DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DRDO COMPLETED HIGH SPEED ROCKET-SLED TESTING OF AN ADVANCED ESCAPE SYSTEM

DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DRDO COMPLETED HIGH SPEED ROCKET-SLED TESTING OF AN ADVANCED ESCAPE SYSTEM

3-DEC-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

DELHI----------------------------The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed high-speed rocket-sled testing at controlled velocity of an escape system developed for fighter aircraft. Conducted at the rail-track rocket-sled facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory in Chandigarh, the testing effectively validated canopy severance, ejection sequencing, and the entire aircrew recovery process.

The testing was successfully conducted in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This highly complex and dynamic test places India among a select group of countries that have the capability to fully test advanced escape systems in-house.

Dynamic ejection tests are much more complex than static tests such as net tests or zero-zero tests and are considered the most reliable benchmark for the overall performance of the ejection seat and the true effectiveness of the canopy severance system. During this test, the front of the LCA aircraft was attached to a dual sled system, which was precisely propelled forward at a controlled velocity by the phased ignition of multiple solid propellant rocket motors.

The canopy fragilization pattern, ejection sequencing, and the entire aircrew recovery process were evaluated using an instrumented anthropomorphic test dummy, which accurately recorded the critical loads, moments, and accelerations experienced by an ejecting pilot under realistic conditions. The entire test sequence was captured in detail using onboard and ground-based high-speed imaging systems. The test was observed by officials from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Institute of Aerospace Medicine and Certification.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Air Force, ADA, HAL, and the defense industry on this successful test. He described it as an important milestone strengthening indigenous defense technology towards self-reliance.

Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defense Research and Development and Chairman, DRDO, also congratulated the entire DRDO team, including scientists and engineers, for this successful demonstration.