Airdropping cargo system with a steerable container

摘要

A steerable container delivery system ("CDS") includes a pallet (130) configured with inflatable fins (135) for steering a CDS cargo bundle (115) during free fall when airdropped. The inflatable fins (135) are inflated shortly after deployment using compressed air carried by a tank in the pallet (133). A flight management computer ("FMS") continuously monitors the location of the CDS bundle (115) using GPS technology and determines a vector to a drop location based on stored GPS measurements. The FMC continuously monitors and positions the CDS bundle (115) over the drop location, and is able to independently rotate the fins (135) to control the position of the CDS bundle, either by rotating the CDS bundle (115) or laterally moving it. At the appropriate altitude, the FMC causes the main parachute to open to slow the descent of the CDS bundle for impact.