-
David
The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment. -
Here is the article on it........
High-tech wings made of carbon fibres will help to transport special operations forces with even greater speed and safety to the location where they are to be deployed. The wing (span: 1.80 metres), which will be attached to the backs of special operations troops, is the latest development to the parachute system already in use.
A few years ago, ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH, as part of the
SPELCO Consortium, together with Draeger, designed a parachute system for the German Bundeswehr’s special operations units. This system has been in use since 2003 and is known as SHAPS (Special High Altitude Parachute System). It makes it possible for these forces to jump from a height of about 33,000 feet and to cover a distance of up to 40 kilometres while carrying up to 100 kilogrammes of equipment. Parachutists can thus penetrate into areas that are difficult to reach without their transport planes having to fly into a danger zone. This parachute system is almost 100% silent and it is also extremely difficult to detect using air or ground-based radar systems.
18 subsystems with 66 modules are contained in this high-tech parachute system. For example, the parachutists require an oxygen supply and a navigation system if they are going to jump from heights of approximately 10 kilometres. In contrast to the other countries’ armed forces which use similar parachutes, the Bundeswehr uses a modularly constructed system, in which all components have been designed for optimal compatibility with each other, thus providing the soldiers with the highest safety standards possible.
The parachute system will in future be complemented by a special subsystem, which is currently in its development phase. This will be a modular wing, called GRYPHON, that is connected to the parachute. Soldiers will then be able to glide through the air at speeds of up to 200 km/h. This will reduce the duration of the descent from approximately 45 minutes to approximately 15 minutes. Unlike the previous system, this wing can be used in almost all types of weather. With the newly developed wing, the range of possible applications of the parachute will be increased considerably.
The wing will be equipped with a guiding and stabilisation system. Testing is currently being carried out, and the wing should be ready for use as an addition to the present parachute system by the end of this year.Ric
Plan for the worst, hope for the best!
Tweet
Comment