Posted on 12/03/2009 3:17:09 PM PST by Reaganesque
Seriously, how awesome does that look? Imagine Special Forces soldiers zooming through the skies at 60 mph, covering distances of 30 miles or more without being picked up by radar. It could actually happen.
A group of German companies with expertise in parachute systems have joined forces to create the Gryphon Next Generation Parachute System. Designed for high altitude jumps, the Gryphon has a 6-foot wingspan and a glide ratio of 5:1, meaning that a solider can glide up to 30 miles in the air—60 if they go ahead with plans to add a small engine like the one used by Yves Rossy to cross the English Channel.
"All equipment is hidden in a lifting body optimized for stealth, the radar-signature is extremely low," says the Gryphon data sheet (PDF). "Detection of incoming Gryphon soldiers by airborne or ground radar will be extremely difficult."
Gryphon would also include a guidance system and heads up display navigation, which is all well and good, but it seems that the problem of landing still has to be worked out. Skydivers and daredevils using similar technology must deploy a traditional parachute in order to return to Earth in one piece. In order to get the most out of the stealth capability, it would be necessary to develop a way for soldiers to return safely to the ground using the wings alone. So far, there hasn't been any details on who might be interested in funding such a project, but this seems like too good of an idea to ignore. [ Danger Room via The Raw Feed]
Fear the Turtle, indeed!
His next flight is going to be over the Grand Canyon................ Yikes, he might end up going into it.
Jet man!
Just damn that’s cool!
Nothing. JR is making his opinion heard on every thread.
falling with style :)
Anyway, those guys are nuts!
GREAT video! thanks for that one.
It could be because the Romney men are so dedicated to avoiding ever serving in the Unites States military.
Thanks, I really could not figure out the connection.
Like a sea anchor or a drogue, your wisdom (if it can be so called) is always in opposition to the future!
Hard to stand against the on-coming tide, eh?
Wrong, ding bat, there is something call lift-to-weight ratio. IT takes so much wing span to provide X amount of lift. Those little skinny guys are not full grown fully armed combat troops carrying their equipment on their backs. Science fiction is science fiction. Now back to the gate room.
So far, wing suits have a 3 to 1 glide ratio. That can only be improved upon.
We all know you...you cannot command our respect, but you are at least consistent.
And what's so wrong with being a useful contrarian?
We all just serve a purpose...is that beneath your dreams for yourself?
Please enlighten us!
Or is friendly banter beneath your dignity?
Whoever makes the first working unit will have it stolen by everyone after the first mission with it.
I call BS on these wings, which aren't a parachute at all.
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