The Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center has been leading an effort to develop precision guided airdrop systems with a CEP under 25-meters. A three-motor airborne guidance unit (AGU) was used on a 100 ft 2 AccuGlide system (AG100) to activate a new longitudinal control mechanism using upper surface bleed air. System Identification methods were applied to populate a drop test database, and dynamic model parameters were determined. It is shown that upper surface canopy spoilers are an effective means of glide slope control for airdrop systems, and spoiler turn rate capability compares favorably with standard differential tail deflection.

Accurate estimations of the height and velocity of precision airdrop systems are required to control final deceleration maneuvers. Airdrop systems have a limited deceleration window, so robust and reliable estimations are required. Radar, sodar, and lidar sensors have all been evaluated for this role with varying degrees of success. Foliage and vegetation prove troubling for many of the sensors. However, sodar has been shown to successfully penetrate ground vegetation at certain frequencies. The development and testing of a Sodar Height Sensor (SHS) for precision airdrop applications is reported in this paper. The SHS incorporates a speaker, a microphone, a barometer, and temperature sensors. Estimation algorithms running on a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) produce continuous estimates of the sensor height above ground. The sensor's performance has been characterized in a series of laboratory, field, and airdrop tests. Ground detection ranges in excess of 1,000 ft have been demonstrated in certain mounting configurations while a height estimation accuracy of ± 2 ft has been measured closer to the ground.

The Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center has been leading an effort to develop precision guided airdrop systems with a CEP under 25-meters. This paper describes the initial work completed using new guidance and control software based on systems and methods similar to those employed by precision accuracy parachutists who routinely land on a 2 cm target. A key component of the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) methodology is the ability to accurately command toggle inputs to control system glide slope. The AccuGlide 100 system consists of an Airborne Guidance Unit (AGU) built by STARA Technologies, a 100 ft 2 ram-air canopy made by Strong Enterprises, and flight software developed by Draper Laboratory.

The US Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) has been working in conjunction with the US Joint Forces Command (JFCOM), the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) Office, and the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) to develop an effective way to deliver medical supplies and equipment to soldiers in need in remote locations throughout the world. The Joint Medical Distance Support and Evacuation (JMDSE) Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) was funded to address the military need for a combat casualty care capability. This capability will provide a precise, logistical delivery method that significantly enhances land, air, and sea emergency medical response procedures. The JMDSE JCTD encompasses a family of systems that can deliver 10-700lbs of usable cargo. The systems are broken down into the Micro Light Weight (MLW) class which includes systems that can deliver 10-170lbs, the Ultra Light Weight (ULW) class which includes systems that can deliver 250-700lbs, and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) variant which includes any system that can be dropped from a UAV. Airdrop testing of the MLW, ULW, and UAV variant systems was conducted from 3,000 to 24,500 ft Mean Sea Level (MSL) on many military and commercial aircraft.

* Principal member of the Technical Staff, Decision Systems Group, MS 15, Member AIAA. † Principal member of the Technical Staff, Aerospace Guidance and Control Group, MS 70, Member AIAA. ‡ Member of the Technical Staff II, Tactics, Guidance, and Control Group, MS 77. § Senior member of the Technical Staff, Cognitive Robotics Group, MS 77. ** Principal member of the Technical Staff, Manned Space Systems Group, MS 70, Member AIAA. †† Senior member of the Technical Staff, Vehicle and Robotics Group, MS 23, Member AIAA. ‡‡ Principal member of the Technical Staff, Navigation and Localization Group, MS 77. §§ Principal member of the Technical Staff, Tactical Systems Program Office, MS 79. *** Aerospace Engineer, NSRDEC, 15 Kansas Street, Senior Member AIAA. ††† Team Leader, NSRDEC, 15 Kansas Street, Member AIAA. 20th AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Technology Conference and Seminar 4 7 May 2009, Seattle, Washington AIAA 2009-2981

: The US Army Research Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) have teamed with all Department of Defense (DoD) services and organizations with interest in programs and investments in Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) technology and systems. These organizations include: Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) to include: Joint Staff (JS); Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ALT); Director of Defense Research and Engineering (DDR&E), Advanced Systems and Concepts (AS&C), Joint Forces Command (JFCOM), US Air Force Air Mobility Command (USAF AMC), USAF Air Mobility Warfare Center (AMWC), the US Army Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems (PM-FSS), US Marine Corps (USMC), US Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and many other government agencies and contractors to plan and execute JPADS programs. This paper will provide an overview of some of the DoD JPADS programs to include: Results of the JPADS Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD), recent Joint Military Utility Assessment (JMUA) # 2, The US Army Formal Program of Record (PoR) for the JPADS Extra Light (700-2200lb capability), Rapid Combat Fielding (RCFs) Initiatives for JPADS 2,200lb systems and early results and lessons learned from Combat Operations, the recently started Wireless Gate Release System (WGRS), and related precision airdrop activities within NATO.

: Over the last several years, research funding has been applied to developing autonomously guided parachute systems as one part of the technology to meet the challenges posed by two critical threats: 1) the proliferation of Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) that threaten aircraft conducting low-altitude supply missions; and 2) the parallel proliferation of threats to ground supply lines. This paper will survey the most prominent precision delivery guided airdrop systems in development and/or limited operational use today. User performance requirements and capability goals will be discussed. Flight test and operational experience will be briefly reviewed, as well as future deployment plans. The paper will conclude with a characterization of how well existing systems meet the user needs, and what GN&C-related technical capabilities still need advancement.

The Four-Powers Air Senior National Representative (ASNRs) Long Term Technology Projects (LTTPs) related to airdrop research include both the Airflow on Aircraft (AIA) technical Group (TG) and the 2nd Precision Airdrop Improvements (PAIc) TG. The TG’s are made up of Subject matter experts from France (FR), Germany (GE), The United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US). This paper will provide an overview of each TG’s objectives, work plans, results to date, and future activities. In addition, under the PAIc activities, the paper will describe the status of a planned North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Precision Airdrop Capabilities Demonstration (PACD).

This paper covers the first developments of the SCREAMER from its beginning when we dropped 250 lbs under a 14 square foot ram-air canopy, this (manned!) flight, with a wing loading of 16 lbs per sq. ft. of canopy proved the concept. A contract was then obtained in early 2001 from Natick Soldier Center (NSC) to develop and demonstrate the concept with 500 lbs. A demonstration drop with 750 lbs was accomplished in December 2001 at Yuma Proving Grounds, AZ. A follow-on contract received from NSC to further develop the SCREAMER system to a payload weight of 2,000 lbs. included utilizing radio control for the small ram-air canopy. This paper describes the four years of subsequent development of the SCREAMER system being commanded by a “control box” utilizing GPS for navigation and round recovery parachutes for the final descent to a target area. Throughout this development, design refinements and unique solutions needed to be found to solve the problems of dropping from larger aircraft with air speed in access of 130 knots and altitudes up to 25,000 feet MLS.

The US Army Natick Soldier Center (NSC) is teamed with the Joint Forces Command (JFCOM), US Air Force Air Mobility Command (USAF AMC), the US Army Project Manager Force Sustainment and Support (PM-FSS), and under the oversight of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Advance Systems and Concepts (AS&C) office, along with numerous other government agencies and contractors to plan and execute the Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD). The JPADS ACTD is integrating a USAF developed laptop-computer-based precision airdrop planning system known as the Joint Precision Airdrop System Mission Planner (JPADS-MP) with the USA Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) in the “light” category of weight (2201-10000lbs rigged weights). The integrated system objectives include the ability to airdrop JPADS systems of up to 10,000 lbs rigged weight, from altitudes of up to 25,000 ft mean sea level (MSL), with up to 30kms of offset (in a zero wind condition), and land precisely within 100 meters circular error probable (CEP) of a preplanned ground impact point. An additional key metric is to have the final system work with the Enhanced Container Delivery System (ECDS) under a gravity drop (ECDS is not extracted), the type V platform, or a 463L pallet (when the payload can be item suspended) and for the entire decelerator/platform system to cost under $60K (in FY04 $s and in quantities of 100). This paper will provide an overview of the JPADS program goals, status of the effort with some flight test results to date. The paper will also introduce the reader to the JPADS Concept of Operation (CONOPS), highlight the research, technology and integration challenges associated with precision airdrop systems, and how the JPADS team is overcoming these challenges.

: The US Army Natick Soldier Center (NSC) is teamed with the Joint Forces Command (JFCOM), US Air Force Air Mobility Command (USAF AMC), the US Army Project Manager Force Sustainment Systems (PM-FSS), and under the oversight of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Advanced Systems and Concepts (AS&C) office, along with numerous other government agencies and contractors to plan and execute the Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD). The purpose of the JPADS ACTD is to meet the Combatant Commanders (COCOM) requirement of sustaining combat power using high altitude, precision airdrop as a direct and theater delivery method, into a dynamic, dispersed, and unsecured battle space. This must be done with speed and flexibility to provide a capability previously unavailable to the COCOM, and to enable decisive operational superiority. This paper will provide an overview of the JPADS program goals and the status of the effort with flight test results to date. It will also highlight the research, technology and integration challenges associated with precision airdrop systems, and how the JPADS team is overcoming these challenges. This paper will also provide an overview of precision airdrop activities within a recently-established NATO Joint Precision Airdrop Capabilities Working Group (JPACWG).