DRDO, Navy Successfully Test Air-Droppable Logistics System ADC-150

The ADC-150, designed and developed indigenously, is capable of delivering payloads of up to 150 kg to ships operating far from the coast.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy have successfully conducted four in-flight release trials of the indigenous Air Droppable Container (ADC-150) from a P-8I maritime patrol aircraft off the coast of Goa between 21 February and 1 March 2026.

The trials were carried out under varied and extreme release conditions, demonstrating the system’s capability to deliver essential supplies during maritime operations.

Enhancing Naval Logistics at Sea

The ADC-150, designed and developed indigenously, is capable of delivering payloads of up to 150 kg to ships operating far from the coast.

The system is intended to strengthen the Indian Navy’s operational logistics capability, allowing aircraft to quickly drop essential supplies such as:

• Critical equipment and stores

• Medical supplies

• Emergency assistance items

This capability will help naval aircraft respond swiftly to ships in distress or vessels operating in remote ocean areas, reducing dependence on immediate ship-to-ship logistics support.

Indigenous Development Across DRDO Labs

The development of the system involved collaboration among several DRDO laboratories.

• Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam served as the nodal laboratory for the project.

• Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra developed the parachute delivery system.

• Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC), Bengaluru provided flight clearance and certification.

• Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad provided instrumentation support for the trials.

Trials Completed in Record Time

Officials said the ADC-150 system was developed and qualified in a short timeframe to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Navy’s P-8I aircraft, which are widely used for maritime surveillance and anti-submarine operations.

With all developmental flight trials completed successfully, the system is now expected to be inducted into the Indian Navy in the near future.

Boost to Indigenous Defence Capabilities

The successful trials mark another step in India’s efforts to develop indigenous defence technologies under the broader push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

The ADC-150 system will enable rapid aerial logistics support during maritime missions, improving operational readiness and enhancing the Navy’s ability to sustain long-duration deployments at sea.