Parachute Systems Testing – A Team Effort

Squadron Leader Mark Godsland, Officer Commanding Airborne Trials Sqn, MOD Boscombe Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, UK
Mr Rob Humphries, Airborne Forces Equipment Project Team, MOD Boscombe Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, UK

Abstract

The parachute is an integral part of aviation, with early designs being produced by Leonardo da Vinci and successful demonstrations carried out as early as the 17th century. Modern parachutes are now so sophisticated that they are effectively air vehicles in their own right. Mechanisms developed to improve manoeuvrability and glide ratios are put to military uses in environments far more demanding than the recreational and sport arenas for which they were developed. This paper describes the development and testing of a High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) parachute system for UK military use. It covers the basic dynamics and limiting factors governing use of parachutes at high level and the systems required to support personnel parachuting operations from altitudes in excess of 25 000 ft. The paper summarizes the test philosophy and some of the problems encountered during testing, emphasising the teamwork required from engineers, parachute test specialists and flight test aircrew in order to achieve a safe and practical solution.