DRDO ADRDE HAPS Test And 16,000-Foot Parachute Jump: The Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) in Agra achieved two important milestones on October 6. The DRDO laboratory successfully tested an indigenous High-Altitude Platform System (HAPS) and also carried out the first live jump of its Advanced High-Altitude Parachute (AHAP) at Nyoma in Ladakh.
Both systems have been developed for use by India’s armed forces. The tests are important for operations in high-altitude areas where surveillance and movement of troops can be difficult.
ADRDE’s HAPS Reaches 21 Km Altitude
The indigenous HAPS reached around 21 km above mean sea level during its test flight. It then stayed at about 20 km altitude for more than 30 minutes before it was ordered to come back down.
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The platform was watched from a ground control station throughout the flight. The team received live video and other information about the aircraft during the test. After the planned flight was completed, the HAPS was safely brought down and recovered. The flight data is now being studied.
The HAPS has several systems onboard, including:
- GPS receiver
- Onboard cameras
- Inertial measurement unit
- Altitude control system
- Other electronic and control systems
The HAPS is a lighter-than-air system being developed as a long-endurance platform for surveillance in the stratosphere. Its ability to stay at very high altitudes for long periods can help India keep watch over important areas.
The test was carried out with support from the Indian Air Force, CEMILAC, DGCA, Airports Authority of India and other civil agencies. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the IAF, PSUs and the industry involved in the trial. He described the test as an important step in India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat effort.
First Live Jump Of ADRDE’s High-Altitude Parachute At Nyoma
ADRDE also successfully tested its Advanced High-Altitude Parachute (AHAP) with a live jump at Nyoma’s Mudh Drop Zone in eastern Ladakh. A paratrooper jumped from 16,000 feet above mean sea level. The parachute opened at around 15,500 feet and the paratrooper landed safely at the Mudh Drop Zone, which is around 13,700 feet above sea level.
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The AHAP has been designed and developed by ADRDE, Agra. It’s a static-line parachute system made for dropping large numbers of paratroopers from aircraft.
The parachute has an operating altitude of up to 18,000 feet. It also has different deployment options and is designed to provide a safer rate of descent for high-altitude military operations.
High-altitude static-line jumps are difficult because parachutes can face strong opening shocks and fast descent rates. The successful Nyoma test demonstrated that the AHAP can be used in such difficult conditions. The system was manufactured by Ordnance Parachute Factory, Kanpur, inspected by DGAQA and certified by CEMILAC.
