Fairchilld C-123 Provider. The 'El Avion' is on my bucket list.| Submit your comments on this article |
| Science & Technology |
| US Special Forces Test Autonomous Glider For Critical Resupply Missions |
| 2023-04-03 |
| [ZERO] At the beginning of this year, we checked out exhibits of defense firms showing off their cutting-edge weapons at the 45th SHOT Show at the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas (read: here & here). Over the years, what has captured our attention are the advanced weapons that could potentially be employed by Tier 1 special ops personnel in the next major conflict. The latest weapon of war that special ops might be adding to their arsenal is a new unmanned aerial delivery system for quick resupply of friendly forces on the frontlines. In February, the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) successfully tested Defense Department contractor Silent Arrow's GD-2000 glider, a disposable autonomous aircraft that can haul upwards of 1,500 pounds of gear and equipment at a range of up to 40 miles, at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. Traditional supply delivery systems can be bulky and involve a parachute with a very limited distance. The ability of the autonomous glider to maneuver through the air will allow Tier 1 operators to receive critical supplies in heavily contested warzones. "What this glider does is give us a much greater [travel distance] and a much greater glide ratio into a target. "If we are able to get [the glider] up to 40,000 feet we're looking at [travel distances] in excess of 25 to 30 miles. That's a pretty unique capability and not matched by anything we currently have," said a Special Forces detachment commander whose team tested the glider. During the successful field training exercise at Yuma Proving Grounds, the GD-2000 with 1,000 pounds of supplies was airdropped from an Alenia C-27J Spartan military transport plane, and it glided to within 30 meters of its intended target. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #4 Cool |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2023-04-03 10:58 |
| #3 Take the proposed platform to Shark Tank and let them cheapen it up. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2023-04-03 07:51 |
| #2 Fairchilld C-123 Provider. The 'El Avion' is on my bucket list. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2023-04-03 07:45 |
| #1 Found a use for the C-27. |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2023-04-03 07:37 |