Do you know Bundeswehr´s Gryphon parachute flyer

It is a parachute that allows you to jump at high altitude, fly as much as 40 km and land safely deep in enemy territory, a version with turbines is in development.




A new parachute system known as the Gryphon has been designed by ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH and Dräger (not sure how you’re meant to pronounce that). The Gryphon enables parachutists to fly through the air at high speed before opening their chutes, so they could be dropped miles away and fly to their intended targets.

The ESG Gryphon is aimed at the military market, where upon parachutists can be dropped up-to 40 kilometres away from the landing pad and then glide their silently and near invisible to any radar cover.

The next stage of development is to add small turbo jet drives which will increase the range even further and allow take offs from much lower heights. Batman eat your heart out.


ESG develops high-tech wings for special operations forces
Continuous development of the parachute system means paratroopers can operate even under difficult weather conditions

Munich, 7 June 2006

High-tech wings made of carbon fibres will help to transport special operations forces with even greater speed and safety to the location where they are to be deployed. The wing (span: 1.80 metres), which will be attached to the backs of special operations troops, is the latest development to the parachute system already in use.

A few years ago, ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH, as part of the SPELCO Consortium, together with Draeger, designed a parachute system for the German Bundeswehr’s special operations units. This system has been in use since 2003 and is known as SHAPS (Special High Altitude Parachute System). It makes it possible for these forces to jump from a height of about 33,000 feet and to cover a distance of up to 40 kilometres while carrying up to 100 kilogrammes of equipment. Parachutists can thus penetrate into areas that are difficult to reach without their transport planes having to fly into a danger zone. This parachute system is almost 100% silent and it is also extremely difficult to detect using air or ground-based radar systems.

18 subsystems with 66 modules are contained in this high-tech parachute system. For example, the parachutists require an oxygen supply and a navigation system if they are going to jump from heights of approximately 10 kilometres. In contrast to the other countries’ armed forces which use similar parachutes, the Bundeswehr uses a modularly constructed system, in which all components have been designed for optimal compatibility with each other, thus providing the soldiers with the highest safety standards possible.

The parachute system will in future be complemented by a special subsystem, which is currently in its development phase. This will be a modular wing, called GRYPHON, that is connected to the parachute. Soldiers will then be able to glide through the air at speeds of up to 200 km/h. This will reduce the duration of the descent from approximately 45 minutes to approximately 15 minutes. Unlike the previous system, this wing can be used in almost all types of weather. With the newly developed wing, the range of possible applications of the parachute will be increased considerably.

The wing will be equipped with a guiding and stabilisation system. Testing is currently being carried out, and the wing should be ready for use as an addition to the present parachute system by the end of this year.


For further information please contact:

Jörg Riedle Tel:
Fax: +49-(89) 9216-2850
+49-(89) 9216-2236


www.esg.de...

Theres already a thread on this topic

www.abovetopsecret.com...

There has already been civilian versions of this tech a man crossed the English Channel I believe with a pair.

[edit on 28-6-2006 by ShadowXIX]

I was reading an article the other day about a guy who used an almost identical system he developed back in the 1950's, so its not a new idea.

Sorry in this forum is very hard to come up with new content.

Maybe not a new idea but developed and perfectioned at a very high level.

Sorry in this forum is very hard to come up with new content.

Maybe not a new idea but developed and perfectioned at a very high level.

the basic concept isn't new:

There was another system being developed by the Germans (not sure if it was powered) that would allow one to "glide" up to 200 KM. For quick and stealthy insertion where a C-130 for example may be detected a HALO jump with one of these things on would be ideal for Spec Ops.

[edit on 28-6-2006 by WestPoint23]

already being discussed
www.abovetopsecret.com...

thread closed