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Archived Press Releases
Para-Flite Successfully Flies World's Largest Parachute
Para-Flite Inc, a world leader in parachute technology, has successfully completed a test drop with a new self-guided cargo delivery system consisting of the largest ram air parachute ever flown. The system, called the MegaFly, can carry over 26,000 lbs of cargo and is intended to delivery supplies to military units. After being dropped at altitudes as high as25,000 feet, the MegaFly will be able to fly itself to a designated point on the ground up to 22 kilometers away. The MegaFly will be used to increase the safety and accuracy of missions involving aerial delivery of large payloads. The MegaFly has a 9,000 square foot ram air canopy, also known as a gliding parachute. The span of the canopy from wingtip to wingtip is over 170 feet, approximately 20 feet less than the wingspan of a Boeing 747. The MegaFly features a new guidance unit developed by Wamore Inc, a long time partner with Para-Flite. The test was conducted as part of a US Army Natick Soldier Research Development& Engineering Center development program. JC Berland, President of Para-Flite and chief designer of the parachute, was elated with the results of the test drop. "Five years ago we were significantly challenged when dropping 2,000 lbs using a ram air canopy. Since then, Para-Flite has learned a great deal about the engineering, manufacturing, and rigging requirements involved with dropping heavy cargo with ram air technology. Today we demonstrated how far we have come and how well we understand these incredibly complex systems. To think of the progress we have made in the last few years is truly breathtaking." The MegaFly adds to Para-Flite's current range of precision delivery equipment which is capable of dropping from 100lbs to 10,000lbs. Para-Flite's innovative development team has also recently introduced the Intruder, a revolutionary military personnel parachute system and the Hi Glide parachute which has the world's highest glide ratio. Para-Flite is also the developer of the ATPS (Advanced Tactical Parachute System) which will replace the US Army's 52,000 troop parachutes. About Para-Flite Para-Flite is a world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of aerial delivery systems and safety and survival equipment. As a member of Airborne Systems Group (www.airbornesystemsgroup.com), Para-Flite and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at www.paraflite.com Irvin Aerospace Selected to Design Parachutes for NASA's Orion Spacecraft
Santa Ana, CA (November 3, 2006) Irvin Aerospace, the world's first parachute engineering, design and manufacturing company founded in 1919, was selected by Jacobs Sverdrup for NASA to develop parachutes for NASA's Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). Following the space shuttles retirement in 2010, NASA plans to replace the aging shuttle fleet with a number of reusable Orion spacecraft. Orion is expected to carry crew members to the International Space Station, the Moon and beyond. Working with an integrated product team (IPT) that includes NASA, Jacobs Sverdrup, and engineers from Irvin Aerospace, the design team will develop a CEV Parachute Assembly System (CPAS) which is scheduled to begin testing in approximately 6 months. "We are extremely pleased with the opportunity to work with Jacobs and NASA" said Dave Berry, President of Irvin Aerospace. "Our company is very proud to be selected and we will focus our energies on working together in support of our Nation's Space Program". Irvin is also working with NASA's Langley Research Center to explore the suitability of a Landing Airbag System for the final landing attenuation for the Orion spacecraft. Irvin was recently awarded a development contract from Rocketplane Kistler under NASA's recent Commercial Orbital Transpiration Services (COTS) program to complete the development of the RpK K-1 vehicle to provide commercial cargo deliver and eventually crew delivery services to the International Space Station. The Orion contract award will add 10-15 engineering positions at Irvin's Santa Ana, California headquarters as well as a number of high skilled manufacturing positions. In addition, the RpK COTS award is expected to provide a similar number of engineering and manufacturing jobs. About Irvin Aerospace Irvin Aerospace is a world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of best-of-class parachutes for space and air vehicle recovery systems, deceleration systems for high-performance aircraft, military, personnel, and cargo parachute systems as well as ordnance flare chutes, airbags, and weapons delivery systems. Irvin's R&D group also designs a wide variety of deceleration systems for custom applications. Irvin Aerospace has more than 85 years of parachute engineering design experience with its U.S. Corporate Headquarters located in Santa Ana, California. As a member of Airborne Systems Group (www.airbornesystemsgroup.com), Irvin Aerospace and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at www.irvinaerospace.com Para-Flite Inc successfully deploys MegaFly, the world’s largest ram air parachute
As part of a US Army development program, Para-Flite Inc has successfully completed a test drop with a new autonomously guided cargo delivery system consisting of the largest ram air parachute ever flown. The test was conducted as part of a US Army development program sponsored by the Soldier System Center in Natick Massachusetts. The system, called the MegaFly is based on Para-Flite’s previous precision cargo delivery systems, the DragonFly and FireFly. The MegaFly is designed to carry 30,000 lbs of cargo and is intended to be dropped at altitudes up to 25,000 ft. It can fly autonomously via GPS guidance for distances up to 40 kilometers to a designated point on the ground. The MegaFly will increase the safety and accuracy of missions involving aerial delivery of large payloads. The MegaFly canopy is a 9,000 square foot, fully elliptical, gliding parachute, with over 5 miles of suspension line. The span of the canopy from wingtip to wingtip is over 170 feet, approximately 20 feet less than the wingspan of a Boeing 747. The MegaFly is composed of five modular segments which can be separated after the drop to facilitate recovery on the drop zone. The MegaFly features a new guidance unit developed by Wamore Inc, a long time partner with Para-Flite. JC Berland, President of Para-Flite and chief designer of the parachute, was elated with the results of the test drop. “Five years ago we were significantly challenged when dropping 2,000 lbs using a ram air canopy. Since then, Para-Flite has learned a great deal about the engineering, manufacturing, and rigging requirements involved with dropping heavy cargo with ram air technology. Today we demonstrated how far we have come and how well we understand these incredibly complex systems. To think of the progress we have made in the last few years is truly breathtaking.” The MegaFly is the latest in a series of new products from the innovative development team at Para-Flite. This year Para-Flite also introduced the MicroFly which is an inexpensive lightweight precision cargo delivery system. The MegaFly adds to Para-Flite’s existing product line which currently has systems that can autonomously deliver payloads of 100 lbs to 10,000 lbs. In the last year, Para-Flite has also introduced the Intruder, a revolutionary no-stall high performance military personnel canopy. Para-Flite also manufactures the Hi Glide parachute which has the world’s highest glide ratio. Para-Flite is a business unit of the Airborne Systems Group, a world leader in aerial delivery systems and safety and survival equipment. More information can be found at www.paraflite.com or at www.airbornesystemsgroup.com. Para-Flite, Inc. Announces New Equipment Delivery System
Para-Flite Inc, the world’s leader in military ram air parachute systems, announced their new personnel ram air parachute system today at the 10th Annual Association of the US Army Exhibition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The new system consists of the Intruder canopy and the Raider harness container. Aaron Mebust, director of marketing and sales for Para-Flite said, “Para-Flite designed the MC-4 and the MC-5 ram air parachute systems for the US and International Special Operations community and we intend to replace those products with the Raider/Intruder.” The Raider incorporates the latest advances in design and construction techniques to create a harness container that is not only comfortable but can be configured to accommodate the needs of almost any mission. The Raider harness container can be sized to accommodate any military ram-air parachute made by Para-Flite. The Intruder canopy is truly revolutionary. Rather than redesigned sport equipment, the Intruder has been designed from inception for the military jumper. It is intended to be used by heavily loaded jumpers landing on rough terrain drop zones at night. The Intruder has revolutionary pressurized stabilizers which give the Intruder a 4:1 glide ratio and excellent performance in deep brakes. The Intruder has virtually no stall point and has docile handling even while maintaining excellent glide performance. The Intruder and Raider have been tested in accordance with TSO C23d standards and TSO certification is pending. The All Up Weight limitation for the Intruder reserve and Raider harness is 555 lb (250 kg) and the Intruder Main canopy is rated to 450 lb (204 kg) All Up Weight. The Intruder is compatible with the MicroFly Equipment Delivery System which Para-Flite also launched today. The MicroFly is an inexpensive and easy to use GPS guided system intended to accompany an infiltrating HALO or HAHO unit. Para-Flite is the developer of the ATPS XT-11, the replacement to the T-10 parachute system. Para-Flite is also under contract from the Natick Soldier System Center to develop the Advanced Low Velocity Aerial Delivery System (ALVADS) and the 30,000 lb Joint Precision Aerial Delivery System (JPADS) for the US Army. More information can be found at www.paraflite.com. Para-Flite, Inc. Announces New Equipment Delivery System
Para-Flite Inc, the world’s leader in military ram air parachute systems, introduced a revolutionary new equipment delivery system specifically designed for military free fall units. The MicroFly uses a GPS and flight algorithm to fly equipment autonomously to a designated point. It is intended to accompany a HALO or HAHO element during insertion. The MicroFly is easy to use, inexpensive, and can meet the needs of any free fall unit or mission profile. The MicroFly can be configured with any Para-Flite canopy. By using a personnel canopy, the MicroFly can match the speed and rate of descent of an inserting element. This feature makes it unique in that it can safely deliver equipment bundles while remaining in close contact with jumpers under canopy. Existing tandem bundle systems and autonomous cargo systems cannot match the performance of a jumper because they use different canopies. The only data required to place the MicroFly into operation is the location of the Impact Point (IP). Upon exit from the aircraft the MicroFly will fly to the IP without additional guidance. The MicroFly can also be remotely controlled should the element decide to deviate from the infiltration plan. The MicroFly is an excellent delivery platform for small unit resupply operations. The vertical and horizontal separation of the aircraft increase safety for the air crew and improve security for the unit on the ground. The MicroFly is priced to be affordable to any free fall unit. The MicroFly costs less than a military free fall system with automatic opening devices. Savings are also realized because there is no need for additional rigger training, specialized parachute equipment, and jumper qualifications. In addition to today’s MicroFly announcement, Para-Flite also revealed their new Raider/Intruder parachute system. Para-Flite is the developer of the ATPS XT-11, the replacement to the T-10 parachute system. Para-Flite is also under contract from the Natick Soldier System Center to develop the Advanced Low Velocity Aerial Delivery System (ALVADS) and the 30,000 lb Joint Precision Aerial Delivery System (JPADS) for the US Army. More information can be found at www.paraflite.com. Para-Flite, Inc. Demonstrates World Class Precision Aerial Delivery Capability
Para-Flite Inc, the world’s leader in military ram air parachute systems, recently demonstrated the best overall performance in Precision Aerial Delivery capabilities during the Precision Airdrop Technology Conference and Demonstration (PATCAD) ’05 in Yuma, Arizona. PATCAD ’05 is the most recent iteration of the biennial event sponsored by the Natick Soldier Center (NSC). The primary objective of the PATCAD is to provide a forum for the international community of industry and governments agencies involved in the development and utilization of Joint Precision Aerial Delivery System (JPADS) technologies. PATCAD ’05 was the largest precision airdrop demonstration in the world to date, with over 350 representatives from 17 nations observing demonstrations of 23 personnel and cargo systems from 16 companies. Over 114 drops were made during the PATCAD from five different types of aircraft. Para-Flite’s contribution to the PATCAD was a series of demonstrations of the 10,000 lb DragonFly and 2,000 lb FireFly JPADS systems. Over three days, a total of eight drops were made at 10,000 ft MSL and the average distance to target for all eight drops was less than 175 meters. This average was the lowest of any manufacturer in attendance. All eight drops were completely autonomous with no external inputs to the systems after release from the aircraft. The only input to the systems prior to drop was wind data. Richard Benny, 10K JPADS ACTD Technical Manager said, "The 2K Firefly and 10K Dragonfly consistently demonstrated effective stand-off, accuracy and soft landing during the PATCAD event and have great potential to meet the US Army's requirements to provide a JPADs capability to the warfighter." Gary McHugh, Manager of Para-Flite’s Research and Development, was pleased with the results. “Our recent performance at PATCAD and our selection to develop the US Army’s 30K platform demonstrate In addition to the success of the DragonFly and FireFly, Para-Flite’s development team has also won the selection to replace the US Army’s T-10 parachute system and is under contract to develop the Advanced Low Velocity Aerial Delivery System (ALVADS). More information can be found at www.paraflite.com. Para-Flite, Inc. Selected to Develop 30,000 lb Joint Precision Airdrop System Para-Flite Inc, the world's leader in military ram air parachute systems, has been selected to develop the US Army's 30,000 lb (13.600 kg) Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS). The JPADS program is the highest priority aerial cargo delivery program for the Natick Soldier Center (NSC) in Natick, Massachusetts. JC Berland, President of Para-Flite, stated that this decision is a defining moment in the US JPADS program as well as validation of Para-Flite's world class development team. "We are tremendously excited to be selected for this project. Our team has successfully developed systems from under 2,000 lbs (900 kg) to 10,000 lbs (4.500 kg). Each step along our path has uncovered new problems which have required innovative solutions. Simply scaling up existing technology will not be possible. The 30k program will require a completely new approach to ram air canopy deployment and control. We look forward to the challenge." Joint Precision Airdrop Systems allow autonomous delivery of cargo from high altitudes and significant standoff. Para-Flite's current systems are capable of deployments to 25,000 ft in altitude and horizontal separations of over 30 km. This separation increases safety for aircrews and enhances the security of forces on the ground. To create the 30K JPADS platform, Para-Flite will leverage previous success in 2K and 10K JPADS programs sponsored by NSC. Para-Flite's development team is also under contract from the Soldier System Center to develop the Advanced Low Velocity Aerial Delivery System (ALVADS). Para-Flite has also designed the system which will replace the T-10 round personnel parachute. More information can be found at www.paraflite.com. Para-Flite's 10,000 lb DragonFly demonstrated true autonomous flight during PATCAD '05 in Yuma, Arizona. PREVIOUS | NEWS & EVENTS | NEXT About Us | News & Events | Capabilities | Products | Engineering Services |
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Fort Bragg, North Carolina --- 04 April, 2006
Fort Bragg, North Carolina --- 04 April, 2006
Pennsauken, NJ --- February 1st, 2006
Pennsauken, NJ --- January 03, 2006