Dr. Sameer V Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defense (R&D) and Chairman, DRDO, today inaugurated a state-of-the-art Submersible Platform (SPACE) for Acoustic Characterization and Evaluation at the Underwater Acoustics Research Facility at Kulamavu, Idukki, Kerala. The space, established by DRDO's Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, has been designed as a major test and evaluation center for sonar systems destined for the Indian Navy on various platforms including ships, submarines and helicopters.
Space Navy is a significant achievement in technological advancement. It will consist of two different combinations – a platform that floats on the surface of the water, and a submersible platform that can be lowered to any depth up to 100 meters using a winch system. Upon completion of operations, the submersible platform can be winched up and docked with the floating platform.
The space will be used primarily for evaluation of the entire sonar system, providing 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 bottom parameters using modern scientific instruments. It will also usher in a new era of anti-submarine warfare research capabilities while meeting the needs of data processing and sample analysis in modern and well-equipped scientific laboratories.