Rostec Tests ‘Smart’ Transport Parachute

Technodinamika holding, a subsidiary of state-owned Rostec said announced the completion of factory tests of new "smart" transport parachute system.

The transport system is equipped with an integrated automated control complex that allows you to drop loads weighing up to 250 kg in a fully automatic mode and land them with increased accuracy.  It consists of a landing platform, a parachute with a controlled wing-type canopy, and equipment for automatic flight and guidance. Depending on the operational and tactical situation, the cargo is dropped in the guidance mode according to the GLONASS or GPS coordinates using a digital communication channel with ground control equipment or in the "slave" mode. In this case, the load follows the "lead" parachutist, Rostec said in a statement.

“The main advantage of the system is accuracy. Tests have confirmed that when dropped from a height of 4,000m, the landing error does not exceed 100m. This allows you to reduce the time for deployment of goods and plan their delivery at a qualitatively new level. The capabilities of the parachute allow landing various weapons, equipment and ammunition. The development is capable of significantly increasing the capabilities of the airborne troops, as well as the special operations forces,” said the Rostec aviation cluster.

The system was created on its own initiative by the Ivanovo Parachute Plant Polet of the Tekhnodinamika holding.

“The development of the holding has shown its reliability within the framework of factory tests, which lasted six months. During this time, the system was parachuted in the Moscow, Ryazan regions, as well as in the Crimea. We are now moving on to the flight test phase, which we plan to complete in the first quarter of 2022. In addition, our designers have already modernized their own design, increasing its carrying capacity up to 500 kg. This system is currently undergoing research tests,” said Igor Nasenkov, General Director of the Tekhnodinamika holding.