DRDO conducts successful high speed test of indigenous fighter escape system

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out a high speed rocket sled test of an indigenous fighter aircraft escape system at controlled velocity on Tuesday.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the test was conducted at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory in Chandigarh. The test validated canopy severance, ejection sequencing and complete aircrew recovery.

The trial was undertaken in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), marking a major advancement in India’s in house capability to evaluate and certify escape systems. With this achievement, India joins a group of nations possessing advanced dynamic ejection testing infrastructure.

DRDO noted that dynamic ejection tests are considerably more complex than static trials such as net tests or zero zero tests, and offer a realistic measure of ejection seat performance and canopy severance reliability. In the test, a dual sled system fitted with the Light Combat Aircraft forebody was propelled to a precisely controlled velocity through phased firing of multiple solid propellant rocket motors, it added.

The canopy fragilisation pattern, ejection sequencing and aircrew recovery process were validated using an instrumented anthropomorphic test dummy, which captured critical pilot level parameters including loads, moments and accelerations. The entire sequence was documented through onboard and ground based imaging systems. Senior officials from the Indian Air Force and the Institute of Aerospace Medicine witnessed the test.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, IAF, ADA, HAL and the industry partners for the milestone, calling it a major step towards strengthening India’s indigenous defence capabilities and advancing self reliance. DRDO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, Dr. Samir V. Kamat also commended the teams involved in the successful demonstration.