India-made 'Air Droppable Containers': What they are and how they boost naval logistics

NEW DELHI: India has successfully conducted in-flight release trials of the indigenous air droppable container ‘ADC-150’ from P8I aircraft. The system is designed to deliver emergency supplies to naval ships operating far from the coast.

According to the defence ministry, the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian navy carried out four successful in-flight release trials of an indigenous air droppable container system, called ADC-150. The trials were conducted from a Boeing P-8I Poseidon aircraft off the coast of Goa between February 21 and March 1.

Officials said the system has been designed to deliver payloads weighing up to 150 kg. It can be used to send critical stores, equipment or medical aid to naval vessels that may be in distress or require urgent supplies while deployed in the open sea.

The ministry said the trials were conducted under different extreme release conditions. With the developmental flight trials completed successfully, the system is expected to be inducted into the navy soon.

ADC-150

The air droppable container, or ADC-150, is an indigenously designed system that allows aircraft to deliver supplies to ships operating far from the coastline.

The container can carry up to 150 kg of cargo. It is dropped from an aircraft and is designed to reach ships deployed at sea so they can retrieve the supplies while continuing their operations.

The system improves naval operational logistics by enabling a quick response when vessels need critical stores, spare equipment or medical assistance while deployed in “blue sea” areas away from land.

Ships sometimes face machinery or equipment issues while at sea. In such situations, delivering spare parts quickly becomes necessary to continue operations.

The ADC-150 system was developed specifically to meet the navy’s requirement for use with the P-8I aircraft. Officials said it was designed and qualified within a short timeframe.

The defence ministry said several DRDO laboratories contributed to the development and testing of the system.

The Naval Science and Technological Laboratory in Visakhapatnam served as the nodal laboratory for the project. The Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment in Agra developed the parachute system used for the container.

The Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification in Bengaluru provided flight clearance and certification, while the Defence Research and Development Laboratory in Hyderabad supported the trials with instrumentation.