Posted on 12/03/2009 3:17:09 PM PST by Reaganesque
Seriously, how awesome does that look? Imagine Special Forces soldiers zooming through the skies at 60 mph, covering distances of 30 miles or more without being picked up by radar. It could actually happen.
A group of German companies with expertise in parachute systems have joined forces to create the Gryphon Next Generation Parachute System. Designed for high altitude jumps, the Gryphon has a 6-foot wingspan and a glide ratio of 5:1, meaning that a solider can glide up to 30 miles in the air—60 if they go ahead with plans to add a small engine like the one used by Yves Rossy to cross the English Channel.
"All equipment is hidden in a lifting body optimized for stealth, the radar-signature is extremely low," says the Gryphon data sheet (PDF). "Detection of incoming Gryphon soldiers by airborne or ground radar will be extremely difficult."
Gryphon would also include a guidance system and heads up display navigation, which is all well and good, but it seems that the problem of landing still has to be worked out. Skydivers and daredevils using similar technology must deploy a traditional parachute in order to return to Earth in one piece. In order to get the most out of the stealth capability, it would be necessary to develop a way for soldiers to return safely to the ground using the wings alone. So far, there hasn't been any details on who might be interested in funding such a project, but this seems like too good of an idea to ignore. [ Danger Room via The Raw Feed]
ROFLOL, BS
While Obama and leftist politicians control everything important? No thanks!
Add an small copter type rotor blades to the suit and let them auto rotate to land. ????
Ah, its the landings that always get you.
Wingsuit base jumping! (Must See Video Embed).
Wingsuits are a powerful tool in the right situation.
What will these disposable things cost, Half a mil a piece?
To infinity and beyond!
Trapper ready! Pull! boom!
Looks like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to me.
I saw a video awhile back of a guy using something like this and a small rocket to propel himself all the way across the English Channel.
Ah, its the landings that always get you."
Well, they could always deploy air bags and bounce like the Mars Rovers!
Sport Extreme Jumping.
“the problem of landing still has to be worked out.
Attaching the little wheels to your feet and nose
might be painful.
Not as much BS as you might think. This guy isn't carrying any gear, but the wing parts are pretty small too.
I think the folks working on this are going to have a lot of fun trying it out.
Do you get jump wings or a glider badge? (I’d give ‘em both)
The same guy just tried to cross the Mediterranean but came up short due to bad weather. His next flight is going to be over the Grand Canyon.
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