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Airborne Systems wins advanced parachute contract for US Army - July 2001 |
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Airborne Systems, wholly owned by Alchemy Partners has won a major contract to develop a
new, replacement parachute system for the United States Army.
Airborne Systems (comprising US based Para-Flite Incorporated together with UK based Irvin-GQ
and Aircraft Materials Limited), has been contracted to complete development of the Advanced
Tactical Parachute System (ATPS) XT-11. The new system includes a main parachute developed by
Para-Flite, a reserve parachute developed by Irvin-GQ and hardware developed by AML. Final trials
are set for completion in 2003.
The XT-11 will replace the T-10 Troop Parachute Assembly that has been in use since the 1950s.
Principally used for massed tactical parachute assaults and designed to handle a gross weight of
250 pounds, the T10 has served the military well, but today's airborne soldiers are now conducting
parachute assaults at all-up-weights approaching 400 pounds.
In a typical combat mission, troops drop from as low as 500 feet at aircraft speeds between
130-150 knots. The new parachute reduces the rate of descent by 25 percent, from 21 to 16 feet
per second. This improvement in performance yields a 40 percent reduction in impact energy and
is expected to cut landing injuries significantly.
ATPS is expected to enter service in 2004/5 and an initial production quantity of 5000 systems
is anticipated.
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