MMIST Demonstrates World Class Reliability and Precision at PATCAD 2007
06 May 2008 10:28
MMIST the world leader in Precision Aerial Delivery Systems, recently demonstrated an excellent 100% Sherpa™/MC reliability during the Precision Airdrop Technology Conference and Demonstration (PATCAD) 2007 in Yuma, Arizona.
PATCAD 2007 is the most recent iteration of the biennial event sponsored by the Natick Soldier Center (NSC). It provided a forum for the international community of industry and government agencies involved in precision aerial delivery technologies to share experiences, facilitate communication and witness demonstrations of the state-of-the-art and emerging capabilities in precision airdrop.
This years conference was the largest precision airdrop demonstration in the world to date, with over 500 representatives from 20 nations observing demonstrations of personnel and cargo systems from 16 companies.
Over 150 drops were made during this year's PATCAD from altitudes of up to 17,500 feet above mean sea level. MMIST's main contribution to PATCAD 2007 was a series of demonstrations of the Sherpa™//MC 1200/2200 JPADS cargo system. Over three days, a total of eight SherpaTM/MC drops were made with payloads ranging from 700 lbs to 2000 lbs, demonstrating the minimum and maximum weights for each canopy configuration, deployed from altitudes between 15,000 ft and 17,500 ft MSL.
The Sherpa™/MC demonstrated the best overall accuracy of any manufacturer in attendance for this crucial weight category. All eight drops were completely autonomous with no external inputs to the systems after release from the aircraft, and included landings during highly dynamic early morning winds with numerous unforecasted large changes in wind magnitude and direction.
The Sherpa™//MC Ranger Manpack was also demonstrated at this years event by Canadian Forces personnel with their CF MC5 canopies. Both Manpack jumpers deployed from an altitude of 9,999 feet MSL and landed within close proximity of the DZ. The jumpers took control of their ram air canopy at approximately 500 ft AGL to complete the final landing phase.
The Sherpa™//MC Ranger is a versatile dual purpose unit designed to fly either light weight cargo (50 – 1000 lbs) or a para-trooper to a pre-determined target without manual intervention.
Alexandre Cote, Product Manager of the MMIST Sherpa™//MC Precision Aerial Delivery System, was pleased with the results. "Our recent performance at PATCAD reflects MMIST's commitment to accuracy and reliability, the Sherpa™//MC is an invaluable asset for delivering cargo with low cost, reliability, and ease of use. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Canadian Forces for demonstrating the MMIST SherpaTM/MC Ranger Manpack and the United States Marine Corps for showcasing their deployed Sherpa™/MC 2200 systems at this years event."
The Sherpa™//MC system was first utilized by the US Marine Corps in August 2004, and continues to serve in theater, making it the most mature system available.
MMIST continues its advancements in the area of Precision Aerial Delivery with the recent introduction of the Sherpa™//MC Provider, a system capable of delivering up to 10,000 lbs of cargo and offers the lowest cost per pound of cargo delivered compared to any other aerial delivery system available, including AGAS, LCADS and ICDS.
For more information on this company:
MMIST - Precision Aerial Delivery Systems (PADS) Equipment and Services
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