DRDO inks pact with IITs for Centre for Propulsion Technology

The initiative is aimed at achieving synergy between DRDO and IIT for channelising research efforts towards developing aerospace technologies.

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Mumbai: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Saturday singed an agreement with IIT-Bombay and Madras to establish a bi-nodal 'Centre of Propulsion Technology' (CoPT) at the two institutions.

The initiative is aimed at achieving synergy between DRDO and Indian Institutes of Technology for channelising the research efforts towards developing products and related critical aerospace technologies, a Defence release said.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed among DG DRDO S Christopher, IIT Bombay Director Prof Devang Khakhar and IIT Madras Director Prof B Ramamurthi here this afternoon.

Christopher said, "The construction of this centre will attract talent to the field."

He assured the IITs faculty members that DRDO will go the extra mile in supporting the venture.

As per the release, Khakhar, said the investment in the field must be effectively utilised to gain knowledge leadership in the subjects.

Ramamurthi hailed the development as an opportunity to generate enthusiasm and energy into new research.

CoPT will evolve mechanisms to facilitate execution of programs related to propulsion technology and will engage the primary Research Nodes (IIT Bombay and IIT Madras) and other research institutions/ centres, it said.

It will also undertake advanced collaborative research in the areas of critical defence technologies. CoPT will facilitate and undertake multidisciplinary directed research in the focused areas of futuristic aero engines, hypersonic propulsion for long duration flights, solid propellant combustion modelling and morphing aircraft technologies, the release added.