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{{Short description|Indian research project}} |
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The |
The KALI (Kilo [[Ampere]] Linear Injector) is a linear electron accelerator being developed in [[India]] by [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO) and [[Bhabha Atomic Research Centre]] (BARC). It is rumoured to have [[directed-energy weapon]] capabilities. |
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==Overview== |
==Overview == |
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| ⚫ | The KALI is a [[particle accelerator]]. It emits powerful pulses of [[electrons]]. Other components in the machine down the line convert the electron energy into EM radiation, which can be adjusted to [[x-ray]] or [[microwave]] frequencies.<ref name="BARC">{{Cite web|title=Development of High Power Pulsed Electron Accelerators|url=http://www.barc.gov.in/btdg/appd/power.html|website=barc.gov.in}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The KALI is |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The |
The project was first founded by Dr. P.H. Ron, and mooted in 1985 by the then Director of the BARC, Dr. [[R. Chidambaram]]. Work on the project began in 1989, being developed by the Accelerators & Pulse Power Division of the BARC. DRDO is also involved with this project. It was initially developed for industrial applications, although defence applications became clearer later.<ref>{{cite journal |year=1999 |title=India to test beam weapon |journal=Competition Science Journal |publisher=Mahendra Jain |volume=October 1999 |issue=20 |pages=980–981 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8ucDAAAAMBAJ&q=%22India+to+test+beam+weapon&pg=PA980 }}</ref> |
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The first accelerators had |
The first accelerators had an electron beam power of ~0.4GW, which increased as later versions were developed. These were the KALI 80, KALI 200, KALI 1000, and the KALI 5000.<ref name="BARC" /> |
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The KALI-5000 was commissioned for use in late 2004.<ref>[http://www.barc. |
The KALI-5000 was commissioned for use in late 2004.<ref>[http://www.barc.gov.in/presentations/dirspeech.html BARC Director's speech on October 29 2004 celebrating Dr. Homi Bhabha's 95th Birth Anniversary]</ref> |
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Sources even suggest that the initial name for the project was TRINETRA. |
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== Design == |
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The KALI series (KALI 80, KALI 200, KALI 1000, KALI 5000 and KALI 10000) of accelerators are described as "Single Shot Pulsed Gigawatt Electron Accelerators".<ref>[http://www.barc.ernet.in/webpages/organization/appd/kali_5000.htm BARC page on KALI]{{dead link|date=June 2010}}</ref> They are single shot devices, using water filled [[capacitors]] to build the charge energy. The discharge is in the range of 1GW. Initially starting with 0.4GW power, present accelerators are able to reach 40GW. Pulse time is about 60 ns. |
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The Microwave radiations emitted by the KALI-5000 are in the 3–5 GHz Range |
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The KALI-5000 is a pulsed accelerator of 1 MeV electron energy, 50-100 ns pulse time, 40kA Current and 40 GW Power level. The system is quite bulky as well, with the KALI-5000 weighing 10 tons, and the KALI-10000, weighing 26 tons. They are also very power hungry, and require a cooling tank of 12,000 liters of oil. Recharging time is also too long to make it a viable weapon in its present form. |
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==Applications== |
==Applications== |
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The KALI has been put to various uses by the DRDO. |
The KALI has been put to various uses by the DRDO. |
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The X-rays emitted are being used in Ballistics research as an illuminator for ultrahigh speed photography by the |
The X-rays emitted are being used in Ballistics research as an illuminator for ultrahigh speed photography by the Terminal Ballistics Research Institute (TBRL) in Chandigarh. The Microwave emissions are used for EM Research. |
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The microwave-producing version of |
The microwave-producing version of KALI has also been used by the DRDO scientists for testing the vulnerability of the electronic systems of the [[HAL Tejas|Light Combat Aircraft]] (LCA), which was then under development. |
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| ⚫ | It has also helped in designing electrostatic shields to "harden" the LCA and missiles from microwave attack by the enemy as well as protecting satellites against deadly Electromagnetic Impulses (EMI) generated by nuclear weapons and other cosmic disturbances, which "fry" and destroy electronic circuits. Electronic components currently used in missiles can withstand fields of |
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| ⚫ | It has also helped in designing electrostatic shields to "harden" the LCA and missiles from microwave attack by the enemy as well as protecting satellites against deadly Electromagnetic Impulses (EMI) generated by nuclear weapons and other cosmic disturbances, which "fry" and destroy electronic circuits. Electronic components currently used in missiles can withstand fields of approximately 300 V/cm, while the fields in case of an EMI attack can reach thousands of V/cm. |
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=== As a Weapon === |
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==See also== |
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The KALI's potential for a military role as a beam weapon has made it, in the eyes of China a threat. However, weaponisation of the KALI will take some time. The system is still under development, and efforts are being made to make it more compact, as well as improve its recharge time, which, at the present, makes it only a single use system. |
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* [[Defence industry of India]] |
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There are also issues with creating a complete system, which would require development of many more components. There have been reports of placing the weaponized KALI in an Il-76 aircraft as an airborne defence system. There is also speculation of using the KALI as an Anti-satellite weapon and as a space-based weapon system, although it is unlikely that they would be implemented, given India's stance on those issues. |
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* [[DRDO Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon]] |
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* [[Indian Space Research Organisation]] |
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* [[Guided missiles of India]] |
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* [[India and weapons of mass destruction ]] |
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* [[Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* http://www.barc. |
* http://www.barc.gov.in/btdg/appd/power.html |
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{{Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)}} |
{{Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)}} |
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[[Category:Particle accelerators]] |
[[Category:Particle accelerators]] |
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[[Category:Military equipment of India]] |
[[Category:Military equipment of India]] |
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[[Category:Defence Research and Development Organisation]] |
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Latest revision as of 15:57, 30 November 2024
The KALI (Kilo Ampere Linear Injector) is a linear electron accelerator being developed in India by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). It is rumoured to have directed-energy weapon capabilities.
Overview
[edit]The KALI is a particle accelerator. It emits powerful pulses of electrons. Other components in the machine down the line convert the electron energy into EM radiation, which can be adjusted to x-ray or microwave frequencies.[1]
This has fueled rumours that the KALI could, one day be used in a high-power microwave gun, which could destroy incoming missiles and aircraft through soft-kill (destroying the electronic circuitry on the missile).
History
[edit]The project was first founded by Dr. P.H. Ron, and mooted in 1985 by the then Director of the BARC, Dr. R. Chidambaram. Work on the project began in 1989, being developed by the Accelerators & Pulse Power Division of the BARC. DRDO is also involved with this project. It was initially developed for industrial applications, although defence applications became clearer later.[2]
The first accelerators had an electron beam power of ~0.4GW, which increased as later versions were developed. These were the KALI 80, KALI 200, KALI 1000, and the KALI 5000.[1]
The KALI-5000 was commissioned for use in late 2004.[3]
Applications
[edit]The KALI has been put to various uses by the DRDO.
The X-rays emitted are being used in Ballistics research as an illuminator for ultrahigh speed photography by the Terminal Ballistics Research Institute (TBRL) in Chandigarh. The Microwave emissions are used for EM Research.
The microwave-producing version of KALI has also been used by the DRDO scientists for testing the vulnerability of the electronic systems of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), which was then under development.
It has also helped in designing electrostatic shields to "harden" the LCA and missiles from microwave attack by the enemy as well as protecting satellites against deadly Electromagnetic Impulses (EMI) generated by nuclear weapons and other cosmic disturbances, which "fry" and destroy electronic circuits. Electronic components currently used in missiles can withstand fields of approximately 300 V/cm, while the fields in case of an EMI attack can reach thousands of V/cm.
See also
[edit]- Defence industry of India
- DRDO Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon
- Indian Space Research Organisation
- Guided missiles of India
- India and weapons of mass destruction
- Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Development of High Power Pulsed Electron Accelerators". barc.gov.in.
- ^ "India to test beam weapon". Competition Science Journal. October 1999 (20). Mahendra Jain: 980–981. 1999.
- ^ BARC Director's speech on October 29 2004 celebrating Dr. Homi Bhabha's 95th Birth Anniversary