SPELCO - Special High Altitude Parachute Systems for HALO and HAHO

Conventional military parachute equipment is mainly used for airdrop operations and is not designed to meet the challenging requirements of today's and tomorrow's special operational weapon systems. Simply adding special mission-related equipment to a parachute is insufficient - a sophisticated parachute management must be implemented as well. German-based company SPELCO focuses on supporting parachute systems through their entire life-cycle. This ranges from mission planning, integration of sub-systems and components to complete solutions, testing and training.

Turnkey parachute systems

SPELCO stands for a complete life cycle concept from one single source. We support our customers from the development phase to the implementation and operation phase. Our scope of services assures end-to-end services for complex systems with customer-specific requirements. Due to this overall concept we provide for the operational reliability, availability and safety of these systems for their entire life cycle.

• System development and integration
• System upgrades
• Aerospace ground equipment
• Training
• Life cycle services
• Material support management
• Technical documentation
• Obsolescence management

Special High Altitude Parachute System (SHAPS)

SHAPS (Special High Altitude Parachute System) is a parachute system for special forces operatives. ESG, together with DAe, designed SHAPS for the German Bundeswehr special operations units. It has been in use since 2003. SHAPS makes it possible to jump from a height of about 33,000ft and to cover a distance of up to 40km while carrying up to 100kg of equipment. Parachutists are able to enter areas that are difficult to reach for their transport aircraft.

As SHAPS is a modular constructed system with several subsystems and modules, all components have been designed for optimal compatibility with each other to provide the soldiers with the highest safety standards.

GRYPHON High Altitude High Opening(HAHO) systems

The military requirements for parachute systems are bringing soldiers precisely to a landing zone without exposing the transport aircraft, endangering it and giving away surprise. This is done with a mission type called HAHO (High Altitude High Opening). Using GRYPHON, a modular upgrade for parachute systems, soldiers can improve this mission type and reach the target with high speed, undisturbed by wind and protected by a much smaller signature. Another advantage for the soldier is the reduction of exposure to extreme coldness and minimized need for an oxygen breathing system.

Digital Parachute Management System (DPMS)

The RFID Equipment Management system for parachutes is a high performance software solution which interactively supports the user in all logistical processes such as maintenance, test and repair. It captures and manages all information about movements and status of the parachute system digitally and in real time. All status changes are then collected in a central database and stored in an electronic ‘life history’ file. This way, a detailed overview, report and complete history for each monitored module and component can be generated at any time.

OXYJUMP system for HALO and HAHO jumps

OXYJUMP is designed to meet the demanding requirements of special forces or other airborne military assets. The system may be used for either High Altitude/High Opening (HAHO) or High Altitude/Low Opening (HALO) missions. The modular design of the system ensures a great amount of mission flexibility. Due to its design OXYJUMP may be used on most tactical parachute systems even in tandem configuration.

About SPELCO

SPELCO is a co-operative venture of ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik and DAe Systems. The consortium was founded in 2002 to benefit from the experience and competence of both companies in order to assure customer specific end-to-end services for complex parachute systems.

Whereas the ESG, a leading system and software house, contributes its experience and expertise in the field of logistics and operational requirements, DAe Systems provides the know-how in developing, manufacturing and support of high altitude oxygen systems. Therefore, SPELCO stands for a complete life cycle concept that provides a maximum of integrated logistic support (ILS) and economical efficiency.