The DRDO has carried out a high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system at a controlled velocity, validating key safety features including canopy severance, ejection sequencing and complete aircrew recovery. The Defence Ministry said the test places India in “an elite club of nations” with advanced in-house escape system testing capability.

What was tested

According to officials, a rocket-sled test uses a system mounted on rocket propulsion and run at high speed along a rail track to simulate a moving aircraft in mid-air.

The DRDO executed the trial at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh.

In a post on X, the Defence Minister’s office said, “Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has successfully conducted a high-speed rocket-sled test of fighter aircraft escape system at precisely controlled velocity of 800 km/h - validating canopy severance, ejection sequencing and complete aircrew-recovery at Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh.”

How the test was carried out

The ministry stated that a “dual-sled system with the LCA aircraft forebody was propelled to precisely controlled velocity through phased firing of multiple solid propellant rocket motors”.

To assess the recovery sequence, “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”.

Onboard and ground-based imaging systems captured the entire sequence.

Why the test matters

Officials from the Indian Air Force and the Institute of Aerospace Medicine witnessed the test.

The Defence Ministry said, “Dynamic ejection tests are significantly more complex than static tests such as 'net test' or 'zero-zero test', and real measure for evaluating ejection seat performance and efficacy of canopy severance system.”

Who was involved

The trial was conducted in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the IAF, ADA and HAL, calling the test a major milestone in India’s push for indigenous defence capability and self-reliance.

Department of Defence R&D Secretary and DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat also commended the team for the successful demonstration.