DSEI 2019: IrvinGQ to demonstrate ATAX aerial delivery system to U.S. Army.

IrvinGQ is a parachute and aerial delivery specialist. The company celebrated its 100th anniversary at DSEI 2019. It has been awarded a contract to demonstrate its ATAX aerial delivery system to the U.S. Army.

Half-inflated dinghy fastened on an IrvinGQ's ATAX quick-delivery platform for dropping in a river before immediate use by a commando (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The contracting agency is the Army Futures Command, Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (CCDC-SC). The funding comes via the Foreign Technology Assessment Support (FTAS) and the Foreign Comparative Test (FCT) programs.

The ATAX was successfully flight-tested from a C-130 Hercules in May 2018. More ground tests have since been performed with C-17 Globemaster III roller system and tower drop tests. Air drop trials are likely to be conducted by the USAF early in 2020. The ATAX is a contender for the U.S. Army’s Rapid Rigging Derigging Airdrop System (RDDAS). The system works within 4 to 5 minutes only. Moreover, avoiding the waste of lots of single-use cardboard decelerator systems, the ATAX uses reusable airbag deceleration packs. When used to drop loads like dinghies or other marine devices, the system works very ingeniously too, as demonstrated on a video broadcasted at DSEI and illustrated as shown on the attached picture.