Aerospace Vision: 2050 gets underway

Odisha Channel Bureau Bengaluru, Feb 16: As a prelude to the start of the biennial, internationally acclaimed air show – Aero India 2015 – beginning February 18, a three-day international seminar ‘Aerospace: Vision 2050’ got underway here today.Organised by Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO) of the Ministry of Defence in association with Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI), the intense technical seminar sets the tone to dwell and exchange ideas on matters that converge on ‘needs of the times’ in the ever-emerging realm of aerospace, both military and civil.According to a PIB release, Minister of State (Defence) Rao Inderjit Singh who presided over the inaugural event recounted the outcomes and achievements of ‘India’s Aerospace Technology Plans’ and its implementation, describing it as ‘very rewarding’.From ISRO’s successful Mars Exploration Spacecraft programme including the ‘Mars Orbiter Mission’ to DRDO’s successful test-firing of Agni series of surface-to-surface Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) found a notable mention in his address.Lauding the recent successful launch of Agni-V on February 1, with a range of over 5,000 km and capable of carrying a warhead of over one tonne, he said: ‘The Agni-V is a major addition to the country’s strategic strike capability’.Among the other notable DRDO achievements that found a mention included ‘Nirbhay’, the indigenously developed sub-sonic long-range cruise missile, Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW & C) system and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) ‘Tejas’ among others.In a notable first, the seminar also has a special theme in its tenth edition inviting nations to ‘Make in India’ for mutual benefit through joint ventures.The large-scale economic initiative encompasses infrastructural sectors in aviation, space, defence systems, airport infrastructure, defence engineering, renewable energy and thermal power amongst other civilian sectors.The ‘Make in India’ economic programme launched by the Prime Minister opens up opportunities for innovative minds to exploit the globally evolving spirit of ‘teaming up’ and ‘pooling resources’, the MoS said to an audience comprising over 800 delegates including 15 foreigners.Earlier, MoS for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises G.M.Siddeshwara while speaking on the occasion described the various indigenously developed systems in aerospace as symbols of ‘Indian Prowess’ in the aerospace arena.Among other dignitaries present on the occasion included distinguished scientist and DG (Aero) K.Tamilmani, CMD Bharat Electronics Limited, S.K.Sharma and CMD Hinduatan Aeronautics Limited T Suvarna Raju and Distinguished Scientist and Programme Director, AEW & C and Centre for Airborne Systems S.Christopher.A ‘Seminar Souvenir’ and a special issue on ‘Airworthiness and Certification’ were also released during the event.