Advanced High-Altitude Parachute:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted the maiden live jump of the indigenously developed Advanced High-Altitude Parachute (AHAP) at Nyoma (Mudh DZ) in Ladakh.
- Advanced High-Altitude Parachute is a static-line parachute system for the mass drop of paratroopers.
- It has been designed and developed by DRDO’s Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra.
- The system has been manufactured by Ordnance Parachute Factory (OPF), Kanpur.
- It is certified by the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), RCMA Kanpur.
- The parachute offers multiple deployment modes and an operational altitude range of up to 18,000 feet, with a rate of descent suited to the tactical requirements of the Indian Defence Forces in high-altitude terrain.
- Static-line parachute jumps at such altitudes pose significant challenges due to high opening shock and rate of descent.
- Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification is the certification agency of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
- Its primary function is the certification of military aircraft and airborne systems.
- The Airworthiness function is implemented through the fourteen Regional Centres of Military Airworthiness (RCMAs) located across India.
- CEMILAC, along with RCMAs with a specific core competence carries out airworthiness certification of military airborne products designed and developed by DRDO laboratories, other government agencies, ordnance factories, defence public sector units and private industries.
