Airborne Systems Sets New Payload Record for Largest Autonomously Guided Ram-Air
Parachute
YUMA, Ariz., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Airborne Systems, a world leader in parachute design and manufacturing,
announced today they successfully completed a test drop deploying 40,000 lbs. of
payload under a single ram-air parachute, surpassing the previous payload record
of 33,000 lbs. set in September. The new precision guided cargo delivery system
called the GigaFly landed fully autonomously at a gentle 14 feet per second rate-
of-descent approximately 100 meters from the intended point of impact.
GigaFly is part of a new generation of GPS guided parachutes that are
changing military re-supply. The gliding characteristics of ram-air parachutes
allow these new systems to land a significant distance, up to 22 kilometers away,
and at altitudes as high as 25,000 feet from their point of release. Using its
specially designed on board GPS guidance unit and software, GigaFly
can guide itself to a designated point on the ground. Traditional cargo
delivery systems require aircrews to fly at 2,500 feet or lower to be
accurate, which is within the range of small arms fire. This increased
capability allows distances that keep the deploying aircraft and crew safe, while
the accuracy reduces the vulnerability of the ground troops receiving
the supplies.
GigaFly's 10,400 square foot canopy is immense by ram-air parachute
standards. Its wingspan of 195 feet is close to the width of the wingspan of a
Boeing 747 (211 ft). The parafoil has the potential to provide the army with
high altitude precision airdrop capability for bulk supply, equipment and
vehicles within the existing capability range of LVADS (Low Velocity Aerial
Delivery Systems). The demand for an accurate heavy payload aerial delivery
system led the U.S. Army to develop this type of new technology. GigaFly's
test was conducted as part of a U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development
& Engineering Center development program. The U.S. Army has already selected
Airborne Systems' FireFly(TM) for their 2K (2,000 lb) platform and
DragonFly(TM) for their standard 10K (10,000 lb) JPADS platform.
All Airborne Systems' JPADS platforms use common hardware and software
architecture to ensure maximum interoperability and minimum training and
logistics burden in theater. "During the week we successfully flew the entire
family of systems with payloads ranging from 200 lbs to 40,000 lbs," said JC
Berland, Airborne Systems' Chief Technology Officer. "The speed at which this
technology is maturing is simply breathtaking."
About Airborne Systems
Airborne Systems has combined the core technologies of four of the world's
leading parachute brands: Irvin Aerospace, GQ Parachutes, Para-Flite and AML
(Aircraft Materials, Ltd). Airborne Systems is a world leader in the design,
development, and manufacture of best-of-class parachutes for military,
personnel, and cargo systems, space and air vehicle recovery systems, and
deceleration systems for high-performance aircraft. The company also provides
airbags, ordnance flare chutes and weapons delivery systems. Airborne Systems
has manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada and in the U.K.
Information about the various Airborne Systems products and services can be
found on the World Wide Web at http://www.airborne-sys.com
SOURCE: Airborne Systems
CONTACT: Gary Calvaneso
Executive Vice President of Marketing of Airborne Systems
+1-949-933-8247
gary.calvaneso@airborne-sys.com
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