Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy have successfully completed flight trials of the indigenous Air Droppable Container (ADC-150), a lightweight system designed to deliver up to 150 kg of emergency supplies from aircraft to remote or disaster-affected areas.
The trials, conducted from an Indian Navy Dornier aircraft off the coast of Goa, validated the container’s aerodynamic stability, parachute deployment, GPS-guided precision landing, and overall performance under realistic drop conditions. The ADC-150 demonstrated accurate delivery within a small target zone, even in varying wind and sea-state conditions, proving its suitability for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and maritime search-and-rescue operations.
Developed by DRDO’s Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment (ADRDE) in Agra, the ADC-150 is a fully indigenous, cost-effective solution that can be dropped from fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters at altitudes between 3,000 and 10,000 feet. It features a modular design with a rugged composite shell, GPS-aided navigation, and an automatic parachute release system that ensures safe descent and soft landing of critical cargo such as medical supplies, food packets, life rafts, and communication equipment.
The successful trials mark a major milestone in India’s push for self-reliance in defence technologies. Once inducted, the ADC-150 will significantly enhance the Navy’s ability to provide rapid humanitarian aid during cyclones, floods, shipwrecks, or remote island emergencies, while also supporting special operations and logistics in challenging maritime environments.
DRDO officials described the system as a “game-changer” for time-critical missions where traditional delivery methods are slow or risky. The container is expected to enter limited production soon, with plans for further variants carrying heavier payloads and extended ranges.
