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Military Parachuting Done for Tactical Operations, Not Recreation
from: Maxx Sports GuidesAs far back as 1914, parachuting has proven to be of great value in military operations. The year 1914 marked the first time that the military considered using airborne forces during battles and attacks.
Charles Broadwick, with the help of his adopted 20-year-old daughter Tiny, demonstrated the use of parachuting for military purposes. She steered and landed perfectly but was never seen after the jump. At the time, the design was a basic backpack container that resembled a sleeveless coat.
While the military officers who witnessed the demonstration were enthusiastic about the project, the army never approved it. They dismissed the benefits that could have otherwise turned the war in their favor.
Later in World War I, pilots were required to fly without parachutes because the generals believed that the men would abandon their planes at the slightest sign of provocation.
Germans Used Parachutes
However, the Germans were already using parachutes for their military operations. The design was rather basic, consisting of only a canopy, several suspension lines and a container for the parachute; however, the parachutes gave the Germans a good advantage over their enemies. The mechanism was a bit crude but still envied by pilots.
After witnessing the Germans' use of parachutes, the U.S. Army was forced to adopt the use of parachutes in their operations, with different results. In Normandy for example the use of parachutes yielded great results despite the fact that the troops were highly disorganized. As a result, the paratroopers went in different directions.
Several developments to the military parachutes were made. Today several highly sophisticated designs made exclusively for military use are being used.
Navy Seals, Army Green Berets
Some military divisions are dedicated to the use of parachuting to deliver men and supplies to the ground. Special Operations Force, for example, performs high altitude jumping to accomplish missions.
They include forces like Navy SEALS and Army Green Berets. On the other hand, Pararescue PJs make use of the HALO/HAHO as an important component of their paramedic operations.
HALO and HAHO jumps, High Altitude Low Opening and High Altitude High Opening jumps respectively are unlike static-line jumps - the basic type of military parachuting done at a maximum altitude of 1,000 feet. Static-line deploys paratroopers in the quickest way possible.
In the HALO or military skydiving, the jumpers form groups and freefall. In sport sky diving this means no-contact RW. On the other hand, HAHO is similar to cross country skydiving where the jumper glides from an altitude of 25,000 feet.
HAPPS or High Altitude Precision Parachute System (also popularly known as stealth parachutes because these cannot be seen easily on the ground) is the skydiving rig used in military operations.
This rig is similar to the ones used by sports skydivers; the main difference is that attachments in the HAPPS allow for other items to be carried. A harness is provided for the O2 gear.
For both canopies, the usual size is 360 square feet. Often, soldiers have to carry 150 pounds of equipment when deployed in remote areas. This extra load requires special features that will support this weight.
With all of its sophistication and advancements, military parachuting is still done only for tactical operations, not for recreation.
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