Naval Science and Technological Laboratory

<h2 id="history">History</h2>
<p>NSTL was established on  20 August 1969 to undertake research and development of major naval systems and underwater weapons for the <a href="/facts/Indian_Navy/vpfWV6z2">Indian Navy</a> to make it self-reliant.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a>
</p>
<h2 id="areas-of-work">Areas of work</h2>
<p>NSTL is involved in the design, development, testing, evaluation and productionization of underwater weapons and their associated weapon control systems.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> These include <a href="/facts/Torpedo/RLLPpktk">torpedoes</a>, mines, decoys, targets, simulators, Fire Control Systems and weapon launchers.
</p><p>The lab is also involved in investigating <a href="/facts/Hydrodynamic/y7uzSCfg">hydrodynamic</a> parameters and structural design of surface and submerged naval platforms and in evolving design criteria through model studies and simulation. NSTL is also involved in developing Warship Technologies, <a href="/facts/Stealth_Technology/j3pG6jVK">Stealth Technology</a> for ships and Hydro-dynamic research services.
</p><p>NSTL also develops specialized materials for Marine Applications, including materials for mitigation of <a href="/facts/Radar/jk9BTbFA">Radar</a>, <a href="/facts/Infrared/44XdJNcc">IR</a>, Magnetic, Acoustic and <a href="/facts/ELFE/8DL0yLBn">ELFE</a> Signatures leading to stealthier platforms.
</p>
<h3>Facilities</h3>
<p>NSTL is equipped with laboratories and Hydrodynamic research facilities including a High Speed Towing Tank (HSTT), a Cavitation Tunnel and a Wind Tunnel. They also have Acoustic, Shock, Noise and Vibration Test Facilities that are used to measure, study and analyze the mitigation of underwater noise generated by ships and submarines. <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a>
</p>
<h2 id="projects-and-products">Projects and Products</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Maareech_ATDS/qybSeId3">Maareech ATDS</a></li>
<li>High Endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle</li>
<li>Torpedoes
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Torpedo_Advanced_Light_Shyena/uU1xVW1H">Torpedo Advanced Light Shyena</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Torpedo_Advanced_Light_Shyena/uU1xVW1H">Advanced Light Weight Torpedo</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Varunastra_(torpedo)/635Pu1aQ">Varunastra HWT</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Varunastra_(torpedo)/635Pu1aQ">Shakti Thermal Torpedo</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Varunastra_(torpedo)/635Pu1aQ">Takshak Torpedo</a></li></ul></li>
<li>Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM)</li></ul>
<h2 id="high-endurance-autonomous-underwater-vehicle-heauv">High Endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (HEAUV)</h2>
<p>DRDO's NSTL in partnership with the <a href="/facts/Cochin_Shipyard/epVajC9m">Cochin Shipyard</a> is developing the HEAUV <a href="/facts/Autonomous_underwater_vehicle/2v6GNzsz">autonomous underwater vehicle</a>. The HEAUV, first reported in 2024, is undergoing multiple trials. The vehicle has a weight of 6 short tons (5,400 kg), length of around 10 m (33 ft) and diameter of 1 m (3 ft 3 in). As for the performance, it has a maximum depth of 300 m (980 ft), endurance of 15 days at an economical speed of 3 kn (5.6 km/h) and a maximum speed of 8 kn (15 km/h). It can be mounted with swappable mission-specific payloads. The equipment include:–<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a>
</p>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/X_band/eMpD5T2r">X band</a> 360° surveillance radar for <a href="/facts/Intelligence%2c_surveillance_and_reconnaissance/MUkzKVxz">Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance</a> (ISR) operations, developed by <a href="/facts/LRDE/fjzoCzVJ">LRDE</a>.</li>
<li>45 bar (4,500 kPa)-rated mast mounted <a href="/facts/Radome/cuxAdLHL">radome</a> to house <a href="/facts/Collision_avoidance_system/1xLggR3S">collision avoidance radar</a>.</li>
<li>Communication systems (including acoustic, <a href="/facts/UHF/S6XDUaDY">UHF</a>, <a href="/facts/C_band_(IEEE)/vLddLTc2">C band</a>, <a href="/facts/Communications_satellite/y5RXPMDT">SATCOM</a>).</li>
<li>Front and flank array <a href="/facts/Sonars/245ooRW7">sonars</a> as primary underwater sensors, side-scan sonars for <a href="/facts/Mine_countermeasure/jo9uVY9U">mine countermeasure</a> (MCM) operations developed by <a href="/facts/NPOL/C64C89Rv">NPOL</a>.</li>
<li>Array of batteries for <a href="/facts/Propulsion_system/xTuW8Fw2">propulsion system</a> which includes electric motors connected to <a href="/facts/Composite_propeller/sB8kn3xC">composite propellers</a>.</li>
<li>Capsule-based <a href="/facts/Hydrogen_fuel_cell/UcMYnCW3">hydrogen fuel cell</a> power plant (under development by <a href="/facts/NMRL/kTMGxfsm">NMRL</a>.</li></ul>
<p>In the first week of March 2024, the maiden surface trials of the HEAUV was conducted by DRDO and CSL at the <a href="/facts/Cochin_Shipyard/epVajC9m">International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF)</a> Jetty in Kochi. All the system parameters were met during the trials.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a>
</p><p>In late March 2025, DRDO conducted Lake Trials of the HEAUV during which vehicle dynamics, in both submerged and surfaced conditions, was tested successfully along with its Sonar and Communications suite.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a>
</p><p>In 2018, the <a href="/facts/Ministry_of_Defence_(India)/PXDnHe9u">Ministry of Defence</a> had released a <a href="/facts/Request_for_Information/5TRQnB1F">Request for Information</a> (RFI) for the acquisition of eight HEAUVs for <a href="/facts/Indian_Navy/vpfWV6z2">Indian Navy</a>'s <a href="/facts/Anti-submarine_warfare/dW89ebRA">ASW</a>, ISR and MCM operations as well as <a href="/facts/Bathymetry/vnYgY6qK">bathymetric</a> and <a href="/facts/Oceanography/LtrG6peD">oceanographic</a> data gathering. Further, an <a href="/facts/Expression_of_Interest/Gav323KQ">Expression of Interest</a> (EoI) was released to invite Indian companies to develop an HEAUV for just ASW operations. As of now, <a href="/facts/GRSE/JkhHDheb">GRSE</a> is also developing HEAUV-ASW expected to completed by 2027 along with its <a href="/facts/Garden_Reach_Shipbuilders_%2526_Engineers/JkhHDheb">Neerakshi AUV</a>. <a href="/facts/Mazagon_Dock_Shipbuilders/HSnvLWde">Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders</a> also released an EoI for HEAUV-ASW development in 2023.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a>
</p>
<h1>Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM)</h1>
<p>Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM) is a tactical <a href="/facts/Naval_mine/jo9uVY9U">naval mine</a> developed for the Indian Navy by NSTL in collaboration with <a href="/facts/HEMRL/L1dUHqqm">HEMRL</a> and <a href="/facts/TBRL/mqN45t0j">TBRL</a> as well as <a href="/facts/Bharat_Dynamics_Limited/F95M8r65">Bharat Dynamics Limited</a> and Apollo Microsystems Limited as the production agency. The system is designed to counter stealth surface ships and submarines by detecting their various influences such as <a href="/facts/Acoustic_signature/hN7Slhn6">acoustic</a>, <a href="/facts/Magnetic_field/Ta8Ev588">magnetic</a> and pressure signatures. On 5 May 2025, DRDO successfully undertook the combat firing (with reduced explosive) of the mine.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a>
</p>
<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/DRDO/HYTLS49D">DRDO</a></li></ul>

<p><a href="https://www.drdo.gov.in/labs-establishment/director/naval-science-technological-laboratory-nstl">https://www.drdo.gov.in/labs-establishment/director/naval-science-technological-laboratory-nstl</a>
</p><h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Naval Science and Technological Laboratory.

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1"><p>"Director | Defence Research and Development Organisation - DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India". <a href="https://www.drdo.gov.in/labs-establishment/director/naval-science-technological-laboratory-nstl" target="_blank">https://www.drdo.gov.in/labs-establishment/director/naval-science-technological-laboratory-nstl</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:2"><p>NSTL History[usurped] <a href="https://archive.today/20010306222156/http://www.drdo.org/labs/nr&d/nstl/history.shtml" target="_blank">https://archive.today/20010306222156/http://www.drdo.org/labs/nr&d/nstl/history.shtml</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:3"><p>NSTL History[usurped] <a href="https://archive.today/20010306222156/http://www.drdo.org/labs/nr&d/nstl/history.shtml" target="_blank">https://archive.today/20010306222156/http://www.drdo.org/labs/nr&d/nstl/history.shtml</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:4"><p>"Facilities of NSTL". DRDO. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120330213159/http://drdo.gov.in/drdo/labs/NSTL/English/index.jsp?pg=facility.jsp" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20120330213159/http://drdo.gov.in/drdo/labs/NSTL/English/index.jsp?pg=facility.jsp</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:5"><p>"High Endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (HEAUV)". alphadefense.in. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2025. <a href="https://alphadefense.in/index.php/2024/03/12/high-endurance-autonomous-underwater-vehicle-heauv/" target="_blank">https://alphadefense.in/index.php/2024/03/12/high-endurance-autonomous-underwater-vehicle-heauv/</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:6"><p>Menon, Adithya Krishna (20 April 2025). "India's High Endurance AUV Program Undergoes Developmental Trials". Naval News. Retrieved 22 April 2025. <a href="https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/04/indias-high-endurance-auv-program-undergoes-developmental-trials/" target="_blank">https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/04/indias-high-endurance-auv-program-undergoes-developmental-trials/</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:7"><p>Admin (9 April 2024). "DRDO's AUV Conducts Successful Surface Run". raksha-anirveda.com. Retrieved 22 April 2025. <a href="https://raksha-anirveda.com/drdos-auv-conducts-successful-surface-run/" target="_blank">https://raksha-anirveda.com/drdos-auv-conducts-successful-surface-run/</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:8"><p>@DRDO_India (7 March 2024). "Maiden Surface run of High Endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (HEAUV) meeting all the mission parameters were carried out successfully at Cochin Shipyard, International Ship Repair Facility(ISRF) Jetty, Kochi" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 April 2025 – via Twitter. <a href="https://x.com/DRDO_India/status/1765715469946826808" target="_blank">https://x.com/DRDO_India/status/1765715469946826808</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:9"><p>@cslcochin (7 March 2024). "Proud moment for India, DRDO, and Cochin Shipyard Limited! 🇮🇳 The nation's first fully indigenous High Endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle integrated at CSL has completed its maiden trials at CSL's ISRF facility..." (Tweet). Retrieved 22 April 2025 – via Twitter. <a href="https://x.com/cslcochin/status/1765917170427670683" target="_blank">https://x.com/cslcochin/status/1765917170427670683</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:10"><p>Menon, Adithya Krishna (20 April 2025). "India's High Endurance AUV Program Undergoes Developmental Trials". Naval News. Retrieved 22 April 2025. <a href="https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/04/indias-high-endurance-auv-program-undergoes-developmental-trials/" target="_blank">https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/04/indias-high-endurance-auv-program-undergoes-developmental-trials/</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:11"><p>@DRDO_India (30 March 2025). "High Endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle currently under development by NSTL has been successfully tested in lake. During the trials vehicle dynamics was proven in both surface and submerged condition through multiple runs with perfect performance of Sonars and Communication" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 April 2025 – via Twitter. <a href="https://x.com/DRDO_India/status/1906400247452176655" target="_blank">https://x.com/DRDO_India/status/1906400247452176655</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:12"><p>Menon, Adithya Krishna (20 April 2025). "India's High Endurance AUV Program Undergoes Developmental Trials". Naval News. Retrieved 22 April 2025. <a href="https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/04/indias-high-endurance-auv-program-undergoes-developmental-trials/" target="_blank">https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/04/indias-high-endurance-auv-program-undergoes-developmental-trials/</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:13"><p>"DRDO & Indian Navy conduct combat firing (with reduced explosive) of indigenous Multi-Influence Ground Mine". Press Information Bureau. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025. <a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2127155" target="_blank">https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2127155</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:14"><p>"DRDO, Navy conduct successful trial of MIGM". The Economic Times. 5 May 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 6 May 2025. <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/drdo-navy-conduct-successful-trial-of-migm/articleshow/120904004.cms" target="_blank">https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/drdo-navy-conduct-successful-trial-of-migm/articleshow/120904004.cms</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:15"><p>"Multi - Influential Ground Mines (MIGM) | Official Website of Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India". bdl-india.in. Retrieved 6 May 2025. <a href="https://bdl-india.in/migm" target="_blank">https://bdl-india.in/migm</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
</ol>

Naval Science and Technological Laboratory open-in-new

Naval Science and Technological Laboratory