Bengaluru: DRDO launches new, improved bridge for Army

Bengaluru: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has launched a 46-metre MLC-70 modular bridge made out of steel that can carry battle tanks. The bridge, which has already gone through the test of 2,000 tanks (1,000 T-72 and 1,000 Arjun), is in final stages of clearance by the Indian Army.

“The modular pieces of the bridge are on a truck and through the hydraulic system it is joined and pushed, thereby the two sides of the water bodies or trenches can be connected. This makes the mobility of armed forces easy and fast,” said Mr M.K. Roy, a scientist at the Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) at DRDO.

Now, the Army uses Sarvatra Bridge which is 15 metre expandable up to 75 metre. “Unlike the modular bridge, this bridge has to have after support. The support system is of 6 metre, and if the depth of the water body is more than that, the bridge won’t work," he said.

The design, development and evaluation took five years for the DRDO.

Mr Roy also spoke about the Sonar Drone Model that has already been fitted on INS Kolkata and INS Chennai. The Indian Navy has placed an order for 10-15 more sonar drones.

The DRDO is working on 'Swarm Robotics', which can handle IED like the Daksha that the armed forces use. However, what sets apart the developing model of Swarm Robotics is the way it can be put to use for surveillance. “This can be used for guarding and fencing. Of five machines, even if one is shot down the four will respond to each other. All the entities will be programmed. These are low-cost sacrificial units," he said.