MaalStar 0 #1 May 28, 2006 " MILITARY scientists have designed a Batman-style set of wings to enable paratroopers to glide up to 120 miles into enemy territory. The device enables the caped soldiers to be dropped outside hostile airspace from altitudes of up to 30,000ft and infiltrate enemy lines without being detected by radar. The wings, unveiled last week, are being tested by their manufacturer and are intended to be ready for use next year by German special forces parachutists. “Parachutists can penetrate into areas that are difficult to reach without their transport planes having to fly into a danger zone,” said a spokesman for ESG, manufacturer of the new mono-wing. “At the same time, tracing this almost 100% silent system using air or ground-based radar systems is extremely difficult.” In practice, a reserve parachute is carried for safety. The guidance, oxygen and stablisation systems for the wing are being finished and studies have begun on a powered version which will use small turbo-jets. “The system is reportedly 100% silent and extremely difficult to track by air or ground-based radar systems,” said Peter Felstead, editor of Jane’s Defence Weekly. “The new wing will also reduce the impact of wind conditions on the jumper and allow operatives to travel up to 40 kilometres carrying equipment loads of around 100 kilograms.” According to ESG, the wing is a development of a ram-air parachute system in use with the German armed forces since 2003. Ram-air parachutes, also used by the SAS and US special forces, have two layers of fabric which fill with air and become highly controllable airfoil shapes. While ESG says German special forces as well as the country’s GSG9 counter- terrorist unit have expressed interest, British special forces experts remain sceptical. “High altitude, high opening (Haho) jumps may keep the plane out of harm’s way but they are very difficult for the jumper,” said one recently retired senior SAS officer. “His parachute opens almost immediately and he has to control it for a very long time. He is buffeted by winds, he’s very cold, he’s breathing oxygen and he has to navigate and communicate with the rest of his team. “I can’t think of an operational Haho we’ve done, and I don’t even think we’ve done an operational Halo (high altitude, low opening) since Oman in 1970.” On that occasion an SAS trooper, Lance-Corporal Paul Reddy, died when his parachute failed to open properly after free-falling from 11,000ft. The most recent high altitude jump on operations was carried out by Nato special forces in Bosnia in 2001 — reportedly in an attempt to capture a high-ranking alleged Serbian war criminal. The Ministry of Defence declined to comment on special forces equipment but said: “We continually look to improve the capability of our armed forces and in doing so we keep a close eye on technological developments all over the world.” From The Times Hello and good evening, Good bye and good night. Thoughts and comments. SPICE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sgt_ludy 0 #2 May 28, 2006 hm... some kind of Baumgartner-Delta-Wing, or what? i call bullshit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Armour 0 #3 May 29, 2006 Quotehm... some kind of Baumgartner-Delta-Wing, or what? i call bullshit. people said the same about stealth fighters till ther were seen in public-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cloggy 1 #4 May 29, 2006 And you'd be carrying all this as well... http://www.spelco.de/shaps.htm And the press release is over here: http://www.esg.de/en/press/pressreleases/?tid=877 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DancesWClouds 0 #5 May 29, 2006 Pictures! I want pictures! ° Dances Muff Brother #2169 "You can take the girl out of the sky, but not the sky out of the girl!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alw 0 #6 June 1, 2006 http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/05/30/206910/James+Bond-style+strap-on+jet+pack+flying+wing+to+extend+special+forces'.html --------------------------------------------- Every day is a bonus - every night is an adventure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #7 June 1, 2006 Cargo Compartment? Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DancesWClouds 0 #8 June 2, 2006 Cool pics. I'd probably pack my sammies and beer with dry ice though in the cargo compartment. Makes it lighter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Winznut 0 #9 June 2, 2006 ...and I refused joining the Bundeswehr... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micro 0 #10 June 2, 2006 QuoteCool pics. I'd probably pack my sammies and beer with dry ice though in the cargo compartment. Makes it lighter. where's the drink holder ??? I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Merkur 1 #11 June 2, 2006 QuoteAnd you'd be carrying all this as well... http://www.spelco.de/shaps.htm Not completely. I have seen a TV report about it during the International Airshow in Berlin. There is a cargo department (on the above posted picture) which is located below the area where you can see the canopy. It is not big enough to carry the stuff on the HALO/HAHO system picture. In the German paratroops this is the setup for a jumper carrying a so called "heavy load", weighing up to 100 kg. M.vSCR No.94 Don't dream your life - live your dream! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgskydive 0 #12 June 2, 2006 Quotesome kind of Baumgartner-Delta-Wing, or what Looks to be exactley that.Dom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DancesWClouds 0 #13 June 3, 2006 Quote There is a cargo department (on the above posted picture) which is located below the area where you can see the canopy. I used to work for the cargo department at UPS. . . QuoteIt is not big enough to carry the stuff on the HALO/HAHO system picture. In the German paratroops this is the setup for a jumper carrying a so called "heavy load", weighing up to 100 kg. 100 kg??? COOL!!! So now I can have sammies, beer, AND my boyfriend on board! (On second thought, what does a keg weigh?) ° Dances Muff Brother #2169 "You can take the girl out of the sky, but not the sky out of the girl!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites