Supplies on Target

摘要

Much has been done to make the Joint Precision Airdrop System more accurate and less costly. JPADS marries GPS guidance to a parachute load and steers the parachute to a precision landing at precise coordinates. The parachutes in the system are now disposable, and GPS units less heavy, so there is less for the Army to collect and haul back for reuse, said Air Mobility Command's Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr. The JPADS units make it possible to hit a drop zone only a few dozen yards long or less, instead of the mile-long drop zone that must be secured for regular airdrop. The mission is now called Airborne Direct Support.