BHUBANESWAR: Noted defence scientist and former director of Integrated Test Range (ITR) SC Narang on Sunday called upon the scientific community to deliver on their potential so that technological advancement can be a key element for the overall economic growth.
Speaking at the 35th Lab Raising Day of ITR, Narang said the test range has evolved into a world class facility providing best mission supports. “From an interim test facility, it was developed into an integrated test range. And now, it is no less than an international range in terms of technological augmentation,” he said.
Narang had served as director of the test range from 1996 to 2005.Project Director of Agni-I Prime and a senior scientist with ASL M Manickavasagam said from technology development in software to hardware and mission control to range safety, a lot of advancement has come in the test range. “The mission control centre is better than the Russian and of the standards of the American facility,” he said.
ITR Director BK Das highlighted the achievements of the range during the year by successfully test launching supersonic BrahMos from Sukhoi-30 MKI and sub-sonic cruise missile Nirbhay.
AIIMS Director Dr Gitanjali Batmanabane said apart from the OPD at ITR Colony, AIIMS has a mandate to provide state-of-the-art medical facilities to the residents of Balasore.Established in 1989, the premier defence research and development establishment ITR at Chandipur is engaged in test and evaluation of sophisticated missiles, rockets and air-borne systems.