Adaptation of a 15-ft-dia ribbon parachute and a 73-ft cross main recovery parachute for cargo delivery from high altitude

An existing parachute system has been adapted for delivery of a resupply container at high altitudes from aircraft. The parachute system consists of a 15-ft diameter ribbon parachute reefed for 10 seconds and a 73-ft diameter cross parachute reefed for 10 seconds. A solid state recorder in the 2341 1b drop test vehicle was used to obtain deceleration history with time. Two drop tests using the Navy A7 aircraft were conducted at Stallion Site, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Drop release conditions were 250 KCAS at 20,000 ft above sea level from the first test and 230 KCAS at 22,000 ft msl for the second. A new load transfer bridle was designed and tested to release the first stage parachute and replace a costly mechanical load plate.