The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden live jump of the Advanced High-Altitude Parachute (AHAP) at Nyoma (Mudh DZ), one of the highest-altitude drop zones, demonstrating the system’s efficacy and tactical employability in extremely high-altitude terrain.
The jump was executed at an altitude of 16,000 feet above mean sea level (AMSL). The parachute was deployed at 15,500 feet AMSL, while the landing was undertaken at Nyoma (Mudh DZ), located at an altitude of 13,700 feet.
The successful live jump demonstrated the capability of the AHAP system to operate in extremely high-altitude terrain. The trial also established its tactical employability for the requirements of the Indian Defence Forces in such operational environments.
The Advanced High-Altitude Parachute has been designed and developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra. The AHAP is a static line parachute system designed for the mass drop of paratroopers.
The system has been manufactured by the Ordnance Parachute Factory (OPF), Kanpur. It was inspected by the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) and certified by the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), RCMA Kanpur.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the AHAP offers various deployment modes and has a wide operational altitude range extending up to 18,000 feet. The system also provides a safe rate of descent, making it suited to the tactical requirements of the Indian Defence Forces for high-altitude terrains.
Static line parachute jumps at high altitudes present complex and inherently risky conditions because of the very high opening shock and rate of descent. The maiden live jump at Nyoma therefore provided an operational demonstration of the indigenous parachute system under extremely high-altitude conditions.
The successful trial involved the complete sequence from the high-altitude jump and parachute deployment to landing at the Nyoma drop zone. The parachute was deployed at 15,500 feet AMSL following the jump from 16,000 feet AMSL, with the landing taking place at 13,700 feet.
The development and successful live demonstration of the AHAP represent an indigenous effort towards meeting the high-altitude operational requirements of the Indian Defence Forces. The system’s development involved DRDO’s ADRDE, the Ordnance Parachute Factory, DGAQA and CEMILAC.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, the Defence Forces, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and industry on the successful maiden live jump of the indigenous AHAP parachute system. He termed the achievement another major step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Defence Secretary and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh also congratulated the team members associated with the design and development of the system.
The maiden live jump at Nyoma marks a significant stage in the development and operational evaluation of the Advanced High-Altitude Parachute, with the successful demonstration confirming its efficacy and tactical employability in extremely high-altitude terrain.
