DRDO Conducts Maiden Live Jump of Advanced High-Altitude Parachute
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the inaugural live jump of its indigenously developed Advanced High-Altitude Parachute (AHAP) system at one of India's highest-altitude drop zones, Nyoma (Mudh DZ). The jump was executed from 16,000 feet above mean sea level (AMSL), with parachute deployment occurring at 15,500 feet AMSL and landing at the Nyoma drop zone situated at 13,700 feet AMSL.
The AHAP is a static line parachute system designed for mass drop of paratroopers, developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) in Agra. The system offers multiple deployment modes and features a very wide operational altitude range of up to 18,000 feet, with specially designed descent rates that provide enhanced safety for high-altitude tactical operations. The parachute system has been manufactured by the Ordnance Parachute Factory (OPF) in Kanpur, inspected by DGAQA, and certified by CEMILAC, RCMA Kanpur.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh commended DRDO, Defence Forces, DPSUs, and industry partners on this successful demonstration, characterizing it as another significant step toward achieving Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in defense capabilities. Defence Secretary and Secretary of Department of Defence R&D & Chairman of DRDO, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, also congratulated the team members involved in the design and development of the system.