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New Parachute to Replace T-10
By Slab
I guess I'm the resident jumper on OPFOR. I certainly don't hold a candle to the guys at Blackfive, but somebody's got to do it over here.
PEO Soldier is apparently testing the T-11 Advanced Tactical Parachute System as the replacement for the T-10D Troop Back Parachute. From January to October, XVIII Airborne Corps will make 3200 test jumps with the new parachute. The new system also includes the T-11R, a new reserve chute that will improve upon the Modified Improved Reserve Parachute System (MIRPS) currently in use. The current "dope on a rope" parachute system has been in use, albeit with some modifications, since the 1950s.
The T-11 Advanced Tactical Parachute System
Key benefits of the new parachute will be a slower rate of descent, averaging about 18 feet per second, reduction of oscillation following deployment and lowering of the combat load, and a smoother deployment sequence. Expect to see fielding begin in 2008, and all T-10Ds are projected to be replaced by 2014.
PEO Soldier Tests New Parachute System
I didn't feel like any of my landings at Airborne School were that hard, but we jumped with significantly less weight than what would be carried on a combat operation in today's world. Our combat equipment jumps were performed with an ALICE pack that weighed probably 35-40 pounds, and M1950 weapons case containing a 2X4. The T-10D was designed for loads of up to 300 lbs, even though the instructors told us it is capable of safely handling loads of up to 500 lbs.
On our 2005 deployment with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Air Combat Element (ACE) asked us to revise our planning weight for Marines being transported by helicopter. We weighed a platoon of Marines with all of the equipment they would be taking ashore with them, including their sustainment load. The average weight came out around 325 lbs. Now you see why we need a parachute designed for a load of 400 lbs.
The T-10D Troop Back Parachute
By the way, if any of our readers are part of the test program, and want a Marine guinea pig, drop me a line.
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Comments
what was that dialog from "We Were Soldiers?"
"I have just the guy for you. He's finishing up a tour testing experimental parachutes."
"Experimental parachutes? Sounds like our man."
ha.
I'm still waiting on your post on Army jump school.
I asked Jessie James just before he died
to name 5 things that he wanted to ride...
(snip)
A dash one bravo 'cross the countryside.
About time!
In 1986 i suffered 3 compression fractures of my t 8,9 and 10 vetevbreas using the t10-1b parachute,(crashed and burned with the wind) I can't find a picture of it anywhere on line. Has the army gotten rid of this chute?
Just finished jump school. We used the T-10d. I oscillated on jump two--don't want to ever go through that again. The black hats told us that the T-11 will be integrated into the basic course in January, 2010. They are right now spooling up a bunch of new classes for it and will be redesigning some of the training apparatus.
I am currently going through jump school right now and this wind we are having this week is hurting us bad. We wasnt able to jump yesterday and only got 1 jump off today. The wind was easily over 10 knots. We were all drifting a couple hundred yards easily. We too are using the T-10d's and our black hats said the same things about upgrading to the T-11's soon. I dont mind the 10d's but they seem inconsistant. I dont understand them that well yet. Im having fun though.
S/F,
Gunny
It was a very nice idea! Just wanna say thank you for the information you have shared. Just continue writing this kind of post. I will be your loyal reader. Thanks again.
Great post! Hope to be better. Better means more features.
good post,I think so!
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"but somebody's got to do it over here..." Might not be too far behind you!