¨
A high-speed
rocket-sledge test of a fighter aircraft escape system successfully conducted
by DRDO.
¨
On 2 December, a
high-speed rocket-sledge test of a fighter aircraft escape system was
successfully carried out by DRDO at a controlled velocity.
¨
With this advanced
dynamic test, India was placed among the select nations possessing in-house
capability for testing high-performance escape systems.
¨
The test was undertaken
jointly with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited (HAL) at the Rail Track Rocket Sledge facility of the Terminal
Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh.
¨
Raksha Mantri Rajnath
Singh extended praise to DRDO, IAF, ADA, HAL and industry partners, recognising
the achievement as a major step toward indigenous self-reliance.
¨
It was explained that
dynamic ejection tests are far more complex than static assessments like Net
tests or Zero-Zero tests, and are used to evaluate the performance of ejection
seats and canopy-severance systems.
¨
A dual-sledge setup
carrying the LCA aircraft forebody was propelled to a precisely regulated
velocity through phased ignition of multiple solid rocket motors.
¨
Canopy fragilisation patterns,
ejection sequencing and recovery mechanisms were simulated using an
instrumented Anthropomorphic Test Dummy, designed to mimic real pilot
responses.
¨
Critical loads,
accelerations and forces experienced during an actual ejection were recorded to
assess pilot safety during high-speed escape situations.
¨
The entire ejection
sequence was captured using onboard cameras and ground-based imaging systems
for thorough analysis and validation.
