ID :
37741
Sun, 12/28/2008 - 16:56
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/37741
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India`s DRDO develops stealth parachutes
Swapna Tarafdar
New Delhi, Dec 28 (PTI) India's Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a new
"stealth-parachute", capable of para-dropping soldiers at
three times the normal height at which they are presently
dropped, to be used by defence forces in the operational
situations.
The parachute will help the troopers to jump from a
height of 30,000 feet as compared to the current jump height
of 10,000 feet and will avoid detection from the enemy as the
sound of aircraft, at this height would be inaudible, say
experts.
"The benefit of such a capability will mean that we can
start dropping our soldiers at a long distance (say up to 30
kilometres) from the objective, in a safer airspace. Besides,
at this height the sound of the plane would go unnoticed by
enemy forces on the ground," Chief Controller of Defence
Research and Development Organisation W Selvamurty told PTI.
The new system comes equipped with lightweight oxygen
cylinders to avoid suffocation, as at these heights, oxygen
becomes scarce. The system provides oxygen on demand during
breathing for nearly 45 minutes after bailout, Selvamurty
said.
"A paratrooper till now, could only be dropped from a
maximum height of 10,000 feet and one of the risks involved
here is that while being airdropped from such lower heights,
the para-jumper can get exposed to enemy," he said.
The new parachutes also sport directional gadgets which
will keep the para-jumper abreast of his landing directions.
"The para-jumpers will be airborne for nearly 45 minutes.
With the help of directional gadgets, he can manoeuvre the
parachute to reach the target," Selvamurty added.
"These new parachutes would come handy for operations
close to the border and for cipher activities. We had some
parachutes from abroad similar to this but they were not
suitable for our requirements. We developed these parachutes
keeping in mind our specific needs," he said.
Orders for nearly 700 units of these parachutes have
already been placed by defence forces, he said. PTI
New Delhi, Dec 28 (PTI) India's Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a new
"stealth-parachute", capable of para-dropping soldiers at
three times the normal height at which they are presently
dropped, to be used by defence forces in the operational
situations.
The parachute will help the troopers to jump from a
height of 30,000 feet as compared to the current jump height
of 10,000 feet and will avoid detection from the enemy as the
sound of aircraft, at this height would be inaudible, say
experts.
"The benefit of such a capability will mean that we can
start dropping our soldiers at a long distance (say up to 30
kilometres) from the objective, in a safer airspace. Besides,
at this height the sound of the plane would go unnoticed by
enemy forces on the ground," Chief Controller of Defence
Research and Development Organisation W Selvamurty told PTI.
The new system comes equipped with lightweight oxygen
cylinders to avoid suffocation, as at these heights, oxygen
becomes scarce. The system provides oxygen on demand during
breathing for nearly 45 minutes after bailout, Selvamurty
said.
"A paratrooper till now, could only be dropped from a
maximum height of 10,000 feet and one of the risks involved
here is that while being airdropped from such lower heights,
the para-jumper can get exposed to enemy," he said.
The new parachutes also sport directional gadgets which
will keep the para-jumper abreast of his landing directions.
"The para-jumpers will be airborne for nearly 45 minutes.
With the help of directional gadgets, he can manoeuvre the
parachute to reach the target," Selvamurty added.
"These new parachutes would come handy for operations
close to the border and for cipher activities. We had some
parachutes from abroad similar to this but they were not
suitable for our requirements. We developed these parachutes
keeping in mind our specific needs," he said.
Orders for nearly 700 units of these parachutes have
already been placed by defence forces, he said. PTI
