Dod Airdrop Programs

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DoD Airdrop programs

Aerial delivery remains an increasingly critical and successful method of delivering supplies safely, accurately and rapidly to warfighters in all types of environments. Airdrops have increased (nearly doubling every year since 2005) in Afghanistan via USAF aircraft as follows: 2007: 8.2Mlbs, 2008: 16.6Mlbs, 2009: 32Mlbs and 2010 is projected to top 50Mlbs. The Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) Mission Planner utilizing Container Delivery Systems with the Low Velocity Low Cost Aerial Delivery System ( LCADS) has been the primary mode of aerial delivery and continues to save lives by reducing the number of convoys and helicopter air land missions needed to supply the dispersed soldiers and to protect aircrews and aircraft by allowing for airdrops to occur at altitudes and offsets that keep them safe from small arms fire.

The current JPADS capabilities are expanding with investments in both a wider weight range and in improving accuracy with a common focus on reducing system costs. The US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development & Engineering Center (NSRDEC) have teamed with all Department of Defense (DoD) services and numerous allied nations with interest in programs and investments in JPADS technology and systems.

The JPADS family consists of “self-guided” air vehicle systems, interfacing with a common mission planning & weather system. All have a threshold deployment altitude of 25Kft mean sea level (MSL) and a range of accuracy requirements from 10 meter circular error probable (CEP) to 250 meter CEP depending on the weight class which consist of the following:  JPADS 2K. The “700-2,400lb” air vehicle variant. In production and being used in Afghanistan.  JPADS 10K. The 5000- 10,000 lb air vehicle is in developmental testing and scheduled to begin fielding in FY12.  JPADS 30K. NSRDEC completed 15,000-42,000lb. JPADS Army Technology Objective in 2008 meeting or exceeding all objectives. A formal requirement for this capability is being pursued.  Ultra Light Weight (ULW). The 250-700lb air variant led by the USMC. A formal source selection is expected to be completed in late 4QCY10.  Micro Light Weight (MLW). This 10-150lb weight class is part of a Joint Capability Technology demonstration (JCTD). These systems will be used for delivery of medical re-supply, sensors, robots, and other payloads. The USAF Chief Scientist has published a “Report on Technology Horizons, A Vision for Air Force Science & Technology During 2010-2030” which includes a Grand Challenge proposal known as “Hyper Precision Aerial Delivery System” with a goal of consistently achieving an under 25Meter CEP for payloads in excess of 2000lb, from 25kft altitude in steep terrain under wind conditions representative of mountainous areas.

In addition, a range of high altitude low opening (HALO) prototype systems have been developed and demonstrated to include: 500-2K systems, a JIEDDO sponsored 5-10K family of systems and a 15-42K HALO system known as BPADS (Ballistic Precision Air Drop System)

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The Low Cost Low Altitude Airdrop (LCLA) System is a low cost, one time use, 50-450 lb plus, very low altitude (150ft above ground level) airdrop system. The system has airdropped over 5 Million pounds since it was first used in Afghanistan during February 2007. The system has been used for up to 1000lb payloads from C-130s (1st theater C-130 LCLA drop occurred in Feb10)

In addition to cargo systems, numerous improvements and new capabilities are being fielded and invested in for personnel airdrop systems by the US Army. This includes the continued fielding of both the T-11 and the MC-6 parachute systems as well as fielding of the new Parachutist Oxygen Mask. Investments in Military Free Fall (MFF) systems (parachutes and navigation aids) continue to increase to include investments in “combo drop” systems which link self guided JPADS systems with follow on MFF jumpers.

International Demonstrations: The Precision Airdrop Technology Conference and Demonstration (PATCAD09) is a bi-annual demonstration event held at the US Army Yuma Proving Grounds and is co-sponsored and organized by the NSRDEC. PATCAD09 took place on 19-23 Oct 09 and allowed for over 500 US and Allied participants, the opportunity to witness firsthand the breadth of precision airdrop systems' capabilities and utility, as well as the opportunity to interact with senior leaders and decision makers in the field. PATCAD09 included systems from 4 countries and demonstrated over 25 systems in weight ranges from 2lbs to 30,000 lbs with 11 aircraft and approximately11 lifts/day for three days straight. A total of over 400,000lbs were airdropped live during the PATCAD09.

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