DRDO conducts high-speed test of fighter aircraft escape system

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted a successful high-speed rocket-sled test of fighter aircraft escape system at controlled velocity. 

• This complex dynamic test places India in an elite club of nations with advanced in-house escape system testing capability.

How was the test conducted?

• In a rocket-sled test, the system coupled with a rocket propulsion mechanism is run at a high speed on a pair of rails to simulate a moving aircraft in mid-air. 

• Dynamic ejection tests are significantly more complex than static tests such as ‘net test’ or ‘zero-zero test’ and are a real measure for evaluating ejection seat performance and efficacy of canopy severance system. 

• A dual-sled system with the LCA aircraft forebody was propelled to precisely controlled velocity through phased firing of multiple solid propellant rocket motors.

• The canopy fragilisation pattern, ejection sequencing and complete aircrew recovery process was simulated using an instrumented anthropomorphic test dummy, which recorded critical loads, moments, and accelerations that would be experienced by ejected pilots.

• The entire sequence was captured through onboard and ground-based imaging systems. 

• The test at Rail Track Rocket Sled facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh, validated canopy severance, ejection sequencing and complete aircrew-recovery.

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

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)