LINDA HALL LIBRARY

science Engineering Technology

m Cherry Street
p s City MO 64110 USA

J 5

Tt

241

TECHNICAL MEMDRANBEM
SEM-m-64-7

)V0
100 F t . DIA PARACHUTE (G-11A) WITH INTERNAL CANOPY
PHASE I STUDY

HERMAN ENGEL JR.

CKEV. EQUIPMENT DIVISION
DIRECTORATE OF CHE'. SUBSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
MAY 1964

RESEARCH AM) TECHNOLOGY DIVISION

NOTICES

13

\o

Ivhen Government d r a w i n g s , s p e c i f i c a t i o n s , or o t h e r d a t a a r e used f o r

any p u r p o s e o t h e r t h a n i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h a d e f i n i t e l y r e l a t e d Government
p r o c u r e m e n t o p e r a t i o n , t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s Government t h e r e b y i n c u r s no
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y nor any o b l i g a t i o n w h a t s o e v e r ; and t h e f a c t t h a t the G o v e r n ment may have f o r m u l a t e d f u r n i s h e d , o r i n any way s u p p l i e d the s a i d d r a w i n g s , s p e c i f i c a t i o n s , or o t h e r d a t a , i s not t o be r e g a r d e d by i m p l i c a t i o n
o r o t h e r w i s e as i n any manner l i c e n s i n g the h o l d e r o r any o t h e r p e r s o n o r
c o r p o r a t i o n , o r c o n v e y i n g any r i g h t s o r p e r m i s s i o n t o m a n u f a c t u r e , u s e ,
o r s e l l any p a t e n t e d i n v e n t i o n t h a t may i n any way be r e l a t e d t h e r e t o .

U N O A HAIL LIBRARY
KANSAS CITY, MQ

ABSTRACT
FTLGM-TM-63-lOiw t i t l e d " I n t e r n a j . P a r a c h u t e S t u d y " p r e s e n t s the d a t a
o b t a i n e d i n the t e s t i n g of t e d i o u s s i z e s of i n t e r n a l c a n o p i e s a t s e v e r a l
l o c a t i o n s w i t h i n and above the s k i r t of t h e G-11A p a r a c h u t e .
Several
r e e f i n g l i n e l e n g t h s were a l s o c o n s i d e r e d f o r t h i s program. 'This r e p o r t
e x t r a c t s d a t a from FTLGM-TM-63-IO4A, i n c l u d e s e x t r a c t i o n s from Yuma T e s t
S t a t i o n Report o f DAT P r o j e c t No. ATA 62057, "Opening C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of
G-11A Cargo P a r a c h u t e " and s e r v e s t o i n c o r p o r a t e c o n c l u s i o n s and recommendations on t h e f e a s i b i l i t y o f r e d u c i n g the o p e n i n g time o f l a r g e
diameter cargo parachutes.
<:
PUBLICATION REVIEV.
T h i s r e p o r t has been r e v i e w e d and i s
F " N THE COMMANDER

Vs. P . SHEPARDSON
C h i e f , Crew Equipment D i v i s i o n
D i r e c t o r a t e o f Crew Subsystems
Engineering

T e c h n i c a l Memorandum

ii

approved.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PURPOSE

Page 1

II

OBJECTIVES

Page 1

III

INTRODUCTION

Page 1

IV

DISCUSSION

Page 1

CONCLUSIONS

Page 2

VI

RECOMMENDATIONS

Page 3

REFERENCES

Page 6

APPENDICES
APPENDIX I

- E x t r a c t s from T e c h n i c a l Memorandum No.

FTLGM-Wi-63-lOiiA, t i t l e d " I n t e r n a l P a r a chute S t u d y " , d t a 3 September 1963

Page 7

APPENDIX I I - E x t r a c t s from Yuma T e s t S t a t i o n Report of

DAT P r o j . No. ATA 62057, t i t l e d "Opening
C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of G-11A C a r g o " , 2 A p r i l 63

Page 12

APPENDIX I I I -

Proposed Phase I I C l u s t e r T e s t Progress

LIST OF FIGURES

Page 1 7
' J

FIGURE I -

Opening Force vs Opening Time

Page 4

FIGURE I I -

A l t i t u d e Loss v s Opening Time

Page 5

T e c h n i c a l Memorandum

SEM-TM-6it-7

iii

I.

PURPOSE

The purpose of t h i s r e p o r t i s t o supplement the 6 5 1 1 t h Test Group

( P a r a c h u t e s ) T e c h n i c a l Memorandum FTLGM-TM-6_;-101iA, t i t l e d " I n t e r n a l
Parachute Study" and Yuma Test S t a t i o n Report of DAT P r o j e c t No. ATA.
62057. "Opening C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e C11A Cargo Parachute" with
c o n c l u s i o n s concerning the o p e r a t i o n of s i n g l e G-11A parachutes and
make recommendations concerning the t e s t i n g of G-11A p a r a c h u t e s , w i t h
i n t e r n a l canopies, in c l u s t e r c o n f i g u r a t i o n s .
I I . OBJECTIVES - The o b j e c t i v e s of the Phase I , S i n g l e G-11A p a r a c h u t e ,
t e s t program were t o determine:
a . The f e a s i b i l i t y of d e l i v e r i n g cargo loads a t reduced a l t i t u d e s ,
as low a s 5 f e e t above the ground, with minimum changes t o the parachute
system.
b . The s i z e , t y p e , and l o c a t i o n of the i n t e r n a l canopy and a
method of r i g g i n g the canopy, and
c.
III.

An optimum r e e f i n g l i n e

length.

INTRODUCTION

An a p p l i e d r e s e a r c h program conducted by the U n i v e r s i t y of Minnesota

under A i r Force Contract No. AF33(616)-6372 showed t h a t ' a small canopy
p o s i t i o n e d i n the mouth of a much l a r g e r canopy f o r c e d a more r a p i d
f i l l i n g of the l a r g e canopy with l i t t l e or no i n c r e a s e in maximum canooy
opening f o r c e s . The Parachute Branch of the Systems E n g i n e e r i n g Group"
proposed a program t o the U. s . Army Natick L a b o r a t o r i e s t o e v a l u a t e t h i s
technique w i t h standard G-11A parachutes t o determine i f i t would provide
a s i g n i f i c a n t reduct ion i n a l t i t u d e required f o r heavy equipment a i r d r o o s .
The Phase I program was e s t a b l i s h e d t o e v a l u a t e s o l i d f l a t and r i b l e s s
guide s u r f a c e canopies of 1 0 , 13 and 16 f o o t diameters a t 1 . 7 5 , 3 - 5 and
I) . 5 f e e t i n s i d e and above the G - l l A canopy s k i r t , Methods of r i g g i n g
the i n t e r n a l canopy ( s i n g l e c o n f l u e n c e p o i n t and m u l t i p l e l i n e connection)
and v a r i o u s r e e f i n g l i n e l e n g t h s (none, 20, 40, and 60 f o o t ) were a l s o
planned. However, due t o funding l i m i t a t i o n s the program was s u b j e c t e d t o
continuous r e d u c t i o n s i n the number of t e s t s which could be conducted and
t h e r e f o r e the number of c o n f i g u r a t i o n s which could be e v a l u a t e d . As a
r e s u l t of FTLGM-TM-63-IO4A a conference among 6511th TG(?). U.S. Army and
Parachute Branch personnel was held a t E l C e n t r o . I t was agreed that a
c o n s o l i d a t e d r e p o r t i n c l u d i n g 6511th and Yuma t e s t d a t a , data r e d u c t i o n s ,
and adding c o n c l u s i o n and recommendations should be prepared by the
Parachute Branch.
IV.

DISCUSSION

The d e s c r i p t i o n of the t e s t i t e m s , t e s t equipment and t e s t procedures

and the t a b u l a t e d t e s t r e s u l t s have been e x t r a c t e d from FTLGM-TM-63-lOijA
r e f e r e n c e 1 and are included as Appendix I of t h i s r e p o r t .

T e c h n i c a l Memorandum
SEM-TM-64-7

IV.

DISCUSSION

(Cont'd)

The Yuma T e s t S t a t i o n d a t a on t h e C-,-llA p a r a c h u t e

f r o m r e f e r e n c e 2 ana a r e i n c l u d e d a s Appendix I I .
The
v a l u a b l e a s s e t and s e r v e s as a b a s i s of comparison f o r
chute t e s t s .
The u n r e e f e d t e s t s c o n d u c t e d by Yuma a r e
s i n c e based upon e x p e r i e n c e t h e c l u s t e r c o n f i g u r a t i o n s
deployed without r e e f i n g .
Ihe s t a n d a r d G-11A h a s a 20
l i n e and i s r e e f e d f o r t w o s e c o n d s .

have been e x t r a c t e d
Yuma T e s t d a t a i s a
the i n t e r n a l paraof acedemic v a l u e
cannot be r e l i a b l y
foot long r e e f i n g

B e c a u s e o f f u n d i n g l i m i t a t i o n s t e s t s were o n l y c o n d u c t e d w i t h 13 and
l 6 f o o t diameter f l a t c i r c u l a r i n t e r n a l canopies.
The m a j o r i t y o f t e s t s
were w i t h a s k i r t s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e o f 3 - 5 f e e t w h i l e a minimum number
o f t e s t s were a l s o c o n d u c t e d a t 1 . 7 5 and b>5 f o o t l o c a t i o n s above t h e
G-11A canopy s k i r t .
I n o r d e r t o e s t a b l i s h t r e n d s , o p e n i n g f o r c e d a t a and a l t i t u d e l o s s
i/O a c h i e v e e q u i l i b r i u m v e l o c i t y a r e p l o t t e d a g a i n s t G-11A canopy o p e n i n g
t i m e , F i g u r e s 1 and 2 .
These p l o t s r e p r e s e n t d a t a g a t h e r e d i n the t e s t s
o f t h e 6 5 1 1 t h program and t h e Yuma t e s t s .
I t i s n o t e d t h a t t h e method o f
r i g g i n g the i n t e r n a l canopy f o r t h e s e t e s t s had no s i g n i f i c a n t e f f e c t on
the o v e r a l l opening performance.
\

The f o r c e s , F i g u r e I , f o l l o w the normal e x p e c t e d t r e a t i and show a

minor i n c r e a s e i n o p e n i n g f o r c e i n d u c e d by the i n t e r n a l canopy a s compared
w i t h t h e l i m i t e d d a t a o b t a i n e d i n t h e Yuma t e s t s .
The a l t i t u d e l o s s e s .
F i g u r e 2 , show a t r e n d which i n d i c a t e s t h e f e a s i b i l i t y of c o n d u c t i n g
t e s t s a t 50 f e e t above the t e r r a i n w i t h s i n g l e 100 f o o t d i a m e t e r c a n o p i e s
(G-11A) .
Based upon P a r a c h u t e Branch e v a l u a t i o n o f a v a i l a b l e t ^ s t f i l m s a d d i t i o n a l comments on s p e c i f i c t e s t s conducted by t h e 6 5 H t h T e s t Group
(Parachutes) are appropriate.
a.
Drop No. OO9-F-62 - There a l s o a p p e a r s t o have been a t i e ,
l i n e t w i s t , o r c o n n e c t o r l i n k e n t a n g l e m e n t w h i c h may have d e l a y e d ' o p e n i n g
of the canopy.
Once the a r e a o f the c o n n e c t o r l i n k s ( w h i c h j o i n t h e
G-11A r i s e r s and s u s p e n s i o n l i n e s ) became f r e e , f i l l i n g o f the canopy
returned t o normal.
b.
Drop No. 1 2 8 2 - F - 6 2 - Frame count of f i l m a v a i l a b l e
t h e o p e n i n g time i s more i n t h e o r d e r of 7 . 8 s e c o n d s .

indicates

c.
Drop N o ' s I 9 9 8 - F - 6 2 and 2 0 5 1 - F - 6 2 , showed d e f i n i t e t w i s t i n g
t h e s u s p e n s i o n l i n e s w h i c h d e l a y e d canopy o p e n i n g and f i l l i n g .

of

d.
Drop No. OI59-F-62 - The f i l m r e v i e w e d shows t h a t i n t h e a r e a
o f t h e G - 1 1 A s u s p e n s i o n l i n e c o n n e c t o r l i n k s t h e r e was an e n t a n g l e m e n t o f
a l l b u t two l i n k s and the i n t e r n a l p a r a c h u t e r i s e r .

T e c h n i c a l Memorandum
SEM-IM-64-7

IV.

DISCUSSION ( C o n t ' d )

Opening time as d i s c u s s e d i n t h i s r e p o r t i s the time from load t r a n s f e r ,

i . e . when the e x t r a c t i o n parachute becomes the p i l o t chute f o r G-11A, t o f u l l
i n f l a t i o n of the G-11A canopy,
V. CONCLUSIONS - Although r e l i a b i l i t y cannot be e s t a b l i s h e d based upon the
l i m i t e d number of t e s t s conducted and the v a r i e t y of parameters t e s t e d s e v e r a l
v a l i d c o n c l u s i o n s m y be drawn.
a . I t i s f e a s i b l e t o reduce the present a i r drop a l t i t u d e of s i n g l e
G-11A p a r a c h u t e s s u b s t a n t i a l l y .
The 13 and 16 f o o t d i a . i n t e r n a l canopies at
3 . 5 f e e t above and i n s i d e the G-11A s k i r t reduce the G-11A opening time with
a minor i n c r e a s e in opening f o r c e .
b . The 16 f o o t d i a . i n t e r n a l canopy shows l e s s v a r i a t i o n i n opening
time and a l t i t u d e l o s s f o r a l l the l o c a t i o n s above the s k i r t than does the 13
f o o t d i a . canopy. (Where s u b s t a n t i a l l i n e t w i s t s were noted the data was
discounted.)
D e l i v e r y with the 16 fcot d i a . i n t e r n a l canopy i s f e a s i b l e
from an a l t i t u d e of 500 f e e t above the ground.
c . The method of r i n g i n g the i n t e r n a l canopy has l i t t l e s i g n i f i c a n c e
on the opening c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s with the e x c e p t i o n t h a t the i n t e r n a l canopy
must be held taught or i n p o s i t i o n during the long f o l d and stowing p r o c e s s
of canopy packing and during deployment.
VI.

RLCOM-jEIffiATIONS

a . I t i s recommended that the I n t e r n a l Parachute Study be continued

i n t o a phase I I drop t e s t program t o determine the f e a s i b i l i t y of r e d u c i n g
canopy opening time and a l t i t u d e toss when used i n c l u s t e r s . Proposed program
i s contained in Appendix I I I and has been coordinated with U . S . Army N a t i c k
L a b o r a t o r i e s and the AFFTC ( 6 5 1 1 t h TG(P).
b . I t i s recommended t h a t a survey of t w i s t e d l i n e s o c c u r r i n g in
a i r drop programs be accomplished. The U . S . Army and the 6511th are cont i n u a l l y making a i r drops and should seek t o provide data on G-11A and
G-12 l i n e t w i s t o c c u r r a n c e s . I t i s f u r t h e r recommended the parachute
p a c k i n g procedures be examined and changes made as required t o assure
t h a t t w i s t s w i l l not be packed-in and t h a t temporary l i n e t i e s cannot be
l e f t i n a packed p a r a c h u t e .

T e c h n i c a l Memorandum
SEM-Wi-64-7

REFERENCES
( 1 ) FILGM-TM-63-IOJ4A, T i t l e d " I n t e r n a l Parachute S t u d y " ,
Gene E . Hamman, C a p t a i n , HoAF and Robert P . H a s t i n g s , C a p t a i n , UuAF.
(2) Yuma Test S t a t i o n Report of DAT P r o j e c t No. ATA 62057, T i t l e d
"Opening C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of the G-11A Cargo P a r a c h u t e " , D i r e c t o r a t e of
Air T e s t i n g , Yuma Test S t a t i o n , Yuma, A r i z o n a .
(3) WABD TH-6O-67I, T i t l e d "A Method To Reduce ? a r a c ' - S I n f l a t i o n
Time w i t h A Minor I n c r e a s e of Opening Force" , Helmut G. r l e i n r i c h and
Ronald J . Nieeum.

T e c h n i c a l Memorandum

SEM-TM-64-7

APPENDIX I
E x t r a c t s ^ f r o m T e c h n i c a l Memorandum No. FTLGM-TM-63-IO4A
TEST H 5 M S

'

N o n - s t a n d a r d f l a t - c i r o u l a r 1 5 ? 5 - f t . nominal d i a m e t e r ( D 0 ) and l 6 - f t . D Q
c a n o p i e s were t h e i n t e r n a l p a r a c h u t e s .
Standard s t o c k l i s t e d G - 1 1 A , 1 0 0 - f t .
D 0 p a r a c h u t e s were the e x t e r n a l p a r a c h u t e s .
v.
TEST E'-^UIPHlKT
1.

Test

Aircraft

The t e s t s were c o n d u c t e d u s i n g C-I3OA c a r g o t y p e

>.

T e s t Loads

A s t a n d a r d J - 1 A p l a t f o r m was b a l l a s t e d
37OO pounds f o r t h e t e s t l o a d s .
3.

aircraft.

t o o b t a i n the d e s i r e d w e i g h t

of

Instrumentation

Two-channel t e l e m e t r i c equipment was u s e d .

One c h a n n e l 1 a s u s e d t o measure
t h e i n t e r n a l p a r a c h u t e f o r c e and t h e o t h e r used t o measure the t o t a l f o r c e .
As a b a c k - u p f o r c i n e t h e o d o l i t e c o v e r a g e , a 3 0 0 - f t . drop l,ine w i t h a
1 0 - s e c o n d t i m e - d e l a y was a t t a c h e d t o the l o a d s t o o b t a i n the r a t e o f d e s c e n t
o f t h e l o a d j u s t p r i o r t o impact-, Hand o p e r a t e d s t o p w a t c h e s were u s e d t o
measure f u l l o p e n , d r o p l i n e and down t i m e s .
2).

Photographic
a.

Coverage

Cinetheodolite

Coverage.

A s k a n i a c i n e t h e o d o l i t e s were u s e d f o r s p a c e p o s i t i o n i n g t o d e t e r m i n e
t h e t r a j e c t o r y f r o m w h i c h the l a t e o f d e s c e n t and a l t i t u d e change from r e l e a s e
t o f u l l open were computed.
The t i m e of day i n b i n a r y code was r e c o r d e d on
A s k a n i a f i l m f o r time c o r r e l a t i o n o f e v e n t s .
b.

Motion P i c t u r e

Coverage

S i x t e e n - m i l l i m e t e r motion p i c t u r e c o v e r a g e r a n g i n g f r o m 100 t o 200

f r a m e s per s e c o n d s was o b t a i n e d .
One camera was l o c a t e d i n a p h o t o c h a s e
a i r c r a f t t o p h o t o g r a p h the e x t r a c t i o n , deployment and o p e n i n g o f the p a r a chutes.
Two cameras were l o c a t e d a t t h e d r o p zone t o p h o t o g r a p h the
e x t r a c t i o n , d e p l o y m e n t , o p e n i n g , d e s c e n t and i m p a c t .
One camera was l o c a t e d
i n t h e d r o p a i r c r a f t t o p h o t o g r a p h the e x t r a c t i o n o f t h e l o a d s .
One f i x e d
camera was l o c a t e d i n an i n s t r u m e n t e d c l e v i s a t t h e c o n f l u e n c e p o i n t o f the
G-11A p a r a c h u t e t o p h o t o g r a p h the deployment and o p e n i n g o f the p a r a c n u t e s .
c.

Still

Coverage

A s e v e n t y - m i l l i m e t e r s e q u e n c e s t i l l camera l o c a t e d a t t h e drop zone

was used t o p h o t o g r a p h the e n t i r e drop s e q u e n c e a t t e n f r a m e s per s e c o n d .

T e c h n i c a l Memorandum
SEM-TM-6/,-7.

o.

S t i l l Coverage ( C o n t ' d )

loads.*

5"

used t o o b t a i n photographs of the r i g g e d

TEST PHOCaDHfiKS
1-

" i g g i n ^ Procedures

J i g g i n g methoa A and r i g g i n c method "B

.

the J - m l S ^ t l t t l t a i
wasTted
of '
a
t e n s i l e s t r e n g t h ( T . S . ) ano a S u S . s ! n y
on^bbin
l i n e served as a connection between the apex of th
? S ^
S000""apex of the G-11A canopy. This qOOO-^b
! ? l n t e r n a l Parachute and the
nad
which were incorporated i n the i l * .
' o n e - f o o t break loops
the S t r e t o h in
during deployment. Each b r e ^ loon t l + ^ T * ' ^
^opy
l0P f the
parachute w m one turn of 8 ^ 1 b L t t o n taoe
^
the suspension l i n e c o n f l u e n c e o o i n t o? t h ^ \ K l e 1 6 o o - l b - l i n e connected
PARFCH"TE and ^ E
l i n e confluence p o i n t of the G-IIA parachute
suspension
i c c a t e d
the 6000-lb. l i n e to measure t h e o p e ^ n g f o ^ e o f t h ^ " ^
T
inment of the s k i r t s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e ^
lu l n t e r n a l Parachute. A d j u s t

x i r ^ -

k
v e r e attached t o ' t h e G-11A parachute w i t h t o o o I T V ^
^
braide<3
able r i s e r s .
The a d j u s t a b l e i n t e r n a l ^ I w
adjustG-11A parachute w i t h ' a u x i n L y
S e c t o r 1i ^ t S r i / T
0Ilne0ted
'
a t G-11A r i s e r s ( 1 - 1 0 ) . ( s i - f o )
f A ? / T V o f S ' , 8) W h l 0 h w e r e i n s t a l l e d
d i s t a n c e S was a d j u s t by p a s s i n i the nt
'
separation
a u x i l i a r y connector l i n k s on the S f l S ^ f
^ 1 p a r a c h u t e r i ^ s through the
c e n t e r core s e c t i o n of the braided i ^ o f r i S r f o l ^ T
^ O h
or so c a l l e d "Chinese f i n g e r " . The
i f
a s e l f - l o c k i n g device
secured by t a c k i n g with Not 5 c o t t o n t h r e a d t
^ u s t a b l e r i s e r was then

variS^uring^h^test^program t l & ^ T S i E
distance
was _ e d
w^ith
^ K ^ S S

r
cutters.
2

tvo

SO-IOOE two-second r e e f i n g l i n e

A e r i a l Drop T e s t s

These^tests^ere Z l ^ V l l t i Z l l T ^ l
*
ft" t o ^
the t e r r a i n .
droos were a c c o m n l i h f i f f ^ f T
above
l
n
d
i
c
a
t
e
d
a i r s p e e d of a p p r o x i rmtely 130 knots except f o r two t e s t s
h
l
0
h
W
e
r
e
indicated airspeed.
i n d u c t e d a t 110 knots
T e c h n i c a l Memorandum

-JoK-Tw-64-7

2 . A e r i a l Drop T e s t s

(cont'd)

A l ^ - f t . D 0 r i n g - s l o t e x t r a c t i o n p a r a c h u t e which was permanently r e e f e d

w i t h a 2 6 0 - i n . r e e f i n g l i n e was used t o e x t r a c t the l o a d and deploy, the G-11A
p a r a c h u t e w i t h i t s i n t e r n a l p a r a c h u t e on each t e s t .
Force t r a n s f e r was
a c c o m p l i s h e d by u s i n g the s t a n d a r d c o n f i g u r e d e x t r a bar t r a n s f e r d e v i c e on
the J-1A p l a t f o r m .
TEST RESULTS
T e s t r e s u l t s are g i v e n i n Table

I.

T e c h n i c a l Memorandum
SEM-IM-64-7
9

'tSS'ilXCS OF

Test
- No.

Drop
Wo.

Date

Gross
V,eight
(lb)
3500
3700
3700

1
2
5

I650-F-61
1731+-F-61
1735-F-61'

22 Deo 61
1 1 Jan 62
1 1 Jan 62

0069-F-62

19 Jan 62

0070-F-62

19 Jan 62

0096-F-62

23 Feb 2
2; Feb 62
2 Feb 62

7
C09S-F-62

Heefing
line
length
(ft)

Internal
parachute

S k i r t separation S ( f t )
and r i g g i n g
method

Drop
airspeed
(OAS)

1 3 . 5 - f t . FC
1 3 . 5 - f t . FC
1 3 . 5 - f t . FC

3.5 7
3.5 B
7.5 A

150
130
150

5', 00

1+0
rSo
1+0
None

1 3 . 5 - f t . FC

3.5 B

130

5 yoo

60

1 3 . 5 - f t . FC

3.5 A

131

Jvo..
: ,'00

60

3.5 B
3.5 A
3.5 A

130
130
130
130

3700

1+0 ,
None

1 3 . 5 - f t . FC
1 3 . 5 - f t . FC
1 3 . 5 - f t . re

0259-F-62

5 Mar 62

3,0,

20

1 3 . 5 - f t . FC

3.5 B

10

0260-F-62

5700

20

3-5 A

130

11

0320-F-62

3,oo

1+0
.0

1 3 . 5 - f t . FC
1 3 . 5 - f t . FC
1 3 . 5 - f t . FC

3.5 B
3.5 A

130
330

12

0321-F-62

5 Mar 62
28 Mar .
28 Far 2

15

0575-F-62

16 Apr 62

3 yoo

Fone

1 3 . 5 - f t . FC

3-5 3

130

H+

0576-1-62
1062-F-62

17 Apr 62

3' 0

20

1 3 . 5 - f t . FC

5.5 A

l-> Jun

,00

20

1 3 . 5 - f t . FC

1.75 B

131
130

1063-- -62

18 Jun 62

3700

None

.5-ft. 1'C

1.75 s

15 J

17

12S1-F-62

1 ) Jul 62

3700

20

1 3 . 5 - f t . FC

1.75 A

130

IS

I- 32-F-62

1..' Jul 62

37CO

20

1 5 . 5 - f t . FC

1.75 A

13 3

19

135 -F-62

26 Jul 62

3700

20

1 5 . 5 - f t . FC

.7.5 A

110

20

1339-F-62

2fc Jul 62

3,00

20

110

6 Aug 62

3700

20

1 3 . 5 - f t . FC
1 6 - f t . FC

1+.5 A

137 F-62
1379-5-62

6 Aug 62
9 Aug 62
9 Aug 62

3 00

20

1 6 - f t . FC

1.75 A
1.75 A

130
130

570'
3700

20
20

1 6 - f t . FC
l ( > - f t . FC

3.5 A
3.5 A

150
150
130

15

23

1I4IL-F-62

3J+15-F-62

370!,

25

U+56-F-62

11+ Aug 62

3700

20

1 6 - f t . FC

1+.5 A

26

H+57-F-62

11+ Aug 62

3700

2<D

1 6 - f t . FC

J,.5 A

150

27

lil.-12-F-62

21+ Aug 62

3700

20

1 6 - f t . FC

1.75 A

130

23

H+83-F-62

2U Aug 62

3700

20

1 6 - f t . FC

1.75 A

132

TABLE

RESULTS 01

Test
No.

Drop
No.

Date

Gross
weight
(lb)

Reefing
line
length
(ft)

S k i r t separation S ( f t )
and r i g g i n g
Drop
method
airspeed
(MS)

Internal .
parachute

29

199S-F-62

6 Dec 62

3700

20

1 3 . 5 - f t . FC

3.5 A

130

30

1999-F-62

6 Dec (2

3700

20

1 3 . 5 - f t . FC

31

2050-F-62 17 Jan 63

3700

20

3.5

130

1 3 . 5 - f t . FC

32

2051-F-62 17 Jan 63

3700

20

1 6 - f t . FC

130

130
130

130

33

0113-F-63 2U Jan 63

3700

20

1 6 - f t . FC

3U

011i + -F-63 2U Jan 63

3700

20

1 6 - f t . FC

35

0159-F-63

5 Feb 63

3700

60

l l ^ f t . FC

36

0160-F-63

5 Feb 63

3700

60

1 6 - f t . FC

3.5 A
3.5 A
3.5 A
3.5 A
3.5 A
3.5 A
3.5 A

37

Olol-F-63

8 Feb 63

3700

60

1 6 - f t . FC

33

0162-F-63

3 Feb 63

3700

60

1 6 - f t . FC

*
**

Not instrumented

A1
(p

130
130
130
130

'

Data not obtained

R'^it'AR KS
(A)

The

p l a t f o r m tumbled i n a p o s i t i v e d i r e c t i o n ( a f t end r o t a t ' n g downward) and the susper,s:

(B)

The attachment between the apexes of the i n t e r n a l and G-11A parachutes was e l i m i n a t e d . Th:
canopy during deployment and opening; the i n t e r n a l parachute wrapped around the l i n e s of t
p l a t f o r m was d e s t r o y e d a t impact.

(C)

The suspension l i n e s tangled then c l e a r e d producing a slow opening.

(D)

The G-11A parachute did not f u l l y open b e f o r e impact.

(E)

The G-11A parachute experienced a s l i g h t s k i r t r e s t r i c t i o n

(F)

The C-11A suspension l i n e s t w i s t e d during opening r e s u l t i n g in a slow opening.

(G)

The suspension l i n e s of the e x t e r n a l parachutes tangled i n t h e suspension l i n e attachment

parachute was not involved i n the entanglement.

Time from r e l e a s e to impact was .J

0

TA 12 I (CONTM
RESULT.; Of' ATRIAL DROP TESTS
spaS (ft)
;ing
Drop
airspeed
(KIAS)

irop
altitude
(pressure
(ft)

Opening
time
(sec)

I.U

130

'+30

130

500

7.6

iaxuium
total
force
(lb)
, 720

i aximum
internal
parachute
force
(lb)
1,500

9,275

130

1500

..6

7,U70

1,375

1500

9.2

3,300

3,175

130

700

9.0

9,1(50

,10

130

630

3.0

3,610

2,135

700

130

700

130

6.'5

680

i'-.Jj

7, < oo

130

700

1 'U

8,600

Rate of descent
corrected to
ICAO standard
atmosphere
(ft/sec)

lie marks

**

(D)

it 30

130

130

Altitude
change
release to
f u l l open
(ft)

Uko

21.3

3-30

23.0

(S)

51(2

20.9

(F)

451

19.2

2,313
2,625

2,2.60

23.6
311+
503

17.5

331+

13.5

(5)

18.9

rd) and the suspension l i n e s between the i n t e r n a l and G-11A parachutes t a n g l e d causing a slow opening.
was e l i m i n a t e d . This allowed t h e v e r t i c a l l y u n r e s t r a i n e d i n t e r n a l parachute t o drop below the s k i r t of the G-11A
round the l i n e s of t h e G-11A paraciiute. This r e s u l t e d i n a r e s t r i c t e d opening and high r a t e of d e s c e n t . The J-1A

se to impact was

. j seconds.

Rate of descent a t impact was approximately I4O f e e t per second,

opening.
i.on l i n o att-achme ; l i n k area and the r e c o v e r y parac. ute did not f u l l y open.

The suspension r i s e r of the i n t e r n a l

11

APPENDIX I I

E x t r a c t s from Yuma Test S t a t i o n

Report of DAT P r o j e c t No. ATA 62057

PART I -

General

A . D e s c r i p t i o n of M a t e r i e l ;
without r e e f i n g l i n e .

The G-11A cargo parachute packed w i t h and

B. Test O b j e c t i v e s : The o b j e c t i v e i s t o determine the opening c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of the G-11A parachute canopy w i t h and without r e e f i n g l i n e d u r i n g a i r
drop of a 3,500-pound load from a C-I30 a i r c r a f t f l y i n g a t 1,500 f e e t a b s o l u t e
a l t i t u d e and 130 knots i n d i c a t e d a i r s p e e d .
C. F i n d i n g s : The performance c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of the G - l l A cargo parachute
packed w i t h a r e e f i n g l i n e i s comparable in r e g a r d t o snatch and opening f o r c e s
t o the G - l l A packed without a r e e f i n g l i n e .
The G - l l A cargo parachute packed
w i t h o u t r e e f i n g l i n e opened a t an average of 2 . 8 seconds f a s t e r w i t h an
average r e d u c t i o n i n a l t i t u d e l o s s of 272 f e e t as compared w i t h the r e e f e d
G - l l A cargo p a r a c h u t e . See Table in P a r t I I , s e c t i o n B1 and Annex B, Table I .
D.

Conclusions:

I t i s concluded

that:

a . The u n r e e f e d G - l l A cargo parachute i s capable of a i r d e l i v e r y of

a 3,500-pound load w i t h f a s t e r opening time and l e s s a l t i t u d e l o s s than the
reefed G-llA cargo parachute.
b . There i s no s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r e n c e i n magnitude of snatch and
opening f o r c e s between the r e e f e d and unreefed G - l l A c a r g o parachute i n a i r
d e l i v e r y ' o f a 3,500-pound l o a d .
PArtT I I A.

Test Lata

M a t e r i e l and Equipment:
1.

Energy D i s s i p a t i n g M a t e r i e l :

2. Platform:
Load, with B a l l a s t .
3.

Paper Honeycomb, 80 (0) 1/2 EDF.

P l a t f o r m Assembly, Cargo A i r D e l i v e r y ,

Parachutes:
a.

G - l l A Cargo Parachute

b.

1 5 - f o o t R i n g s l o t E x t r a c t i o n Parachute

T e c h n i c a l Memorandum
SEM-IM-64-7
12

6,000-pound

PA/.T I I B.

Test Data (Cont'd)

Instrumentation:

1 . M e t e o r o l o g i c a l : M e t e o r o l o g i c a l data was provided by U . - . Army

S i g n a l Corps M e t e o r o l o g i c a l Team, Yuma Test S t a t i o n , A r i z o n a .
2. Tensiometers: S e l f - r e c o r d i n g , photographic .tensiometers v;ere
employed t o record parachute opening f o r c e d a t a .
3 . C i n e t h e o d o l i t e : A i r d e l i v e r y system t r a j e c t o r y data was obtained
by use of c i n e t h e o d o l i t e i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n . P o r t i o n s of the reduced d a t a are
contained i n Annex B, Table I .
Complete t r a j e c t o r y data are a v a i l a b l e from
this directorate.
!). Motion P i c t u r e Coverage: A i r - t o - a i r and g r o u n d - t o - a i r motion
p i c t u r e coverage photographed e x t r a c t i o n , deployment, d e s c e n t , and impact
r'icnomena. Photographic coverage of the canopy opening c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
was obtained by use of a gun camera mounted on a 2 - f o o t s l i n g attached
below the r i s e r e x t e n s i o n confluence p o i n t .
c.

Procedures :

Ten a i r drop t e s t s were conducted t o o b t a i n r e q u i r e d d a t a f o r determin a t i o n of the opening c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of the G-11A cargo p a r a c h u t e .
Five
te.-ts were conducted with the parachute packed i n accordance w i t h stanc<jrd
packing procedures and f i v e t e s t s were conducted without r e e f i n g l i n e .
All
a i r drops were end-item e x t r a c t e d , low v e l o c i t y a i r d e l i v e r y , with suspended
loaa weight of approximately 3,500 pounds on the p l a t f o r m assembly, a 1 5 - f o o t
e x t r a c t i o n parachute was used t o e x t r a c t the load from the a i r c r a f t . A l l a i r
drops Vvre made from C-I30 a i r c r a f t f l y i n g approximately 1,500 f e e t a b s o l u t e
a l t i t u d e and I30 knots i n d i c a t e d a i r speed.
Jiacfi a i r drop t e s t v;as recorded by use of s t i l l and motion o i c t u r e
photography. Photographic t e n s i o m e t e r s were employed t o o b t a i n f o r c e - t i n e
h i s t o r i e s . A s p e c i a l on-board gun camera was used t o photograph the o h y s i c a l
movements of the parachute during opening. This gun camera was mounted on a
~foot suspension s l i n g a t t a c h e d below the parachute r i s e r confluence p o i n t .
See Annex C f o r l a y o u t diagram of on-board i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n .

T e c h n i c a l Memorandum
13

D.

Data:

Data
re <iuced from the 5 a i r drop t e a t s conducted with
.
r e e f e d ana unreefed G - 1 U cargo parachutes are t a b u l a t e d below.

XTi34

OaHEL FED

Deployment

sec

Filling
Opening

9-1

4-8 s e c

sec

6.3 sec

3.625 l b s

Opening Force

7.333 l b s

609

7.875 l b s

337 ft

fns
ips

21 f p s

2.

Summary of T r a j e c t o r y and Tensiometer Data.

3-

Summary of M e t e o r o l o g i c a l Data.

See Annex B. Table I .

See Annex B. Table

II.

Results:

E.

of - ^ n r ^ 6

2.
-

3.500 l b s

f t

E q u i l i b r i u m Hate
of Descent

sec

Snatch Force

A ' t i t u d e Loss'
During Opening

1 . 5 sec

?r?eff

G"11A

0ar

P a r a c ^ t e i s capable of a i r d e l i v e r y

There i s no s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r e n c e in magnitude of
i

T e c h n i c a l Memorandum
SEM-TM-64-7
14

sntrh

ONiHna

( s q i ) "SOHOi 0MIN3J0

o
o o o
o o o
o
o o o
o o o
O^^OOOJOlflp
rosac^F-coac^r

( B 1T ) 30H0,S KOXTOS

o * o o o o
o o
o vs ^o ooo oo oo ^ ^ i o o
u
v no

EH

*(sdj) 'p?s)
" M s 3XVH a n i n ' b s

CMCM^t-=tOCMCOC-CT*^iOJCMCViCMCMCMrHr-CiHCM

>

insect SLVH anun?-^

ss
0
n
E-i
1

( o s s ) H/AOa

Ul
c!
M

cniA vr> rH cno-^co o t-H

CyWCMCNJv'MiMHHCyCM
CM CO CM CO O O J-CO -3"C0
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a o o c o CM O O O CO -^3" co
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aonr*- 1 xov<i smhdvhycJ

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o o o c o o o o o o
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cr* coco j - c n n - H coci~\-j
u^co c^vrSco^o
vO
co -^t
v> -tfvO
I1 (t IIf1 <
Stand.
Stand.
Stand.
Stand.
Stand.
Unreef.
Unreef.
Unreef.
Unreef.
Unreef.

1
1
'

J ) H M 4 H O O cun^n
cr> vo, o cc HvDvo
cy h
co -4-no c n c ^ n cr

( i j ) ONIKTMO
TaniixTs-

ssoi

cH <-h ri it a a) M mi o. ft
3 3 3 3 GJ 3 3 3 a>
hhhbol.i'CfljUa
HO) ^ HM) C\lff^Hu^vO
it ( i1 CO
CM
vO U1H H ^rcncy O ^TO
CT^ rH CM
\h\vO vD vQ CO C*- C^CO CO
r-f CM CO

t^-CO

O
3
3
O
a
CCJ CD
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co
id
o r-l
C3>
O CO

Table I I :

Meteorological

AIRCRAFT ALTITUDE
METEOROLOGICAL DATA

SURFACE MLT2.0HGL0GICAL DATA

.1
' 2

'3

4
5
6

7
8
9

10
4

103.8

97-3

100.0
109.6
102.3
96.0-

97.4

98.9
96.6
>5.8

16 29.I1
21 29. 4
21 29.4
20 29.4
27 29.4
30 29.4
26 29.4
30 29.3

34
37

29.4
29.4

2.14 8 . 7
2.16 4-9
2 . 1 5 P-4.5
2 . 1 2 6.0
2.14
*ND
2 . 1 6 3.0
2.16 3.0
2.15 11.0
2.16
2 . 1 5 3.0

2,0

lata

220

185
218
ND
165
045
185
235
215

No Data

16

1600

1500

4790

4500

9-3

6.0

1994

4490 7.0
5400 14.0

L500

4375

1500
ND

1500
1500
1500
1500

ND

ND

8.0

4260 7.0
4600 15.0
4280 4.0
4220 1 1 . 0

'

! I
i i

APPENDIX I I I
PROPOSED T-cT PROGRAM
G-11A P a r a c h u t e C l u s t e r s w i t h I n t e r n a l

Nr. tn C l u s t e r s

Mr. of Drops*
"

5
3

Canopies

Remarks.

Use s t a n d a r d G-11A c o n f i g u r a t i o n w i t h
1 6 * * f o o t f l a t c i r c u l a r i n t e r n a l canopy.
Standard G-11A except t h a t the r e e f i n g
l i n e l e n g t h s h a l l be 60 f e e t .

3
^

Optimized r e e f i n g l i n e l e n g t h w i l l
be used

Optimized r e e f i n g l i n e l e n g t h w i l l
be used

Optimized r e e f i n g l i n e l e n g t h
be used
* This i s a r e a s o n a b l e minimum number of t e s t s r e q u i r e d t o demonstrate

will

feasi-

bility.
** Based upon s i n g l e canopy performance the 16 f o o t i n t e r n a l canopy l o c a t e d
3 . 5 f e e t above and i n t e r n a l t o the G-11A s k i r t was s e l e c t e e .

T e c h n i c a l Memorandum

SEM-TM-6^-7

17