The US Army has undertaken a complete redesign of its T-10 parachute, which it has used since the 1950s. The new T-11 parachute has a new square design and a number of advantages over the T-10: a larger canopy, slower descent rate, and greater carrying capacity.
After 3,200 test jumps, the Army is moving ahead with T-11 procurement to get the parachutes into the field.
The US Army is paying up to $200 million to buy between 45,000 and 50,000 T-11 parachutes from 3 firms: Aerostar International in Sioux Falls, SD (W911QY-09-D-0036), Airborne Systems North America in Santa Ana, CA (W911QY-10-D-0003), and BAE Systems in Phoenix, AZ (W911QY-10-D-0001).
The new parachute features several improvements over the T-10: an upgraded harness that fits the smallest and largest soldiers and allows integration with modern equipment; a 28% larger more, stable canopy that enables a 49% slower rate of descent; a redesigned reserve parachute system; and a new canopy deployment system that reduces the shock of the parachute opening. The T-11 is designed to carry a paratrooper with a total jump weight of 400 pounds safely to the ground.
The shape of the T-11 chute helps to lessen injuries from inadvertent mid-air entanglements. The T-11 also employs a sleeve deployment system that creates more space between parachutes as they deploy and inflate, decreasing the likelihood of midair entanglement or collision.
