परीक्षण रेंज: हथियार विकास में विकास और भूमिका

About the book:
The defence capability of a nation rests upon its weapons and ammunition system, "weapons" for brevity, and the armed forces' confidence in their effective utilisation. Designing weapons goes beyond drawings and simulations as accurately simulating transient impulsive loading conditions is impractical. Test Ranges, "Ranges” for brevity, play a pivotal role by resolving these challenges through actual firings, facilitating incremental developments and final acceptance of weapons. The capabilities of a range are intimately tied to the weapon itself.
This monograph introduces weapons with the necessary details to comprehend range functioning. It covers weapon types, complexities, payload delivery, propulsion systems, target neutralisation, safety, reliability, life cycle, performance in extreme climates, and high-speed impacts. The book explores the attributes of an ideal Range and discusses qualitative and quantitative methods for assessing weapon performance. It delves into Range infrastructure, techniques, and the establishment of the Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE) in 1895, supported by visual aids such as photographs, tables, case studies, and anecdotes.
The author advocates for consolidating three Ranges-PXE in Chandipur, CPE in Itarsi, and LPR in Khamaria–under unified administrative and technical control, preferably independent of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA).
This monograph serves as a valuable resource for scientists, engineers, and professionals engaged in weapon design, development, production, quality assurance, and Range operations. It is equally informative for individuals interested in national defence, providing comprehensive insights into the critical aspects of weapons and Ranges, illuminating their interconnectedness in safeguarding the nation's defence.

About the Author:
Shri PK Mahapatra joined PXE, Chandipur, as a JSA I in August 1969 after completing MSc in Mathematics in 1968 and retired as a Scientist ‘F’ in October 2007. He worked in the fields of Computer, Propellant proof, Instrumentation, Materials Management, Administration, and HRD. He completed a 3 month’s course in “Programming and Applications of Electronic Computers” from the ISI, Kolkata in 1971-72 on his own. He brought in Computer era to PXE in 1982. His notable achievements were compiling propellant proof reports bypassing reference to all Tables. Another was conversion of angle measurements in range to linear equations to determine spatial coordinates of the point of impact of projectiles. These were besides softwares for Finance, materials management and ammunition management.
His other passion was PXE itself. Compiled 100 years history of PXE titled “Proof-The Trail Blazer”, released in 1996 during centenary celebrations. He played a significant role in saving a heritage building of PXE from demolition–the building which predated PXE and used as office of the Heads of PXE for about 80 years. Today it is the Centenary Museum and Archives.
In 2006, he helped Fakir Mohan University, Balasore to design a Course entitled “MSc in Applied Physics and Ballistics”. He taught topics like Internal and Intermediate Ballistics, Weapon Systems and Ammunition as a Guest Faculty from 2009 to 2014. He was also a member of the Senate of the University from 2016 to 2019.
He contributed papers to journals and seminars in fields like Proof Techniques, Ballistics, Computer Applications in Proof Range. He also presented papers and delivered talks at several UGC sponsored Workshops and Seminars in colleges in and around Balasore in topics like Ballistics, e-governance, Analytical Hierarchy Process, God Particles, and Cryptography, etc.