Modern parachute precision aerial delivery systems

Abstract

The development of parachute precision aerial delivery systems (PADS) has been going on since 1940s. Relying on the analysis of the aerodynamic characteristics of various gliding parachutes, the paper specifies the aerodynamic configuration for modern parachute precision aerial delivery systems, determines the types and considers the possibility of unifying the design of the main parachutes of such systems. The paper describes the history of gliding parachutes, summarizes the experience of developing such parachutes, and considers the evolution of maneuverable and steerable parachutes. In our study, we introduce and substantiate a new for the Russian practice classification of parachutes with aerodynamic quality. First, aerodynamic characteristics of various gliding parachutes were generalized and the main requirements for parachute PADS were indicated. Then, modern combined parachute PADS of Airbone Systems, USA, developed on the basis of double-surface parafoil parachutes were analyzed and classified with the emphasis on the types of modern systems. Since unification is most responsible for reducing the cost of industrial production of any technical systems, we considered the issues of possible unification of parachute PADS. Findings of research show that the unification of modern combined PADS depends on the common elements of control systems. It is worth noting that unification for systems of the ultralight class in terms of main parachutes is possible when using individual parachutes. For parachute systems of the middle and heavy class, intraspecific unification is possible through the use of single parachute modules.