The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved a major breakthrough by successfully conducting a high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system at controlled velocity in Chandigarh. The trial marks an important advance in pilot-safety technology and strengthens India’s indigenous capabilities in critical defence systems.
DRDO’s High-Speed Rocket-Sled Trial
The test was carried out at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), where a dual-sled system integrated with the forebody of a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) was propelled to a precisely controlled high speed using phased firing of multiple solid-propellant rocket motors. This demanding dynamic environment allowed engineers to validate three key functions of the escape sequence: canopy severance, ejection sequencing and complete aircrew recovery.
Elite In-House Testing Capability
The complex nature of the trial places India in a select group of countries with advanced in-house capability to test and qualify fighter escape systems under realistic conditions. Dynamic ejection tests of this kind are significantly more challenging than static methods such as net tests or zero-zero tests, because they replicate actual operational loads and are considered the true benchmark for assessing ejection seat performance and canopy severance efficiency.
Use of Anthropomorphic Test Dummy and Instrumentation
To accurately simulate a pilot’s experience, the entire ejection sequence was executed using an instrumented Anthropomorphic Test Dummy, which recorded critical loads, moments and accelerations expected during a real emergency escape. Onboard sensors and ground-based imaging systems captured every phase of canopy fragmentation, seat firing and recovery, providing comprehensive data for further refinement of the escape system. Officials from the Indian Air Force, the Institute of Aerospace Medicine and certification agencies witnessed the trial, underscoring its importance for future operational clearances.
Leadership Reactions and Strategic Significance
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Air Force, ADA, HAL and industry partners, describing the successful test as a significant milestone in India’s march towards self-reliance in defence technologies. He emphasized that the validated system enhances combat pilot safety and demonstrates the maturity of indigenous design and testing infrastructure. DRDO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, Dr Samir V Kamat also lauded the team for the achievement, noting that the data from this demonstration will support future upgrades and deployment on current and next-generation fighter platforms.
Conclusion
The successful high-speed rocket-sled test of the fighter aircraft escape system showcases India’s growing competence in complex, mission-critical defence technologies. By proving the performance of its canopy severance and ejection systems under demanding conditions, DRDO has not only advanced pilot safety but also moved the country closer to complete self-reliance in escape-system design, testing and certification.
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Source: PIB
