DRDO Tests High-Speed Fighter Jet Escape System

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out a high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility.

The test was conducted in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

During the trial, a dual-sled setup carrying the forebody of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) was accelerated to a precisely controlled speed of 800 km/h. This helped scientists validate key functions of the escape system, including canopy severance, ejection sequencing, and complete aircrew recovery.

An instrumented Anthropomorphic Test Dummy was used to simulate a pilot and record critical loads and accelerations during ejection.

The entire sequence from canopy breakup to parachute deployment was captured through onboard and ground-based cameras.

DRDO noted that dynamic ejection tests like this are far more complex than static trials and provide a more accurate measure of the performance of ejection seats and canopy separation systems.