Paratroopers could fly 200km with new wings system

A new military parachute system which fits wings on
soldiers could enable them to travel to 200 kilometres
(124 miles) after jumping, Jane's Defence Weekly defence
magazine said Friday.

The system, which involves the development of new modular
carbon-fibre wings, will mean that aircraft can drop
parachutists from 30,000 feet (9,150 metres) into an area
of operations without flying into a danger zone.

Trials of the modular wing are being developed by the
German firm Elektroniksystem und Logistik and Draeger.
They are due to finish by the end of 2006, with the entire
parachute and wings combination expected to be available
during 2007.

Peter Felstead, editor of Jane's Defence Weekly, said the
new system has been in use with the German army since
2003, but the development of the new wing means soldiers
can travel much further than the current 48 kilometres.

"The new wing will also reduce the impact of wind
conditions on the jumper and allow operatives to travel up
to 40 kilometres carrying loads of around 100
kilogrammes," Felstead said.

"The system is reportedly 100 percent silent and extremely
difficult to track by air on ground-based radar systems."

Jane's Defence Weekly reported that the next stage of the
development will utilise small turbo-jet drives, as used
on unmanned aerial vehicles, allowing jumpers to be
carried longer distances without jumping from such extreme
heights.