CRD introduces locally manufactured ballistic panels
Sri Lankan researchers last week introduced locally developed ballistic panels to address a vital training requirement of the armed forces. The ballistic panels, designed to reduce the penetration and ricochet effects of bullets fired at close range are to be used to line the military's indoor shooting ranges.
"The Sri Lankan armed forces require significant space to carry out live fire training, and we are looking at addressing part of that need with indoor firing ranges to keep the troops fighting ready," said Dr Tiran De Silva, Director General of the Center for Research and Development (CRD). Later this year, the CRD plans to introduce the first Tactical Unmanned Aerial System ( TUAS), domestically designed and built with the Sri Lanka Air Force.
The panels were developed at the CRD, which is part of the Defence Ministry and is ready for production. Developed using local raw materials, including rubber, the panels cost one tenth of similar foreign products in the market, bringing savings for the taxpayer Dr De Silva claimed.
The research project, which lasted over a year, saw the collaboration of an Army ballistic and small arms expert and a civilian chemical engineer develop the product. The panels were recently trialed to test their effectiveness at the proposed Special Forces Capacity Building Facility at the 3rd Special Force Regiment Base in Vavuniya.
The panel is designed to withstand impacts from and not deflect (ricochet) military-grade ammunition fired from 9mm pistols to Type-56 assault rifles. This enables indoor firing ranges to be set up without the risk of bullets penetrating outside the training area, endangering personnel and civilians, or ricocheting off walls and endangering the trainees Dr De Silva explained. After the end of the war, many large shooting ranges were unsustainable, creating a need for smaller enclosed firing ranges, as the space occupied by the military had shrunk. According to Dr De Silva, the CRD is exploring the possibility of producing containerised mobile shooting booths, which can be used to accommodate the annual live fire qualification needs at the many military bases across the island. "We aim to meet the military simulation needs of the armed forces in the coming years," he said, pointing out that simulators offer cost-effective and low-risk options for training and maintaining military competencies. He pointed out that many foreign armed forces have been using simulation systems effectively for decades.
At present the CRD is developing simulators for small arms, mortars and artillery for the armed forces, with some small arms simulators already in service with the Army. Research is ongoing on stabilisation gun mounts and modernisation programmes for different land and naval armament systems. The CRD, established in 2006, recently showcased several locally- designed and manufactured systems during a military exhibition at the BMICH. A 122mm multi-barrel launch system for artillery rockets, an 81mm mortar simulator and radio signal jammers were among the locally-made products on display.