PUNE: The Indian Army will acquire Artillery Meteorological System, which is used for obtaining vertical profile of various meteorological parameters over a place station. With the extreme range of modern artillery and battlefield missiles, very precise calculations regarding wind and air density are needed to ensure that the target is accurately engaged.
An expression of interest (EOI) was issued in this regard on May 18. It has to be indigenously developed and will consist of Radiosonde (sensing and transmitting unit) and receiver-cum-processor along with the associated equipment.
“The present EOI is for development of one prototype only. Subsequently, the approximate requirement of Radiosonde is 9,000 sets per annum and one-time requirement of receiver-cum-processor along with associated equipment is approximately 85 sets. The system should guarantee the shelf-life of 10 years for ground station including all hardware components, antennas and accessories under Indian tropical conditions. As the system is IT-intensive, the system should be easily upgradable to the latest software available in the field to facilitate extended (Life extension or upgrade) period of utilization,” the document states.
Radiosonde is the sensing-cum-transmitting unit which is released in the atmosphere attached with Met balloon filled with hydrogen gas. Radiosonde records meteorological parameters during ascents. This data is simultaneously transmitted to the ground-based receiver where it is processed and analysed in desired format.