Samir V Kamath (12th from L) and other DRDO and Indian Navy officials during the inauguration of SPACE at Kulamavu, Idukki, Kerala. (Photo: MoD)
New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organization chairman, Samir V Kamat, inaugurated the state-of-the-art the “Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation” (SPACE) in Kerala’s Idukki district, on Wednesday, the defence ministry said. The inauguration took place at the Underwater Acoustic Research Facility in Idukki’s Kulamavu.
The SPACE, set up by the Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory of DRDO, is designed as a premier testing and evaluation hub for sonar systems destined for Indian Navy various platforms, including ships, submarines, and helicopters.
The SPACE marks a milestone in naval technology advancement. It consists of two distinct assemblages – a platform that floats on the water surface, and a submersible platform that can be lowered to any depth up to 100 metres using winch systems. Upon completion of operations, the submersible platform can be winched up and docked with the floating platform.
The SPACE will mainly be utilized for the evaluation of complete sonar systems, allowing for quick deployment and easy recovery of scientific packages such as sensors and transducers. It will be suitable for survey, sampling, and data collection of air, surface, mid-water, and reservoir floor parameters using modern scientific instrumentation.
This new facility will cater to the needs of data processing and sample analyses in modern, well-equipped scientific laboratories, heralding a new era of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) research capabilities. The Navy says the SPACE is a significant step forward in strengthening its capabilities.
