DRDO Tests Indigenous Military Combat Parachute System in Ladakh

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted the first successful test of its locally-developed Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) at the drop zone of Nyoma-Mudh in Ladakh, which is among the highest drop zones in the world. The test included a jump from an altitude of 22,000 feet above mean sea level and minus 15 degrees Celsius temperature.

DRDO Conducts High-Altitude MCPS Test

The high-altitude test was conducted by the jumpers from Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra, DRDO.

Amongst the participants of the jump were Wing Commander Rahul Jha (chief test jumper), Master Warrant Officers RJ Singh and Vivek Tiwari. They all used the MCPS and its locally-developed components such as para computer, oxygen system and special jumpsuits.

The parachute was dropped at an altitude of 20,000 feet and the jumpers landed safely at 13,700 feet.

As per the information provided by DRDO, the trial proved the efficiency, reliability and tactical usability of the Military Combat Parachute System in extreme high-altitude conditions.

Why is the MCPS Significant?

The MCPS has been co-developed by the ADRDE of DRDO, Agra and the DEBEL, Bengaluru.

The system incorporates tactical attributes like reduced rate of descent and improved guidance. The system allows soldiers to parachute from aircraft at predefined altitudes and land at pre-determined zones.

These attributes become essential for special airborne missions carried out in difficult and high altitude terrain conditions.

NavIC Compliant to Reduce Dependency on Other Nations

One of the significant attributes of the indigenously developed Military Combat Parachute System is the compatibility with NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation).

Using the native navigation system can reduce dependency on other nations’ navigation systems. It could also help reduce any possible external interference in military operations through denying navigation facilities.

This enhances the significance of the MCPS further, especially since India is developing indigenous capacity in various crucial defense technologies.

Previous Successful High-Altitude Parachute Jump

The current experiment in Ladakh comes hot on the heels of yet another successful MCPS demonstration carried out in October last year.

Indian Air Force test pilots made a combat freefall jump from 32,000 feet using the parachute system.

This has ensured that MCPS is the only operational parachute system being used by the Indian Armed Forces that can be deployed above 25,000 feet.

The Nyoma-Mudh demonstration once again proved that the system could operate effectively in harsh high altitude conditions.