In the interests of the airborne troops, not only promising weapons are being created. To perform their main tasks, the Airborne Forces need parachute systems of different classes and types. A number of similar samples are being developed right now, and all of them will be supplied for supply in the coming years. With their help, it is planned to simplify and make more effective the landing of personnel, armored vehicles and weapons.
Parachute for a fighter
At the moment, the main parachute for paratroopers is the D-10 product. It has a dome in the shape of the so-called. a non-flat circle with an area of 100 sq. m and weighs approx. 12 kg. With the help of the D-10, landing is provided from heights of up to 4 km at speeds of no more than 400 km / h. Safe descent of the parachutist and the cargo container is provided - the total weight is up to 140 kg.
Since 2018, in the interests of the Airborne Forces and ground forces, the Moscow Research Institute of Parachute Engineering has been developing a new D-14 Shelest system. This product is created as a component of the "Warrior" combat equipment and has a number of corresponding features. Thus, the suspension system for the D-14 was redesigned taking into account the appearance of the equipment and its elements. In particular, the comfortable wearing of the parachute system along with the standard body armor is provided. In addition, the permissible flight weight of the paratrooper has been increased to 190 kg.
"Shelest" differs from other military samples in the original layout. The main and spare canopies are placed in a single knapsack on the back of the parachutist. A cargo container is placed on the front of the harness. When landing on water, the container can act as a life-saving device. The D-14 will provide jumps from heights up to 8 km at speeds up to 350 km / h. Descending from the maximum height, the parachutist will be able to fly 30 km.
To date, the product D-14 "Shelest" has been brought to tests, during which it has already confirmed its high characteristics. In the near future, no later than 2022, such a parachute will be accepted for supplying the Airborne Forces, after which the re-equipment of units will begin.
Another interesting development planned for adoption is the Shturm system. This is a bandless parachute designed for special forces of the Airborne Forces and other structures. It differs from other parachutes by a simplified harness and the absence of a knapsack: the canopy is transported in a special case. The latter is suspended in the cabin of an aircraft or helicopter, and the paratrooper, jumping, immediately removes the dome from it.
The unusual architecture made it possible to shorten the deployment time of the parachute. Thanks to this, the "Shturm" can be used at altitudes of 80 m. For comparison, with the D-10 you can jump only from 400 m.
For landing cargo
The paratrooper's equipment may include a container for cargo of limited size and mass. For large and heavy loads, special parachute systems are intended, which are already in supply. New designs are also being developed. So, in the mid-tenths, the Moscow design and production complex "Universal" (part of the holding "Technodinamika") created a new parachute-cargo system PGS-1500. In 2018, the product was tested, and now the issue of its acceptance for supplying the army is being decided.
PGS-1500 is a platform with a suspension system and several domes. It can be used for lowering loads weighing from 500 kg to 1.5 tons, the dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the platform. The product is used with Il-76 aircraft and can be dropped from altitudes up to 8 km at speeds up to 380 km / h.
The existing P-7 (M) platform equipped with the MKS-5-128R parachute system is still used to drop heavier loads. It has a carrying capacity of up to 10 tons, which allows it to be used with several types of airborne armored vehicles. One Il-76 aircraft can drop up to four P-7 platforms; product resource - five runs.
Systems for equipment
Now at the disposal of the Airborne Forces there are a number of systems designed for the landing of armored vehicles of all basic types and other equipment. So, BMD of old models, cars, towed artillery and other loads can be dropped using P-7 (M) platforms and compatible parachute systems.
Also, the supply consists of several so-called. parachute strapdown means. They include parachute and harness systems, as well as shock absorbers to absorb impact upon landing. In this case, all funds are hung directly on the armored vehicle; platform is missing. Thanks to this, the BMD or armored personnel carrier, having received parachutes and other products, retains the ability to move independently, which simplifies preparation for flight and landing. The possibility of landing with the crew is provided.
For the landing of BMP-3 vehicles or unified equipment from the Il-76M / MD aircraft, the PBS-950 Bakhcha-PDS strap-down vehicle is intended. The carrying capacity of such a system is 13.2 tons. The heavier BMD-4M and equipment based on it are dropped with the PBS-950U "Bakhcha-U-PDS" system. The carrying capacity of this set has been increased to 14.5 tons. Especially for the Sprut-SD self-propelled gun, the PBS-952 Sprut-PDS tools have been developed, which ensure the safe descent of an 18-ton load.
The main samples for airborne equipment are in serial production and are supplied to the troops. So, on the eve of the command of the Airborne Forces reported that this year two more battalions equipped with such equipment will receive new means of landing for the BMD-4M.
Universal platform
Recently it was announced the development of a new landing facility - a universal multipurpose parachute platform UMPP. The timing of its appearance and acceptance for supply has not yet been specified. At the same time, the reasons for launching the project and its desired results are disclosed.
In recent years, a number of modern equipment of different classes have been created for the Airborne Forces on a modern basis. Some of these samples are compatible with existing airborne vehicles, while others are too large and / or heavy for them. In addition, there may be a need to drop loads of increased weight. In this regard, the UMPP requires a carrying capacity of 18 tons.
Thus, with the help of the UMPP it will be possible to drop the BMD-4M and various equipment on its chassis - armored personnel carriers, self-propelled artillery guns, anti-tank and anti-aircraft complexes, etc. Also, the payload for the UMPP will be vehicles on other chassis, combat and auxiliary ones.
Today and tomorrow
Currently, the Russian Airborne Forces has a full range of means and systems for landing parachute troops from military transport aircraft - with personal weapons, ammunition, various equipment, armored vehicles, artillery, etc. The effectiveness of existing parachutes and platforms has been repeatedly shown and confirmed in exercises of various levels and scales.
The development of the material part for the airborne troops does not stop. Among other things, it provides for the improvement of the landing equipment necessary to solve the main tasks of the Airborne Forces. In recent years, it was possible to observe a lot of positive results of such processes, and in the future this trend will continue. Already in 2021-22. the emergence of new parachute systems is expected - and this will have a positive effect both on the capabilities of the Airborne Forces and on the defense capability in general.
