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GPS used to ‘steer’ cargo parachutes
Tuesday, 11 September, 2007
Airborne Systems has developed a family of precision cargo aerial delivery systems in support of a US Army programme, known as JPADS (Joint Precision Aerial Delivery Systems). Said to be the only source for a common guidance platform for all types, Airborne Systems is a global company that combines leading parachute brands including GQ Parachutes, Irvin Aerospace, Para-Flite and Aircraft Materials (AML).
The company makes innovative use of GPS to ‘steer’ cargo to the target location and has developed a series of precision delivery systems for use with varying weights and sizes of cargo load. Information on how to steer cargo parachutes is available on Stand 176 in the UK Pavilion. The system can be controlled from the ground or from the air and used to deliver personnel or supplies to remote regions such as the mountains of Afghanistan, or to bring humanitarian relief to dangerous situations such as in crisis-torn Darfur.
A commonality feature ensures optimal system performance and minimises user-training requirements. This ‘family’ approach ensures that the user interface on the autonomous guidance units and the mission planner are identical for MicroFly (100-500 lb), FireFly (700-2,200 lb), DragonFly (5,000-10,000 lb) and MegaFly (20,000- 30,000 lb), the world’s largest and strongest ram-air parachute.
 The FireFly system has been selected by the US Army for the 2,000 lb load category of the JPADS requirement and will begin urgent fielding in 2008 |