A carbon fibre radome on an Indian ballistic missile, which can withstand extremely high re-entry temperatures
By Ajai Shukla
Business Standard, 21st Mar 23
Carborundum Universal Limited (CUMI), a private sector pioneer in the field of material sciences, announced on Monday that it has signed a “Licensing Agreement for Transfer of Technology” (LAToT) with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for manufacturing ceramic radomes used in aerospace and missile systems.
Ceramic radome technology is regarded the world over as essential, state-of-the-art technology for ballistic and tactical missiles and high performance aircraft. Missiles undergo extremely high surface temperatures while traveling through the atmosphere, and while re-entering the atmosphere from space. To withstand those temperatures, missile radomes located at the tip of a missile are made of ceramic.
“The design of ceramic radomes for defence activities requires deep expertise and stringent testing at every stage to ensure reliability and accuracy,” said CUMI in a statement today.
The ceramic radomes have been developed entirely indigenously by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), one of the premier DRDO laboratories in the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, which has developed India’s missile arsenal. RCI spearheads R&D into a diverse range of avionics systems for missile and aerospace applications.
“With our strong legacy of being in the material sciences industry for almost 70 years, CUMI is honoured to play a part in shaping India’s destiny by contributing to a strong and self-reliant defence sector. Our operations are completely made in India - from mineral sourcing and processing to research and testing,” said Subbu Venkatachalam ofCarborundum Universal Limited. “
CUMI has extensive experience in engineering lightweight ceramic ballistic solutions, such as bulletproof vests, using zirconia-toughened alumina and silicon carbide. CUMI’s lightweight ceramic materials are also used for providing high levels of ballistic and blast-proof protection for armoured vehicles.
CUMI is one of India’s first companies to produce the wonder material – graphene – for aerospace and defence applications. CUMI’s cutting-edge composite technology is also used for building unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
RCI is India’s premier laboratory for carrying out research and development in the technologies of control engineering, inertial navigation, imaging infrared seekers, radio frequency seekers and systems, on-board computers and mission software.
CUMI, which was established as a tripartite joint venture in 1954, is a leading materials sciences engineering solutions provider. CUMI’s consolidated revenue is Rs 3,300 crores and profit-after-tax is Rs 333 crores for the financial year 2022.
CUMI has over 5,500 employees worldwide who collaborate, innovate and develop high-quality material solutions and services in abrasives, electro minerals, ceramics, refractories and energy storage materials, serving customers in diverse industries. CUMI’s geographical presence spans six continents and its products are exported to over 50 countries.
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