Feasibility of tactical air delivery resupply using gliders

Due to the high cost and logistical burden placed on deployed units by the Joint Precision Aerial Delivery System (JPADS), the USMC has requested proposals for a single-use tactical resupply glider that can resupply squads with 500 pounds of essential food and gear while costing less than $3,000 per unit and using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics. The feasibility of this request was determined by designing, constructing, and testing two prototype gliding aerial delivery systems, Pun-Jet and Sparrow, using modern design and manufacturing techniques including AutoCAD, 3D printing, laser cutting and CorelDraw, and conducting field testing and subsequent analysis using MATLAB. It was determined that a low-cost, glider-based precision aerial delivery system utilizing COTS electronic components is likely a viable alternative to the parachute-based systems currently in use and can be constructed using modern manufacturing techniques. Further research should include an enlarged design, logistics, improvement of landing algorithms and navigation in GPS-degraded environments.http://archive.org/details/feasibilityoftac1094551717Lieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited