Idukki: A cutting-edge Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation (SPACE) was inaugurated by Secretary, Department of Defence (R&D) and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat at the Underwater Acoustic Research Facility in Kulamavu, Idukki, Kerala on April 17, 2024. The SPACE, established by the Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory of DRDO, stands as a premier testing and evaluation hub for sonar systems destined for the Indian Navy across various platforms including ships, submarines, and helicopters.
The inauguration of the SPACE marks a significant milestone in naval technology advancement. Comprising two distinct assemblages – a platform floating on the water surface, and a submersible platform capable of being lowered to depths of up to 100 meters using winch systems – it represents a pioneering step forward in naval research and development.
The SPACE will primarily serve for the evaluation of complete sonar systems, facilitating swift deployment and seamless recovery of scientific packages such as sensors and transducers. It is designed to support surveying, sampling, and data collection of air, surface, mid-water, and reservoir floor parameters through the utilization of modern scientific instrumentation. Furthermore, the facility will accommodate data processing and sample analyses in state-of-the-art scientific laboratories, ushering in a new era of Anti-Submarine Warfare research capabilities.