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Archive for the ‘Parachuting’ Category

Corps Completes Final JPADS Delivery to Marines

Friday, June 30th, 2017

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Virginia— Marine Corps Systems Command fielded the last of 162 Joint Precision Airdrop Systems to the fleet in April, turning the page from acquisition to sustainment of the system for the Corps.


Marine parachute riggers with 1st Marine Logistics Group and a crew chief with Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron-22 (VMX-22) prepare to deploy a palletized load from above 10,000 feet during the Joint Precision Airdrop System testing Aug. 1, at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground. The JPADS systems use GPS, a modular autonomous guidance unit, or MAGU, a parachute and electric motors to guide cargo within 150 meters of their target points. Marine Corps Systems Command fielded the last of 162 JPADS to the fleet in April, turning the page from acquisition to sustainment of the system for the Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reba James)

When the JPADS 2K was introduced to the Marine Corps in 2008, it opened the door to a potentially life- saving capability for Marines on the ground and in the air. In 2013, the Corps upgraded to the 2K-Modular which included an improved modular autonomous guidance unit called the MAGU. JPADS 2K-M improved accuracy over traditional airdrops while simultaneously enabling aircraft to conduct drops at higher altitudes and longer distances from the drop zone.

“JPADS brings an important capability to Marines,” said Capt. Keith Rudolf, Aerial Delivery project officer with Marine Corps Systems Command’s Ground Combat Element Systems. “It’s not the answer for every situation, but the main goal is to keep people off the roads in an [improvised explosive device] environment or when small units are in locations that are not easily accessible by traditional logistic means.”
JPADS is ideal for cases where it is easier and safer to deliver equipment and supplies to ground units from the air versus using a convoy, Rudolf said.

“An average combat logistics patrol in Afghanistan that’s running behind a route clearance platoon may travel at only five to six miles an hour,” he said. “Depending on how much supply you have on there, you may have a mile worth of trucks that are slow-moving targets. [JPADS] negates a lot of that.”

The system also helps keep aircrews out of harm’s way.

“From the aircraft perspective, [JPADS] can be dropped from up to 25 kilometers away from the intended target, while still landing within 150 meters of the programed impact point,” Rudolf said. “Throughout testing, the systems often averaged much greater accuracy. That means the aircraft does not have to fly directly over a danger zone where they could be engaged with small arms or enemy threats on the ground. They can fly outside of that and because the system is autonomous, it will fly its best path down to where it needs to go.”

SOFWERX Seeks Teams To Develop A K9 O2 Mask For HAHO Jumps

Monday, May 8th, 2017

Jump The Dog: Canine Oxygen Mask for High Altitude High Opening (HAHO)

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OpenWERX provides the general public with monthly opportunities to collaborate on innovative approaches relevant to SOCOM and other federal government agencies.

Prizes: First place: $6,000 – Second place: $4,000 – Third place: $2,000

OpenWERX Challenge-Jump the Dog

Open the description PDF here.

Here are some measurements that can be used as a guide to help develop the proper sizes for the masks:

– The average for a standard Belgian malinois is a nose length of approximately 4? with a circumference of approximately 10?.

– Variations in sizes should be able to accommodate nose lengths from 3? up to 5?, and circumferences of 8? up to 13?.

It might also be useful to do an Internet search for “how measure for a muzzle”, and other information about what will be comfortable for a dog (i.e. how much extra space to provide for the dog so as not to force their mouth completely shut). This site is an example.

Each team will create a video (10 minutes or less) presenting their concept to SOFWERX. The video will be viewed by the judging panel prior to the event. The teams will attend the OpenWERX event 1 June virtually or in person to answer questions by the judging panel.

June 1 Schedule
5:30-5:55 PM Networking (At SOFWERX)
5:55-6:05 PM Introductions
6:05-6:10 PM Air Bud Q&A
6:15-6:20 PM Summit Oxygen USA Q&A
6:20-6:25 PM Canine Performance Sciences Q&A
6:25-6:30 PM DKE Labs Q&A
6:30-6:35 PM Hack Tampa Q&A
6:35-6:40 PM Whiz-bang Q&A
6:40-6:45 PM Tampa Deep Sea Xplorers Q&A
6:45-6:50 PM The Shade Tree Mechanics Q&A
6:50-7:00 PM Tampa Technik Q&A
7:00-7:05 PM Birch Bunch
7:05-7:10 PM Break
7:10-7:15 PM Rossini Design Group Q&A
7:15-7:20 PM Frontier Labs Q&A
7:20-7:25 PM O.T.H.ER Team Q&A
7:25-7:30 PM Mako Design Q&A
7:30-7:35 PM Tampa Deep Sea Xplorers – Team Red Q&A
7:35-7:40 PM (MooLabs) Q&A
7:40-7:45 PM Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. Q&A
7:45-7:50 PM Quiet Professionals Q&A
7:50-7:55 PM IAG HAHO Dog Q&A
7:55-8:30 PM Judging
8:30 PM Prizes Awarded
9:00-9:15 PM Next Challenge Announced

USAF Standing Up MFF Parachutist Course For Battlefield Airmen

Thursday, April 13th, 2017


(USAF photo by Capt Jessica Tait)

Despite a couple of delays, the US Air Force is closing in on standing up a Military Free Fall Parachutist qualification course for its Battlefield Airmen. Like the US Navy’s course, it will be run by contractors, and the curriculum will be certified by USSOCOM and USASOC as well as AETC. Unlike the USN course, students will not earn their Static Line parachutist qualification, but will already be graduates of the Ft Benning course upon attendence of the AF MFF course. Students will meet all of the standards of the Army MFF course, but it will be conducted at a contractor facility, utilizing contract aircraft.

MFF training is an initial skills course that provides academic, ground, vertical wind tunnel/simulation, and military freefall training to first time jumpers that meets United States Special Operations Command/United States Army Special Operations Command (USSOCOM/USASOC) curriculum requirements.

Sister service parachute training has been stood up due to limited availability of course quotas for the Army MFF course. The Navy has been using a contractor run course for over a decade and added S/L training to their parachutist course because the Ft Benning curriculum lasts three weeks. While NSW primarily conducts MFF parachute ops, they certify their students in S/L procedures within the first few days of their training course.

Final contractor proposals are due on 2 May, 2017. Hopefully, we’ll see a pilot course before the end of the fiscal year.

Which One Were You?

Monday, March 27th, 2017

The Red Devils Jump with Ops-Core FAST Carbon Helmets and New Vented Liner Kit

Wednesday, March 15th, 2017

Liner provides increased helmet comfort during month-long training and charitable jumps in California

Carbondale, PA, March 15, 2017. Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces, emergency responders, and industrial personnel announced today that its partners, The Red Devils , will conduct their team training and promotional jumps this month in California testing Gentex Corporation’s latest innovation, the Ops-Core Vented Lux Liner Kit .Designed for extended use, the new helmet liner will deliver increased comfort and fit in the Ops-Core FAST Carbon High Cut Helmets, which Gentex provides to each of the 12 members of The Red Devils, the official parachute display team of both The Parachute Regiment (The Paras) and the British Army.

“Gentex is proud to support The Red Devils in their mission to promote The Paras and the British Army, both long time customers of Gentex Corporation,” said Tom Short, vice president ground systems, Gentex Corporation. “Through this partnership we have the opportunity to help promote our common goal of advancing parachuting and skydiving safety, which the Ops-Core FAST Carbon Helmets and new Vented Lux Liner Kits are ideal for.”

Compatible with both the Ops-Core FAST and Bump Helmets, the Ops-Core Vented Lux Liner Kit employs vents and a more streamlined geometry than the standard Ops-Core Lux Liner for increased airflow, comfort, and a better fit, which are ideal for extended missions.Two retention systems are available with the kit: the Worm-Dial, which provides a quick adjustment in a low profile fitband, and the traditional H-Nape, which is designed to provide NVG stability.

Corporal Nathan Connolly, The Red Devils Team Leader, commented, “Our partnership with Gentex Corporation equips our team with the advanced Ops-Core helmet, allowing us to train and practice new canopy formations with a helmet that provides outstanding protection, and now added comfort and fit with the vented liner.In addition to its safety and comfort features, the Ops-Core helmet also enables us to maintain perfect all-round observation and clear voice communication; key components when practicing Canopy Relative Work.”

Joining The Red Devils during their training jump in California is guest jumper Chief Master Sergeant Christopher Kellam, (USAF, Ret). Kellam, also a retired detective from the Chicopee, MA police force, was invited to join the jump to help promote the Air Force Aid Society, the official charity of the U.S. Air Force who’s mission is to support Airmen and enhance the Air Force mission by relieving emergency financial distress, helping Airmen and their families achieve their educational goals, and improving their quality of life through proactive programs.

With its unique system design and rail technology for mounting helmet accessories, Ops-Core is today’s leading brand of modular, scalable, open-architecture helmet systems for elite defense and security forces. Ops-Core helmet system platforms and components are designed to seamlessly work together to provide true system level performance for modern forces.

Magpul CORE – USMC World Record Parachute Landing

Thursday, February 2nd, 2017

Magpul CORE Instructor and USMC Captain Cody Carroll broke the USMC world record parachute landing at 15000 ft MSL last November at Ama Dablam in the highest mountain range in the world, The Himalayas. He utilized a Topout Oxygeneering Ltd oxygen system and a Complete Parachute Solutions parachute system to achieve the record. He even strapped on a 70 lb rucksack just to make it a little less easy.

S&S Precision Maker Monday – NavBoard FlipMod

Wednesday, January 11th, 2017

Its not Monday but we’re hosting a Maker’s Monday anyway, what with SHOT Show less than a week away.

Our newest addition to the NavBoards comes with the release of the FlipMod, whose intuitive design and configurability makes it stand out in the crowd. The NavBoard FlipMod can be previewed at SHOT Show 2017 booth #8206.

www.sandsprecision.com

SSD Saturday Night At The Movies Presents Classix: Die Luftwaffe der Bundeswehr 

Sunday, December 11th, 2016

Thulsa Doom turned me on to this cool Cold War-era (1968), German documentary, entitied “Classix: Die Luftwaffe der Bundeswehr zeigt ihr Können während der Übung „schneller Pfeil“ which showcases their aerial delivery and Close Air Support capabilities during exercise Fast Arrow. Watching an F104 deliver CAS is priceless.