The Aeronautical Systems Center is working on a “promising concept” that could make high-altitude airdrops more rapid, safe, and accurate. The Joint Precision Airdrop System incorporates several steerable components—canopy and electro-mechanical actuators—an airborne guidance unit, and mission planning hardware and software. JPADS has been in the works for the past three years, as a means to deliver ground-force supplies into a soccer field size drop zone from 25,000 feet. The altitude would keep aircrews safe from most surface-to-air threats, and the system would further reduce reliance on ground convoys.
Air Force depots are not typically meant for quick repair jobs, but during Operation Epic Fury, the service moved some of its stateside heavy maintenance capability forward to fix battle-damaged aircraft closer to the fight.
