DRDO Conducts Maiden Live Jump of Advanced High-Altitude Parachute

Key Highlights:

• DRDO conducted the maiden live jump of the Advanced High-Altitude Parachute (AHAP) system.
• The jump was executed at Nyoma (Mudh DZ), one of India's highest-altitude drop zones.
• The parachute was deployed at 15,500 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) during the jump from 16,000 feet AMSL.
• The AHAP was designed and developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra.
• It is a static line parachute system specifically for the mass drop of paratroopers in high-altitude terrains.
• The successful trial marks a significant step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence technology.

Detailed Insights:

• The maiden live jump successfully proved the efficacy and tactical employability of the AHAP at extremely high-altitude terrains.
• The system offers various deployment modes and has a wide operational altitude range of up to 18,000 feet.
• It provides the safest rate of descent, which is crucial for the tactical requirements of the Indian Defence Forces.
• The AHAP was manufactured by Ordnance Parachute Factory (OPF) Kanpur, inspected by DGAQA, and certified by CEMILAC, RCMA Kanpur.
• Static line parachute jumps at such high altitudes are complex and inherently risky due to very high opening shock and rate of descent.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Advanced High-Altitude Parachute (AHAP): A specialized parachute system designed for safe deployment and descent of paratroopers in high-altitude environments.
• Static line parachute system: A parachute deployment method where a line attached to the aircraft automatically opens the parachute as the jumper exits.
• Mean Sea Level (AMSL): A reference point for measuring altitude, representing the average height of the sea's surface.