Topic covered- Indigenization of technology and developing new technology
INDIGENOUS BIO-JET FUEL
Context
- IAF’s formidable workhorse, the Russian made AN-32 aircraft was formally fleet certified to fly on blended aviation fuel containing up to 10% of indigenous bio-jet fuel.
Bio-Jet Fuel for Military Aircrafts
- The indigenous bio-jet fuel was first produced by the CSIR-IIP lab at Dehradun in 2013, but could not be tested or certified for commercial use on aircraft due to lack of test facilities in the civil aviation sector.
- It has formally granted its approval for use of this fuel, produced from non-conventional source i.e. non-edible vegetable/ tree borne oil to be used on military aircraft.
- The bio-jet fuel has been produced from seeds of Jatropha plant sourced from Chhattisgarh and processed at CSIR-IIP’s lab at Dehradun.
- Bio jet fuel can be produced from animal fat, used cooking oil, waste dairy fat, sewage sludge, etc.
- The oil needs to have a freezing point below -47 degrees so it doesn’t freeze at altitudes at which planes fly, should not catch fire on ground when being transferred into a plane, must have the same density as aviation turbine fuel, have a certain calorific value and should not choke the filters.
- It is also 1.8% more energy dense as compared to Aviation Turbine Fuel and is, therefore, more efficient.
- In August 2018, India has joined elite group of countries (others being US, Canada and Australia) that operate biofuel powered flights.
Importance of Bio-jet fuel
- Blended bio-jet fuel produced from Jatropha has the dual benefit of reducing the carbon footprint as well as usage of fossil fuels.
- Increased demand of bio-jet fuel would give impetus to increase in collection of tree-borne non-edible oil seeds.
- It will help generate ancillary income for tribal and marginal farmers, and encourage cultivation/ collection of oilseeds.
Topic covered – Defence Technology
GUIDED BOMB
Context
- Defence Research and DefenceOrganisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested a 500 kg class Inertial Guided Bomb today from Su-30 MKI Aircraft from the Pokhran test range in Rajasthan.
- The weapon system is capable of carrying different warheads.
What is the Guided Bomb?
- The Guided Bomb technology indigenously is developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- The DRDO Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) is a long-range precision-guided anti-airfield weapon.
- It is designed to be capable of engaging ground targets with high precision up to a range of 100 kilometres.
- The SAAW project was approved by the Indian government in 2013.
- Importance of SAAW
- SAAW is India’s attempt at building an indigenous weapon for the specialized operation.
- These precision-guided glide bombs are cheaper than conventional missiles since they do not have the complex propulsion systems that are the norm for cruise missiles.
- Depending on the operational requirements, these missiles could also be used against other ground targets to give Indian forces enhanced area-denial capabilities such as taking out bridges or other ground infrastructure.
Topic covered- Bilateral, regional & global groupings & agreements involving India &/or affecting India’s interests
Second Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Mass Media Forum
Context
- The Second Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Mass Media Forum is being held at Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan May, 2019.
About SCO Mass Media Forum
- Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Mass Media Forum is forum of Media leaders of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries.
- Indian delegation from I&B Ministry is participating in the SCO Mass Media Forum.
- SCO Mass Media Forum is organized to accomplish the SCO objectives of mutual trust, friendly relations with neighbors and regional security in line with the “Shanghai Spirit”.
- The theme of Second (SCO) Mass Media Forum is “carrying on the ‘Shanghai Spirit’ and ushering a new era for media cooperation,”
- The first SCO Media Summit was held in Beijing in June 2018.
AIMS of SCO Mass Media Forum
- To strengthen the exchange and cooperation in the field of mass media amongst SCO countries.
- It offers a unique platform for active work through mass media to create an objective vision of the organization and strengthen its positive image in the global information space.
- Call for establishing successful collaborations of Mass Media Organizations of the SCO member Countries.
SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION (SCO)
About
- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic and security organisation.
- SCO grew out of Shanghai Five founded in 1996 with China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan as its original members.
- India and Pakistan joined SCO as full members in June 2017 at a summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.
- SCO is the largest regional organisation in the world in terms of geographical coverage and population and has become very powerful and influential.
- At present it has 8 member states- China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.