Proof and Experimental Establishment
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Established | November 7, 1895 As DRDO lab in October 1958 |
|---|---|
| Director | Brig. Anoop Malhotra |
| Location | Chandipur, Orissa |
| Address | Chandipore, Balasore- 756 025 |
| Operating Agency | DRDO,  India |
| Website | PXE Home Page |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) is an Indian defense laboratory of the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO). Located in Balasore, Orissa its main purpose concerns the research and development of technologies and products in the area of medium and large caliber weapons and their ammunition. PXE is organized under the Armaments Directorate of DRDO. The present director of PXE is Brigadier Anoop Malhotra.
Contents |
[edit] History
In March 1894, the first proof testing in India was carried out, with there being fired six inch Bag Loader Howitzers and 12 Pounder Shrapnel shells under the command of Captain R.H. Mahon. He recommended the creation of a dedicated department for this purpose. The Proof Department in India was sanctioned in May 1895.[1] It was established on November 7, 1895 with Headquarters at Balasore and Lt. R.T. Moorre as the head.[2]
Later, the establishment was renamed to the Proof & Experimental Department, and later still was renamed as PXE. The establishment was organized under the Director General of Ordnance (DGO), India and subsequently came under the supervision of the Inspection Organisation under the DGO. After Independence, PXE was under the administrative control of DGI up to 1958. On July 15, 1947, Lt. Col. B.N. Mitra became the first Indian to head the organization. The establishment was brought under the administrative control of DRDO in October 1958.
[edit] Areas of work
PXE is the main non-Army Proving ground and research establishment for design and developmental trials of guns, mortars, rockets, RCL, tank guns and their ammunition, including Naval guns and ammunition.[3] It also conducts technical evaluation trials for imported weapons and ammunition as well as R&A trials for compilation of Range Tables.
PXE also conducts performance evaluation trials for tank armor and ammunition, as well as proof of armour plates, tank turrets, ICVs, proximity fuzes, etc and also weapons and ammunition produced by Ordnance Factories/PSUs/trade firms. PXE has conducted tests of the Arjun MBT Armor[4] as well as tests of indigenous Explosive reactive armour. The lab has also conducted tests of other armaments such as the Indian Field Gun and the Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher System.[2]
PXE also conducts comparative propellant and ballistics parameters testing and is involved in the establishment of propellant standards, in their periodical check firing and in Quality Assurance through periodic checks of ammunition that are held in Army and Naval Depots.
[edit] Facilities
The PXE operates large test ranges. The establishment's initial land area was about 15 acre, that area increasing to 685 acre when the range was increased in 1949 [1]. The establishment has grown in size, in accordance with its changing role over the years. With the increased range of missiles and ordinance being tested, the test ranges have also been expanded. At present, the establishment has a notified range of 50 km in length along the sea coast and 50 km into the sea.[1] The Range is a natural sea based range with oscillating tide conditions. During low tide, water recedes to a distance of about 3 km into the sea beach, thus facilitating various range operations.[5]
PXE also has test facilities for the measurement of range and accuracy of rockets and projectiles, measurement of armor protection levels, and testing of proximity fuzes. PXE also has labs to measure the ballistic characteristics - Internal, External and Terminal ballistics.
[edit] Projects and Products
PXE is an ISO 9001:2000 certified laboratory.[2] Some Achievements of PXE include:[6]
- Established high speed photography techniques for study of sabot discarding phenomena in sub caliber projectile
- Spin measurement of projectiles by Doppler Radar and High Speed Photography Technique
- Ballistic Evaluation of gun propellants by comparative as well as absolute ballistics methods.
- Measurement of Height of Burst of Proximity fuze by Photography technique
- Easy and faster method of barrel changing in T-72 Tanks
- Recovery technique of fired projectiles both over water and over wet sand
- Recording of full trajectory data of artillery projectiles
[edit] References
- ^ a b History of PXE
- ^ a b c "ISO certificate for Proof and Experimental Establishment, Chandipur", Ministry of Defence Press Release, Government of India Press Information Bureau, 18 December 2002. Retrieved on 2007-11-15.
- ^ PXE Areas of Work
- ^ Joseph, Chacko P.. "Dissimilar Combat: Arjun MBT Vs T-90S specs", Frontier India Defence and Strategic News Service, 30 May 2007. Retrieved on 2007-11-15. "In January 2000 at Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Balasore, Arjun tank armor defeated all available HESH and FSAPDS rounds including Israeli FSAPDS rounds."
- ^ PXE Facilities
- ^ PXE Achievements
[edit] External links
- PXE Home Page
- Wikimapia Images of PXE
- "ISO certificate for Proof and Experimental Establishment, Chandipur", Ministry of Defence Press Release, Government of India Press Information Bureau, 18 December 2002. Retrieved on 2007-11-15.
- "DRDO participation in Orissa cyclone relief operations", DRDO Newsletter, DESIDOC, DRDO. Retrieved on 2007-11-15. "
PXE troops cleared roads in the Ganjam district. Troops with the help of 9 Engr Regiment from Eastern Command rescued a large number of marooned villagers from 54 villages in the adjoining areas of Balasore. The employees of PXE organised voluntary camps in the interiors of flood and cyclone-affected areas and distributed drinking water, medicine and food packets to the cyclone-hit people." - Joseph, Chacko P.. "Dissimilar Combat: Arjun MBT Vs T-90S specs", Frontier India Defence and Strategic News Service, 30 May 2007. Retrieved on 2007-11-15. "In January 2000 at Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Balasore, Arjun tank armor defeated all available HESH and FSAPDS rounds including Israeli FSAPDS rounds."
