NEW DELHI: The Defence Research and Development Organisation has transferred technology for an indigenous 20-tonne Heavy Drop System to Punjab-based JCBL Group, strengthening India’s capabilities in aerial delivery of heavy military equipment.
The technology transfer agreement covers the Type V Heavy Drop System, developed by JCBL Group’s defence division Airbornics Defence & Space in collaboration with DRDO’s Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment.
The system is designed for use with heavy transport aircraft, including the C-130J Super Hercules and C-17 Globemaster. It can be used to air-drop heavy equipment and vehicles in areas where road access is difficult or unavailable.
A heavy drop system allows military equipment that is too large or heavy for conventional personnel parachutes to be transported from aircraft and delivered to the ground using parachute-based systems.
The equipment is secured to a specially designed platform inside the aircraft. During an airdrop, an extraction parachute pulls the platform and its load out of the aircraft. The main parachute system then deploys to slow the descent and allow the equipment to reach the ground safely.
The Type V system has a carrying capacity of up to about 20 tonnes and is designed for low-velocity airdrops.
According to details released about the technology, critical components including the main parachutes, extractor systems and drop platforms have been designed and engineered domestically.
The system was successfully tested by the Indian Army earlier this year.
The capability can help transport vehicles, supplies and other heavy equipment to remote or difficult terrain without depending entirely on road infrastructure or conventional landing facilities.
The transfer of technology from DRDO to an Indian industry partner is also part of the wider effort to increase private-sector participation in defence technology and manufacturing.
The development combines aerospace engineering, parachute systems, load management and transport aircraft capabilities.
The indigenous heavy drop system is expected to provide the armed forces with another option for moving large military payloads quickly into areas where conventional ground transportation may be difficult.
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