Joint Precision Air Drop System (JPADS)
The Aviation Trail Parachute Museum has introduced a new exhibit as of August, 2022. On display is a fully rigged heavy payload shown as it would be prepared for an airdrop using the Joint Precision Air Drop System.
The Joint Precision Air Drop system (JPADS) is an American military air drop system which uses the Global Positioning System (GPS), steerable parachutes, and an onboard computer to steer loads to a designated point of impact (PI) on a drop zone (DZ). The JPADS family of systems, ranging from extra light to heavy loads. JPADS is used in conjunction with mission planning software that resides on a laptop. The function of this mission software included computing releaste points, weather forecasting, acquiring measurements of wind velocity, altitude, air pressure and temperature. It can also receive weather updates and in route mission changes through satellite links.
2K Screamer
One of the many JPADS systems tested, and the first to be used operationally, was the 2K Screamer system for loads from 500-2200 pounds. The 2K Screamer initially flies under a small 220 sq.ft. ram air drogue to glide to the target then just before touchdown deploys a larger 56 ft. diameter round parachute for safely landing. See the diagram below.
The Aviation Trail Parachute Museum
16 South Williams Street
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 225-7705
The museum is on the second floor of the Aviation Trail Visitor Center.
The Aviation Trail Parachute Museum is Site #1b on the Aviation Trail