US Army Replaces 1950s-Vintage Chute

 

 

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/This-is-Not-Your-Fathers-Parachute-US-Army-Replaces-1950s-Vintage-Chute-05853/

 

The US Army is paying up to $200 million to buy between 45,000 and 50,000 T-11 parachutes from 3 firms: Aerostar International in Sioux Falls, SD (W911QY-09-D-0036), Airborne Systems North America [PDF] in Santa Ana, CA (W911QY-10-D-0003), and BAE Systems in Phoenix, AZ (W911QY-10-D-0001).

 

The new parachute features several improvements over the T-10: an upgraded harness that fits the smallest and largest soldiers and allows integration with modern equipment; a 28% larger more, stable canopy that enables a 49% slower rate of descent [...]