India Joins Elite Club After Successful Fighter Jet Escape System Test
Chandigarh – India has achieved a significant milestone in its indigenous defense capabilities, joining an elite group of nations with the successful high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the complex dynamic test at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh.
The test, carried out on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, validated critical aspects of the escape system, including canopy severance, ejection sequencing, and complete aircrew recovery. According to the Ministry of Defence, this achievement places India among a select few countries with advanced in-house capabilities for testing such systems.
Unlike static tests, dynamic ejection trials simulate real-life conditions to evaluate ejection seat performance and canopy severance efficacy. During the test, a dual-sled system, incorporating the forebody of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, was propelled to a precisely controlled velocity of 800 km/h. This was achieved through the phased firing of multiple solid-propellant rocket motors. An instrumented Anthropomorphic Test Dummy was used to record critical data, including loads, moments, and accelerations experienced during the ejection sequence. Onboard and ground-based imaging systems captured the entire sequence for detailed analysis.
The trial was undertaken in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Senior officials from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Institute of Aerospace Medicine witnessed the test for certification purposes.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, IAF, ADA, HAL, and industry partners for the successful test. He hailed it as a significant milestone in India's journey towards self-reliance in defense technology and a major boost to indigenous defense capabilities. Dr. Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also commended the teams involved for their successful demonstration.
The data from the trial will be used to further refine and qualify indigenous escape technologies for current and future fighter fleets. By developing and validating its own canopy severance and aircrew recovery systems, India aims to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and tailor safety solutions to its specific aircraft requirements. DRDO established the four-kilometer Rail Track Rocket Sled Penta Rail Supersonic Track at TBRL in 2014. The national test facility is among only a handful of its kind globally.
