A newly developed 16 tonne capacity Heavy Drop System (HDS) consisting of a platform and a highly advanced system of parachutes to drop loads successfully met performance parameters on Sunday. The system, which can drop loads of military stores such as vehicles including BMP class, supplies and ammunition from IL76 heavy lift aircraft, demonstrated two successful drops.
Defence sources said three prototypes of the system designed and developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), an Agra-based laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had been realised.
The system is an extension of technology developed by DRDO for ‘P-7 HDS’, a seven-tonne capacity HDS developed earlier and already accepted by Indian Army for induction.
Appreciating the development, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and Secretary of Department of Defence (Research and Development) Avinash Chander said the system offered ‘drop and drive’ capability and once inducted, it would considerably enhance the capabilities of armed forces. “DRDO is the prime agency for development of parachute systems and has developed wide range of parachute systems for applications covering delivery of military needs and human beings at battle field and remote locations, recovery (from spin) of parachute system for Light Combat Aircraft and recovery system of Space Recovery Experiment (SRE),” Chander added.
P-7 heavy drop system (P-7 HDS) has been developed for paradropping military equipment such as military vehicles and ammunition trolleys from IL-76 aircraft and comprises two main sub-system-platforms and parachute sub-system.
The platform has a set of removable wheels which provide transportability for load to be taken to the airfield by means of towing it behind a suitable vehicle once the load is prepared at the distantly located unit.
Among various mechanism, Platform Fastening and Release Lock (PFRL) is an important device which ensures safe carriage and release of load as well as from the aircraft in all possible flight manoeuvre conditions and emergency landing.
“The equipment kept on the platform is lashed with chains. The parachute system consists of three stages. The first stage is initiated on release command from air crew and extracts the load from aircraft cargo bay into airstream. Two auxiliary parachutes assist the opening of five main parachutes, each around 700 sq metres,” said a scientist associated with the project.
These parachutes reduce the descent rate to desired speed at touchdown. On impact with ground, parachutes are released by automatic disengage unit (ADU) to avoid dragging and toppling of load due to high surface wind, he added.
The design features built in the system ensure aircraft safety during separation of such a large body in a foolproof manner as well as smooth deployment of parachutes and landing of load at pre-designated target point.
The P-7 HDS has been tested extensively during the technical as well as users trials at different types of drop zones in planes, deserts and high altitude areas to prove its operational effectiveness.
During the development phase, the P-7 HDS system has participated in Army’s joint exercise (Excope-2009) with US Air Force and demonstration during Vayushakti-2010 at Pokhran witnessed by the President.
After successful completion, the system has been inducted in the Army. The bulk production of the parachute systems has started at an approximate cost of ` 180 crore.