As we celebrate Indian Navy Day on 04 December, the Navy is undergoing a silent and significant transformation by integrating innovative technologies to enhance its operational capabilities for enhancing maritime security. This evolution is driven by initiatives aligned with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision by emphasising self-reliance and indigenous development. This transformation aims to improve the Navy’s capabilities and capacity building and reduce the reliance on imports in the coming years. Today, 75% of its future fleet is being developed in Indian shipyards, let us explore a few innovations that can help the transformation of our Naval force.
Jetpack Suits
With the advent of Jetpack Suits, tasks like Search and Rescue (SAR), boarding ships, special operations by MARCOS, disaster response, mine detection, ship-to-shore commute, maintenance inspections and negotiating shore terrains can be done effectively. Absolute Composites, a Bengaluru-based company, is at the forefront of developing jetpack suits tailored for the Indian Armed Forces. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is also working on a prototype that utilises battery-driven electric duct fans (EDFs).
Autonomous Vessels
The Indian Navy is making significant advancements in developing and deploying autonomous vessels, enhancing its operational capabilities in maritime security. Through initiatives like the A-FIBs, Jalkapi AUV, ULAUV project, and XLUUV development, the Navy aims to leverage innovative technologies that improve operational efficiency. These vessels can perform surveillance and reconnaissance, mine countermeasures (MCM), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), search and rescue (SAR), logistics and supply missions and combat missions. This endeavour comes with many advantages, like operations in hostile environments, increased endurance, dedicated capabilities, stealthy design, modular production and economical operations. Teaming unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs)/ autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) with manned vessels for missions may happen in the near future.
Underwater Spoofing Systems
Underwater spoofing refers to the act of deceiving underwater sensor networks (UWSNs) of the enemy or manipulating or falsifying data in maritime environments, particularly concerning navigation and identification systems. Effective usage of these spoofers can terrorise shore-based enemy infrastructure and enemy fleets at sea by creating zombie vessels and location manipulation. This is an ECM kind of technique in the sonar spectrum that can help both offensive and defensive underwater operational tactics. It is also incumbent on the Indian Navy to develop systems that could counter the underwater deceptions emanating from adversaries. Saab and GMV are collaborating in an EU-funded project to develop underwater anti-spoofing to strengthen underwater warfare operations. This is one area that DRDO and domestic startups have ignored for years.
Smart and Intelligent Clothing
Smart uniforms, or “smart couture,” involve incorporating advanced materials and technologies into uniform clothing. Smart integrated military fabrics and garments (SIMFG) include features such as temperature regulation, moisture management and embedded sensors for monitoring health metrics. The goal is to create uniforms that adapt to environmental conditions and enhance the soldier’s performance. They could be fire-resistant, stealthy, bulletproof, waterproof, and breathable materials and have should anti-microbial properties. They may also have UV shielding and adequate insulation as per the mission requirements. Apart from all these physical requirements, there is a need to integrate technology elements into clothing towards making it smart, like sensors, GPS and navigation, antennas, communications accessories, power supply storage/sources, and even embedded electronics/IC chips. Even lightweight exoskeleton components reduce fatigue and enhance ergonomics for improved mobility and comfort. DRDO is currently developing an exoskeleton technology that enhances the capabilities of soldiers, effectively turning them into ‘super warriors’.
Smart Wearables
Wearable technologies for armed forces are innovative and offer significant enhancements in operational efficiency and situational awareness. Smart watches, smart eyewear, heads-up displays, and even exoskeletons fall into this category. Enablers like vital body parameter sensors, stress and fatigue monitors and injury detectors are currently available in the market. Many startups are working on smart helmets with Integrated microphones and earpieces, smartwatches and wristbands for navigation. Headgear with operational alerts, tactical information, body-worn radio communication and heads-up displays (HUDs) with mission-critical information, integrated with night vision is now available in the market for customisation. Thermal imaging systems, smart goggles with real-time video feeds/VR/AR and even exoskeletons to enhance mobility and physical endurance in challenging environments are being developed by startups worldwide. Even periodic medical fitness tests and monitoring vitals of sailors before missions can be done away with in due course of time. The global military wearables market size was valued at USD 7.83 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to USD 10.18 billion by 2030. DRDO has already unveiled the Digital Soldier as a System (DSaaS) concept, designed to significantly enhance the capabilities and survivability of soldiers on modern battlefields.
IoT/IoBT
The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionising the armed forces by enabling seamless connectivity among devices, personnel, vehicles and weapons systems. This networked approach often referred to as the Internet of Battlefield Things (IoBT) can establish command and control of every element used in warfare including men. By instituting digital twinning we can enhance real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, personnel health management and situational awareness. IoT technologies are transforming the way the Navy conducts its operations and missions. Health monitoring of weapon systems, remote operations, vessels and fleet management, RFID-based supply chain and logistics management are a few of the many applications that work on connected sensors.
Cognitive Systems
Cognitive systems refer to technology platforms that leverage AI and ML to simulate human thought processes, enabling enhanced data analysis and decision-making by interaction with knowledge-based expert systems and applications. Apart from autonomous platforms, AI can power real-time data analysis of sensor data and support applications like predictive analytics, image analysis and ML-based pattern recognition. Logistics and supply chain optimisation, target detection and recognition, threat analysis, data mining and natural language processing are a few of the many applications the Navy can explore. Integration of expert systems in health care can meet the challenges at high seas / remote locations and save human lives. Autonomous threat detection and cybersecurity systems would ensure 24×7 network security and data protection.
Decision Support Systems and Combat Management Systems
The incorporation of Decision Support Systems (DSS) and Combat Management Systems (CMS) in the Navy represents a significant advancement in naval warfare capabilities, enabling commanders to make timely and informed decisions in complex and dynamic environments. DSS aids commanders in making decisions during missions by analysing vast amounts of data presented with actionable insights. DSS encompasses data fusion, creates scenario simulations and can perform threat analysis. CMS being the central nervous system of a warship, is designed to automate and streamline combat operations, it performs critical functions like sensor fusion, weapon control, real-time decision-making, and supports command and control.
Blockchain and Data Security
Blockchain technology is emerging as a transformative force in military operations, offering numerous applications that can enhance efficiency, security, and transparency within armed forces. Integrating applications running on various untrusted networks running on decentralised networks and databases can get extended security with improved data management. Applications associated with supply chain management, tracking of assets, secured communications and smart military contracts are the few that need to be explored. The ongoing research and development in this area are likely to yield innovative solutions that address current challenges faced by military organisations globally.
AR/VR Assisted Training and Synthetic Training
The integration of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies in naval training is transforming how personnel prepare for real-world scenarios. These technologies create immersive training environments that enhance skills in maintenance, navigation, and operations. Combat simulations, simulated shipboard environments, mission planning/ execution, flight simulators and damage control emergency response are the areas in VR/AR that can provide significant support for training. Synthetic training uses computer-generated models and virtual environments to replicate real-world systems by enabling a mix of AR/ VR and live training for the combat team. AR/VR-assisted training significantly reduces the need for live exercises, which are expensive and resource-intensive. Simulated environments allow trainees to practice dangerous scenarios, such as fire suppression, damage control or even combat, without physical risks.
High Energy Weapon (HEW) Systems
HEW systems are non-kinetic and use photons to detect, track and defeat threats like missiles, rockets, artillery and unmanned aerial systems. This is cost-effective, unlimited and has a rapid response. It operates by generating an intense, focused beam of electromagnetic radiation or laser that can engage targets at the speed of light, is capable of precision targeting with minimal collateral damage, and is very effective against drones, missiles, surface vessels and even destroying the avionics onboard aircraft. DRDO made a notable achievement by successfully undertaking trials of a 2 kW HEW and is planning for a 100 kW HEW that can engage targets placed at longer range. Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies Corporation and BAE Systems are at the forefront of manufacturing military laser systems.
3D Manufacturing
The Navy can exploit 3D manufacturing techniques to enhance the rapid production of critical components, decreasing logistics delays in part replacements and expediting maintenance and production by reverse engineering. It also helps economic manufacturing of fewer numbers, design of vessels and aircraft, minimise the waist and even rapid erection of dwelling units/buildings at remote places. 3D printing units deployed onboard ships and submarines help turn around vessels held up at sea for want of critical spares. Construction of monocoque hulls for vessels and submarines would speed up the development post-design/prototyping process. China and the UK have made tremendous progress in the construction of Hulls for their surface and underwater vessels.
Conclusion
Progress has been made by the Indian Navy by building indigenous platforms like the aircraft carrier, destroyers and even stealth frigates. Projects like the Arihant-class nuclear submarines and the Kalvari-class Scorpène diesel-electric submarines are cornerstones of India’s underwater capabilities. Currently, 62 vessels including submarines are under production at various shipyards. Adoption of biofuels, energy-efficient ship designs, and electrification efforts could contribute to reducing the Navy’s carbon footprint. The Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) spearheads efforts to foster innovation within the Navy. The Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC) encourages startups to develop innovative solutions for the Indian Navy. The SPRINT (Startup Research and Innovation for New Technologies) Initiative for Defence Excellence (iDEX) aims to encourage startups and academia to develop technologies for naval applications. This initiative has already facilitated the creation of numerous defence products. Initiatives like Swavlamban 2024 showcase new products developed through collaborations with startups and MSMEs, promoting indigenous technology solutions. The Indian Navy is currently focusing on several innovations as a part of its broader push towards self-reliance and strengthening strategic capabilities. DRDO could explore more partnerships with defence startups to speed up on transformation of the Indian Navy.
Image Courtesy: https://www.naval-group.com/
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of India and Defence Research and Studies
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