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US Special Forces Test Autonomous Glider For Critical Resupply Missions
[ZERO] At the beginning of this year, we checked out exhibits of defense firms showing off their cutting-edge weapons at the 45th SHOT Show at the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas (read: here & here). Over the years, what has captured our attention are the advanced weapons that could potentially be employed by Tier 1 special ops personnel in the next major conflict. The latest weapon of war that special ops might be adding to their arsenal is a new unmanned aerial delivery system for quick resupply of friendly forces on the frontlines. In February, the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) successfully tested Defense Department contractor Silent Arrow's GD-2000 glider, a disposable autonomous aircraft that can haul upwards of 1,500 pounds of gear and equipment at a range of up to 40 miles, at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. Traditional supply delivery systems can be bulky and involve a parachute with a very limited distance. The ability of the autonomous glider to maneuver through the air will allow Tier 1 operators to receive critical supplies in heavily contested warzones. "What this glider does is give us a much greater [travel distance] and a much greater glide ratio into a target. "If we are able to get [the glider] up to 40,000 feet we're looking at [travel distances] in excess of 25 to 30 miles. That's a pretty unique capability and not matched by anything we currently have," said a Special Forces detachment commander whose team tested the glider. During the successful field training exercise at Yuma Proving Grounds, the GD-2000 with 1,000 pounds of supplies was airdropped from an Alenia C-27J Spartan military transport plane, and it glided to within 30 meters of its intended target. Posted by: Besoeker 2023-04-03 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=663172 |