The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out a high-speed rocket sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system, validating canopy severance, ejection sequencing, and complete aircrew recovery at a precisely controlled speed of 800 km/h. The test was conducted at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh.
Conducted in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the complex dynamic test places India among a select group of nations that possess advanced, in-house capability to evaluate high-speed escape systems. Officials said dynamic ejection trials are far more challenging than static tests and offer the most realistic assessment of ejection seat performance.
For the test, a dual-sled system fitted with the LCA aircraft forebody was accelerated to the required velocity through phased firing of multiple solid-propellant rocket motors. The successful demonstration marks a significant advancement in India’s fighter safety systems and indigenous aerospace development.
