Archive for the ‘Parachuting’ Category
Capewell Aerial Systems – Modular Airborne Weapons Case
Sunday, May 17th, 20153rd SFG(A) Fields New RA-1 Parachute
Tuesday, April 14th, 2015 
A 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) parachute rigger lands under the canopy of an RA-1 parachute during new equipment training at a Laurinburg, N.C. drop zone Feb. 6, 2015. The RA-1, capable of static line or free fall configurations, is currently being fielded by Special Operations Forces as the replacement for the MC-4 parachute. (Photo by 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) Rigger Facility)
The Fort Bragg based 3rd SFG(A) is the first unit in the Special Forces regiment to field the Army’s new RA-1 Military Free Fall Parachute System which is replacing the long-serving MC-4. The group’s riggers were also the first to conduct the rigger and jumper new equipment training (NET) for the RA-1 Double Bag Static Line. The RA-1 can be used for static line or free fall operations and can support 75 more pounds than the MC-4.
Fabrique National Model AS 24
Monday, March 16th, 2015Built by Belgium’s Fabrique National, the Model AS 24 was an airdeliverable, motorized folding combat trike which came complete with its own trailer. In addition to operational use in the Congo, the country of Peru is said to have also used the AS 24.
Specs:
Passengers: 4 including Driver
Weight: 374 lb (170 kg)
Cargo: 770 lb (350 kg) of men and equipment.
Height: 2 ft 10 in (85 cm)
Engine: 15 hp (11 kW) Two-cylinder, two-stroke, 15 cubic inch (0.245 litres, 245cc) model FN 24
Speed: 60 mph (97 km/h)
Can you image driving that thung at 60mph? I can see how it could catch some air.
The US Army even evaluated the vehicle in 1963 but didn’t adopt it.
Although other commercial three wheelers were adopted by specialists units such as USAF CCT, eventually they were abandoned due to safety concerns of roll overs, particularly during turns.
If you want to see how to configure the AS 24 once it had successfully parachuted safely to the ground, check out this video.
Thanks to Jon S for the tip.
Pack Man
Saturday, February 14th, 2015I’ve heard Natick’s Rich Landry called quite a few things over the years but never “Pack Man.”
A former Pathfinder in the 82nd, Landry actually completed Jumpmaster school as a civilian on jump status at Natick. He’s dedicated his life to supporting the troops and chances are good that if you’ve served over the past 30 years, you’ve used a piece of GI load carriage equipment that Landry has either designed outright or helped develop.
The new MOLLE 4000 is the cover story for ‘NSSC This Month’. Check it out at usarmy.vo.llnwd.net.
The USAF Parachutist Insignia 1956-63
Sunday, February 8th, 2015
US Army Developing Parachutist Rucksack
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015Meet the MOLLE 4000. Developed by Natick Soldier Systems Center to satisfy a requirement for an airborne rucksack for the 82nd Airborne Division, it enters safety certification next month. Lead developer Rich Landry is a Veteran of the 82nd and has been instrumental in work on several airborne items over the years.
To create the MOLLE 4000, Landry combined the short MOLLE frame adopted by the Marine Corps but originally developed for Army paratroopers and created a new 4000 cu in bag for it. He also envisioned a new, removable single point release. This was the critical piece. Until now, you either rigged your pack with the Harness, Single Point Release, which is a separate item, prone to loss after a jump or you carried a pack with sewn-in air items. The latter option results in increased cost per pack and you are stuck lugging around the extra weigh whether you are jumping or not. Additionally, such specialty packs aren’t appropriate for issue to other forces due to that additional cost and weight. Instead, Landry has come up with a hybrid solution which quickly attaches and detaches from the pack. This saves both rigging time and weight, once he gets on the ground, for the paratrooper.
Bob Reinert of the Natick Public Affairs Office wrote a great story on the project. It’s definitely worth a read. www.army.mil/article/141297.
CCT HALO Jump
Sunday, January 4th, 2015
The T-10 Parachute Transitions Into Retirement
Wednesday, December 31st, 2014
ALARACT 275/2014 officially retires the T-10 parachute effective today, 31 Jan 2014. Thanks for all the memories.
