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In recent years, GPS-guided ram-air parachutes render more flexibility
to load drops. Since 2004, the US Marine Corps have been using
Sherpa TM/MC GPS guided parachutes in Iraq, dropping 1 ton loads
within 70 meters from their designated target point. In August
2006 the first 'Screamers' were tested In Afghanistan, dropping
container delivery system bundles, containing food, water, ammunition
and other supplies, weighing 500 to 2,200 lbs (0.2 to 1 ton.),
to troops on the ground.
Precision Airdrop for Special Operations has been chosen among
the ten highest priority areas defined for NATO's Defense Against
Terrorism (DAT) effort. The purpose of the DAT program is to
develop new, cutting-edge technology to protect troops and civilians
against terrorist attacks. Precision airdrop capabilities will
enhance the capability of NATO forces to deliver personnel or
equipment stealthily and precisely under all-weather conditions
wherever they may be needed. This capability will also support
the increasing deployment of NATO troops to long-distance out-of-area
contingency operations, which have lately become in vogue.
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High altitude, precision airdrop
is expected to be key enabling technology for future forces
deployment. Such capabilities will facilitate rapid strategic
and tactical deployment of forces, supported 'just-in-time'
with supplies delivered precisely to any location throughout
the world. The increased accuracy and ability to drop to more
than one location simultaneously means that soldiers on the
ground can recover the cargo quickly and know exactly where
it will land. Such capability is providing military planners
with the capability of strategically and covertly positioning
equipment and supplies for rapidly moving ground and special
operations forces.
 Aimed
at supporting ground troops with essential supplies, the U.S.
Army Natick Soldier Center has teamed with the U.S. Air Force
Air Mobility Command to develop new air-drop capabilities, first
pushing immediately essential supplies such as ammunition, water,
fuel and medical supplies to forward deployed troops. The medium
and heavy systems will be fielded at a later phase and will
enable precision air drop of loads ranging from 20,000 to 60,000
lbs (9 – 27 tons) of cargo, more than enough to deliver
the Army's eight-wheel 19 ton Stryker combat vehicle. As the
Army transforms to the Future Combat System, JPADS will provide
the 'just-in-time' logistics needed. The ultimate goal intention
is to resupply troops anywhere in the world within 24 hours
with supplies directly flown from the United States bases. JPADS
will satisfy four 'gaps' identified in the current air-drop
capability: increased ground accuracy, standoff delivery, increased
air carrier survivability, and improved effectiveness of airdrop
mission operations.
Known as Joint Precision Air Drop System (JPADS), the program
is pursuing cargo systems in weight classes, including the "Extra
Light" (JPADS XL, 700 – 2,200 lbs / 0.3 – 1
ton) and "Light" (JPADS L 5,000 – 10,000 lbs
/ 2.2 – 4.5 ton) classes, slated for fielding within the
near term (around 2008). All systems will be required to hit
a pre-planned GPS ground target within 50 meters, cleared for
high altitude drop from 24,500 feet mean sea level, and capable
of being deployed from at least eight kilometers horizontal
offset from the ground target. Using a portable mission-planning
tool and wireless communications loadmasters will be able to
update the mission plans uploaded to the rigged JPADS before
the flight with last minute changes of drop-zone location, threats
etc.
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