HMT Machine Tools forays into Naval Systems

Successfully develops 'Directing Gear', a critical onboard equipment, jointly with Bharat Electronics

HMT Machine Tools Ltd has for the first time forayed into the production of Naval Syst- ems by successfully developing ‘Directing Gear’, a critical onboard equipment for naval application.

The equipment called ‘Dir- ecting Gear’ is an auxiliary of Sonar system developed by Naval Physical and Oceano- graphic Laboratory (NPOL), here and has been developed through a collaborative effort with Bangalore-based Bharat Electronics, the defence production agency and NPOL.

The first equipment was handed over to Ajit T Kalgh- atgi, Director (R&D), BEL, by HMTMTL Managing Director B M Shivashankar at a funct- ion at nearby Kalamassery. This would also be a major import-substitution for Bharat Electronics Ltd. This is the first of the three units against a defence order Bharat Elec- tronics, Bangalore had given to HMTMTL.

It is for the first time that HMTMTL is entering into the manufacturing of naval systems, a press release said. The major challenge for HMTMTL was to design, manufacture, test, qualify and deliver this complex system within a tight time schedule to facilitate an important order for BEL.

The directing gear is a computer-controlled rotary system using a state-of-the-art technology.

It would be used for supporting and calibrating the 4.5-tonne sensor array of the Sonar system.

It is designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions such as shock, vibration, temperature and other adverse conditions of the battlefield during operation.

An MoU was signed between NPOL, BEL and HMTMTL for ensuring successful realisation of the directing gear in January this year, K K Balachandran, General Manager, said.

The tie up is a major outcome of NPOL’s efforts to involve both public and private sector industries in sonar production. It also underlines BEL’s interest in utilising its Product Support Centre at Kalamassery to promote sonar systems development through NPOL.