What happened
DRDO’s Hyderabad-based Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) has invited Indian industry bids to develop and integrate a multi-kilowatt Spectral Beam Combined (SBC) laser source, beam director and diagnostic stations for counter-UAV use. The partner must complete the work with DRDO within 240 days of contract signing. The project aims to go beyond the 30 kW-class system demonstrated earlier; DRDO keeps IP and will later nominate a production agency (development partner is not automatically the production partner).
Background
Urgency rose after drone-heavy lessons from Operation Sindoor. CHESS’s 30 kW Mk-II(A) earlier defeated a fixed-wing drone and a swarm (range up to ~5 km). A 2 kW system is in production; Army/IAF plan procurement of the 10 kW class (~2 km). Lasers are being developed as a layer under Project Sudarshan Chakra, not a full replacement for conventional air defence (weather can degrade beams).
Why it matters for exams
- Directed-energy weapons and counter-drone layers are defence current affairs
- CHESS location (Hyderabad) and DRDO lab facts are static GK
- Operation Sindoor and Project Sudarshan Chakra link to security notes
Key facts for exams
- Lab: CHESS, Hyderabad (DRDO)
- Project: Multi-kW SBC laser source + beam director + diagnostics
- Timeline: 240 days from contract
- Prior demo: 30 kW-class Mk-II(A), engagement up to ~5 km
- Framework: Layer under Project Sudarshan Chakra
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which DRDO lab invited bids for the new SBC laser system?
- DRDL
- CHESS
- ADE
- RCI
Answer: B. Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences, Hyderabad.
Q2. Development completion timeline mentioned was:
- 90 days
- 180 days
- 240 days
- 365 days
Answer: C. Within 240 days of contract.
Q3. Directed-energy lasers are being woven into which air-defence framework named in reports?
- Mission Shakti
- Project Sudarshan Chakra
- Mission Divyastra
- Project Kusha
Answer: B. Project Sudarshan Chakra.
Source: The New Indian Express (29 Sep 2026).