Precision Munitions Transform Logistics

We often watch footage of Predator Drones, GBUs, and Excalibur 155m rounds but the underlying laser and precision technologies generally only equate to better ways of killing.  How can precision technology change logistics?

The container delivery system (CDS) drops and they have been extremely important in Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm/Shield, and Afghanistan. Early in its development CDS was tweaked from the end of the Korean War to the beginning of The Vietnam War by adding the delayed opening of parachutes and the Adverse Weather Aerial Delivery System (AWADS). Essentially poor weather and visibility became good things as they concealed aircraft, jumpers, and equipment from small arms fire instead of degrading drop accuracy. Post Vietnam the CDS drop is virtually unchanged; a skid board of ¾” plywood and energy-dissipating material (aka cardboard), an A22 container to rig equipment no taller than 82”, one cargo parachute, one pilot parachute, and various expendable supplies (FM 10-500-3 Rigging Containers).



Vietnam Then

Afghanistan Now

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enter the new Precision Airdrop systems and the future of CDS drops for both the Regular Army and Special Operations. The Guided Parafoil Air Delivery System (GPADS) is already a reality and comes in extra light (XL), light (L), medium (M), and heavy (H). All this equates to one system with four parafoil setups that allow payloads between 250lbs and 42,000lbs from an altitude of up to 30,000ft. The parafoil also imparts a high glide ratio that enables the system to travel distances up to 100 kilometers much like a glider would. The guidance system or Airborne Guidance Unit allows the exact drop zone MGRS coordinates to be plugged in or they may be remotely controlled; allowing drops to be placed within 75m of a point target. FXC Corporation and Guardian Parachute produce the entire aforementioned system and are currently adding built in propulsion and other upgrades while other companies produce lesser systems already in use in Afghanistan and abroad.

Note parafoil size is dependent on load.

GPADS in action!

Look at how on demand logistics has transformed the civilian world, Precision Drop technology is poised to do the same for the military.  With GPADS a HALO team can enter a country undetected and their heavy gear or even vehicles will touch down within minutes and within 75m of their drop zone or anywhere they designate.  Line units also benefit in that they can pre-designate specific packages and have them loaded on an aircraft on station so resupply is always less than five minutes away.  Because the GPADS can travel up to 100 kilometers several units can be supported by a single aircraft that can do the CDS drop in a central location as the GPADS can navigate to the drop zone independently or with direction.  The high altitude and 100 kilometer range of GPADS allows transport aircraft to out fly all anti-air threats both horizontally and vertically leaving only air to air threats which given our fighter supremacy are none. 

 

Even high intensity conventional warfare can utilize GPADS as standard packages can be rigged and kept aloft at all times meaning resupply is a matter of minutes for any ground unit.  More importantly, the Abrams tank (and all armor) may be able to out drive (think WWII Patton) it's land based supply lines but it can't out fly them.  The infamous refuel on the move (ROM) operation can be reduced from fuelers, convoys, and security to a totally  organic operation that can be conducted alongside munitions and other resupply via GPADS.  

 

Though not all supply lines can be replaced by GPADS it is easy to see how it would save lives in places like Afghanistan where ground logistics trains suffer heavy losses from IED's and ambush.  GPADS will also allow extremely small footprints for light and special operations forces deployed to Africa and South America on train and assist missions.  It's certainly time for the CDS drop to get an update and the GPADS will change the way we use CDS drops and take rapid aerial resupply into the future.