On the 26th, the Indian army on the Eastern Front showed their newly equipped Firefly Joint Precision Airdrop System, which is india's latest import from the American AS Company, mainly for airdrop materials to accurately fall to the selected target point and avoid falling into the hands of the other side. So how does this set of things achieve such a function? Let's take a closer look.
Pictured: The guidance control box of the Firefly Precision Airdrop System displayed by the Indian army
The complete Firefly Precision Airdrop System actually consists of 3 parts, which are a thrown weather detection sensor, a satellite/inertial navigation control box and a notebook mission terminal. When using, it is necessary to connect and fix the parachute with the guidance control box, especially the control rope of the parachute should be connected to the parachute actionr of the control box, and then the control box should be fixed with the airdrop materials. Before the airdrop, the operator also has to do a series of preparations, the first is to self-test and calibrate the inertial navigation system of the guidance control box before departure, conduct a self-test on the GPS navigation system, and install the coordinates of the target point to the task computer of the control box.
Pictured: Parachute, guidance control box and cargo fixation
Over the airdrop area, the airdrop operator on the transport aircraft needs to throw the throwing meteorological sensor from the aircraft first, this sensor has a small parachute, which will measure the real-time wind field, air pressure and atmospheric data during the falling process, and transmit it back to the transport aircraft through the wireless communication module, the repeater on the transport aircraft will pass the data to the notebook task terminal, and the task planning software in the terminal will combine these real-time meteorological data with the flight height, speed, weight of the airdrop materials and other data of the transport aircraft. Generate the optimal drift route and airdrop timing, and then the operator connects the terminal to the control box and enters the fall route data into the task computer of the control box.
Figure: Throwing weather sensor
Pictured: Throw the weather sensor first when you get to the airdrop area
Figure: Common throwing weather sensors
Figure: Using a laptop task terminal to load the control box with the fall route data
After all data loading, the transport aircraft re-enters the airdrop route, opens the hatch, and the operator confirms that the GPS signal of the guidance control box is connected. When the drop signal on the control box is lit, the operator directly pushes the cargo down, and the guidance control box controls the timing of the parachute according to the instructions of the built-in task computer, and controls the glide through the parachute rope. Like other precision airdrop systems, the main umbrella is also a choice of easy to operate and glide ability of the wing parachute, the control of the wing parachute is relatively simple, through the two control ropes can complete the left turn, turn right, deceleration and finches descend. During the glide and descent process, the guidance control box will correct the route in real time with the assistance of GPS and inertial navigation, ensuring that it is floating along the pre-installed route and finally reaching the target point.
Pictured: The connection between the wing parachute control rope and the guidance control box parachute actor, the picture is the precision airdrop system purchased by the Singapore Air Force, and the firefly system is the same reason
Figure: Gps signal connected
The American AS company claims that the maximum error of the firefly system is about 150 meters, the maximum gliding distance of 7400 meters is about 25 kilometers, and the Indian army says it is 28 kilometers. This system has different adaptation control kits according to different cargo weights, and the Indian army has purchased up to 10 tons. In addition, some precision airdrop systems also have a wireless remote control, which can be carried by paratroopers, and then control the gliding and falling of material parachutes on the ground after landing first, mainly for the loss of GPS signals. However, the Firefly system did not find a similar configuration.
Pictured: Remote control of the Singapore Air Force Precision Airdrop System
After reading the newly purchased equipment of Indians, there must be many netizens who are also very concerned about the relevant research in China. In fact, the domestic attention and research on accurate airdrops is very early, and it began to be tested at the end of the 90s, and products have also been launched. According to the report of China Aviation News, the new generation of accurate airdrop system in China has completed supplementary stereotyping tests in 2018, and it is also the first type of precision airdrop system independently developed and officially installed. In addition, the accuracy of the system is better than that of fireflies.