U.S. Army wants to expand airdrop capabilities of JLTV with Gravity Airdrop System


The current Boeing C-17 Globemaster III capability enables the delivery of up to eight Humvees from a single aircraft. Due to the larger size and weight of the JLTV, this capability is limited to two vehicles using the conventional Low-Velocity Airdrop System (LVADS).
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JLTV dropped from a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III (Picture source: U.S. Army)


In March 2019, the 82nd Airborne Division was in the final phases of airdrop testing five configurations of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). During the test, soldiers from A Company, 407th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, rigged, airdropped, and recovered the JLTVs on a drop zone along with the U.S. Army Operational Test Command's (OTC) Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate (ABNSOTD). "Multiple configurations with both light and 'up-armored' JLTV models wee air-dropped, then road tested to ensure they are still operational and fully mission capable after reaching the ground," said Mr. Wayne G. Lovely, Military Test Plans Analyst, Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command. The test team conducted 15 low-velocity airdrops of the vehicle, three drops per configuration.

The U.S. Army is now looking for contractors to develop a new airdrop system that would allow delivery of up to four JLTVs on a single aircraft, according to a recently published request for information. Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (CCDC SC) is executing a three-year, US Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) funded project to develop an increased JLTV C-17 Gravity Airdrop System (GADS) capability that will enable airdrop of four JLTVs per C-17 transport plane.


Army Recognition Global Defense and Security news

JLTV dropped from a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III (Picture source: U.S. Army)