The upgrade of weapons of the Russian Airborne Forces demanded to design new airdrop means. Platformless PBS-950U and PBS-955 parachutes have been created for BMD-4M vehicles and multirole BTR-MDM armored personnel carriers. They airdrop the vehicles from airlifters with the crew inside. In 2021, new parachutes will be delivered to another two battalions armed with BMD-4M.
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BMD-4M ready for airdropping displayed at Army-2018 (Picture source: Army Recognition)
PGS-1500 cargo parachute is being accepted into service. It carries 1500-kg cargoes airdropped from Il-76 airlifters. Guided cargo parachutes with various carrying capacities are being designed for precision landing in the assigned area.
The rearmament of the Airborne Forces with wheeled hardware demanded the creation of a unified multirole UMPP parachute platform for the airdrop of 18-ton hardware and cargoes.
In 2018-2020, the Airborne Forces trained joint actions with army aviation at various drills. They directly deployed by ropes and descending devices. The exercises confirmed that direct deployment is necessary in landing on cross-country terrain. It provides for paratrooper landing from low altitudes on restricted and unprepared sites, where helicopters cannot land. Reconnaissance and air assault units are training direct deployment. The instructors are trained in the Margelov Higher Airborne School in Ryazan.
In 2016, the school built an aerodynamic unit to train free fall with sailwing parachutes. Its main element is a vertical tunnel that creates a powerful airflow without whirls and turbulences and distributes the internal space to create comfortable conditions for trainees. The tunnel can simultaneously train five parachutists in full combat winter and summer outfits, a cargo container and oxygen equipment. Video cameras are installed in the wind tunnel to register the jump on a digital information carrier.
In 2020, the deliveries of a new airborne simulator for primary training in real conditions began. It trains the movements of a parachutist in the air from the opening of the parachute to landing. The design of the Kudesnik simulator for the Airborne Forces is to be completed in 2021.
Special parachutes use a stabilizing system. The parachutist constantly descends on a stabilized parachute in a vertical position. It is no longer necessary to train special methods of the jump from the aircraft and a free fall.
Only Russia is capable of airdropping heavy hardware. A single Ilyushin Il-76 airlifter can drop a paratrooper platoon with combat vehicles and ten airlifters can deliver a paratrooper battalion. Only China has a similar hardware airdropping means. It is the platformless PBS-916 parachute.
BMD-4M can be airdropped with a full crew inside. It allows engaging in combat right after landing.
In 2021, training of high-altitude jumps will continue, as well as direct deployment of air assault and reconnaissance units.
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