachand Acquisition

[darkmatter]

So it is a 2 stage rocket motor?? "Electable rocket motor"- only a fancy name

 

[Pankajrai]

Proud of DRDO for developing a world class rocket artillery system . Incoming years the Pinaka Rocket system will certainly lead the world . The development must go on (Pinaka lll , lV ,V ) in a cost effective way which is our USP.

 

[Abs29]

Hmmm! By the description, it seems to be a fancy name for technology that is somewhat trying to emulate Boeing/Saab's GLSDB system. It also incorporates an ejectable rocket motor, after which the munition separates and deploys wings to glide to target.

 

[coke]

What happened to Solar Industries Maheshwarastra 1 and 2? They were going to unveil them in July 2024 and December 2024.

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

The launcher must be investigated for incorporating 12 rockets instead of 8 to prevent frequent loading, trying various combinations and weight which the chassis can support without losing stability or speed during operations.

 

[Sridhar]

Hmmm! By the description, it seems to be a fancy name for technology that is somewhat trying to emulate Boeing/Saab's GLSDB system. It also incorporates an ejectable rocket motor, after which the munition separates and deploys wings to glide to target.

That's what it looks like. More to do with accuracy rather than significant increase in range.

 

[Sandeep]

What happened to Solar Industries Maheshwarastra 1 and 2? They were going to unveil them in July 2024 and December 2024.

Still developing/testing it.

 

[Abs29]

That's what it looks like. More to do with accuracy rather than significant increase in range.

Yup. That's been the pattern if you observe Indian thrust to incorporate guidance on dumb Pinaka rockets as well and develop a whole range of precision guided munitions like SAAW and Sudarshan LGB etc. Although nobody would openly accept it nor confirm it, if rumours are to be believed India has decided to transition from a counter value targeting deterrence to a more proactive counter force targeting, which kind of explains the sudden thrust to incorporate a greater level of accuracy in all weapon systems.

 

[Sandeep]

Developing an ejectable rocket ignition system will help the thrust and launch the rocket more steadily.

 

[Shiva]

As of now, Pinaka had not come into the focus of DRDO. It was low price and high performance. But now DRDO has started focusing. God knows how much its cost will escalate and how it will slow down and hamper other R&D activities of the existing team. Once DRDO enters, then the slowdown will start and no more qualitative world-class products at affordable prices will we see in the future. From now, all costly products, with slow versioning and no usefulness to IA, IN or IAF.

 

[soothsayer]

I do not know Pinaka, but the description is mis-interpreted, profusely. The term "Ejectable Rocket Ignition System" is considered by some as "Ejectable Rocket", which is half truth about the term, mentioned in the article. There is no ejectable rocket, as quoted by some as 2-stage rocket,.... Which is incorrected.
It seems author is talking about Ejectable ignition system. Advantages mentioned includes weight saving, better fuel efficiency, greater range, larger payload, consistent & controlled rocket propulsion. However, each claims are flawed. Weight of ignition system is less than 1% of total launch weight of any rocket. This negligible weight saving cannot give greater range, larger payload, or so called better fuel efficiency. Ignition system is to ignite fuel and its role in propulsion is not there.
Overall, purpose of the article is vague and the described technology of Ejectable ignition is already a proven technology. The comments in thread are also quite misleading. Regards