The Canopy Severance System for a Fighter Aircraft.
                     THE CANOPY 
SEVERANCE SYSTEM 
FOR A FIGHTER 
AIRCRAFT
INTRODUCTION
India has its own canopy severance 
system (CSS) that has been 
developed by Armament Research 
and Development Establishment 
(ARDE), Pune, DRDO in association 
with High Energy Material Research 
Laboratory. 
It has been indigenously developed 
for LCA Tejas and Trainer Aircraft, 
HJT-36 and HTT-40.
Source: www.jagranjosh.com
What is a Canopy 
Severance System?
• Canopy Severance System is an 
escape path clearance system that is 
used by the pilots in case of 
emergencies happening while flying. 
• It also provides a safe passage by 
pre weakening/ severing the canopy 
to facilitate the smooth escape of the 
pilot as soon as possible. 
Source: www.jagranjosh.com
What is a Canopy 
Severance System 
cont.
• This is a life saving system of a 
fighter aircraft helping it to safely eject 
pilots at the time of need. Two major 
components required for functioning 
of CSS are 
• MDC for cutting the bubble of canopy 
Source: www.jagranjosh.com
Functions
• Explosive Transfer Line (ETL) for 
transmission of explosive shock from 
one point to another.
• MDC and ETL function with a velocity 
of detonation of 6000 m/s ensuring 
that the cutting action of the Canopy 
occurs in less than 5 m sec from the 
time of initiation
Source: www.jagranjosh.com
About 
indegenious CSS
• he CSS project for LCA Tejas and its 
trainer aircraft was tested 
successfully in London and Moscow
• The GOCL has already supplied eight 
units of the CSS after fulfilling 
qualification and functional tests 
Source: www.jagranjosh.com
About indegenious 
CSS cont.
• All aircraft are undergoing test flights 
with CSS
• LCA TD-1,TD-2 and PV-1 have been 
assembled with indigenous CSS
Source: www.jagranjosh.com
How does the 
Canopy Severance 
System Work?
• CSS works on the principle of 
controlled propagation of detonation 
using explosive mechanical energy. 
• It consists of critical mechanical and 
explosive components that may be 
apt for military grade devices and be 
reliable enough. 
Source: www.jagranjosh.com
Subsystems of 
Canopy Severance 
System 
• The subsystems of Canopy 
Severance System have two 
independent subsystems:
i) In Flight Egress System
ii) Ground Egress System
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What is an In- 
Flight Egress 
System?
• The In Flight Egress System is useful 
for in-flight emergencies. 
• It is integrated with main escape 
system operation and with seat 
ejection operation. 
Source: www.jagranjosh.com
What is the Ground 
Egress System?
• The Ground Egress System is for on-
ground emergencies and is majorly 
independent of the main escape 
system and also of seat ejection. 
Source: www.jagranjosh.com