DRDO's Successful High-Speed Rocket-Sled Test

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system, placing India among the elite nations with in-house escape system testing capabilities.

Test Overview

• Conducted in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• Executed at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh.
• A ground-based testing system using rocket propulsion to simulate flight conditions.
• The test reached a controlled velocity of 800 km/h using phased firing of multiple solid propellant rocket motors.

Importance of Dynamic Ejection Tests

• More complex than static tests, essential for evaluating pilot escape aids like ejection seats and canopy severance systems.
• Modern ejection seats involve small explosive cartridges and rocket motors for safe ejection.
• Testing includes canopy removal, seat firing, stabilization, and parachute deployment.
• Ensures pilot safety under various conditions, including high speeds and different flight scenarios.

Technical Details

• Used human-like test dummies with sensors to record physical stresses.
• Recorded critical loads, rotations, and accelerations experienced during ejection.
• Captured by onboard and ground-based imaging systems.

Strategic Milestone

• Marks significant progress in India’s indigenous defense capabilities and self-reliance.
• Reduces reliance on foreign testing facilities and costs significantly less.
• Shortens development cycles for ejection systems for current and future aircraft.

Additional Context

• TBRL's RTRS can test systems at supersonic speeds, operational since 2014.
• Previously tested drogue parachutes for India's Gaganyan spacecraft in February.
• The testing facility includes advanced measurement mechanisms developed over the past year.