Study of Advanced Slider Concepts for Precision Cargo Airdrop Operations

摘要

This project aims first at improving the modeling of the inflation characteristics of parachutes reefed with a slider, in particular the type of round and cruciform parachutes decelerating military systems. We are also investigating the inflation performance of new slider designs such as heavy sliders, variable grommet friction sliders. computer-control led sliders, etc. Specifically, we want to find out whether such deigns can lead to lower and reliable opening shocks together with short inflation times, and optimal inflation reliability. We report on the results obtained during the first half of FY00 as well as on the analysis of the test drop data collected in FY99. Both FY99- and FY00-datasets were the result of test drops of full scale and half- scale cruciform and flat circular parachutes, in unreefed as well as in slider- reefed configurations. Other FY00 results discussed in this report include an exciting new theory of unsteady drag, which will prove valuable in improving the accuracy of our parachute inflation simulation codes.