Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
High-Tech Resupply Helps Troops
An Air Force C-130, from the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron flying high over Afghanistan successfully air dropped vitally needed supplies to a US Army unit on August 31, 2006. This was the first time the Joint Precision Airdrop Delivery System-Mission Planner (JPADS-MP) was used in a combat zone. Capewell Components LLC of South Windsor, CT is the exclusive international distributor of Planning Systems Incorporated manufactured system. JPADS-MP, is a sophisticated airdrop mission planning system, capable of accepting multiple sources of forecast and real time wind data and modeling those winds to produce an extremely accurate flight path for high-altitude airdrop systems. The loads carried by cargo aircraft like the C-130 and the C-17 are updated during flight with current winds as well as current location through JPADS and the retransmission of the aircraft's GPS. At a calculated release point, the loads exit the aircraft and fly a specific trajectory to the designated target. The Department of Defense owns 50 JPADS and is in the process of acquiring an additional 50 systems.
JPADS-MP has greatly enhanced the Air Force's capabilities by providing the means to precisely deliver supplies from high altitude to our troops. It gives DoD the just-in-time logistics that can sustain combat operations, minimize requirements for resupply convoys and avoid improvised explosive devices (IED). This high altitude capability protects the aircrew and aircraft while providing accurate and precise resupply. Please read Aviation Week October 2, 2006 article on page 13.
Bill Ehler
Business Manager, Precision Aerial Delivery
860-610-0700 ex 3360
Ehlerw@capewell.com
Mike Hickey
Director of Sales and Marketing
860-610-0700 ex 3417
Hickeym@capewell.com
Delivering the Future, Today!
