Towed paratrooper simulation and estimation of maximum experienced force during impact

Abstract

© 2019, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA. All rights reserved.Static line parachuting is an important technique for deploying large amounts of troops on the battlefield. The static line ties the parachute deployment bag to the aircraft; when the paratrooper jumps, the static line tightens, removing the parachute deployment bag and releasing the canopy. One of the failure modes for static line parachuting is the towed paratrooper scenario, which consists in the paratrooper being pulled by the aircraft through its static line and consequently experiencing high force levels. It is necessary to check if the paratrooper’s physical integrity is guaranteed for the entire static line parachuting operational envelope in case of a towed paratrooper incident. A numerical analysis of the towed paratrooper scenario is elaborated to meet that end, providing the means to check how the static line material and length, the paratrooper weight and the aircraft speed affect the maximum load experienced by the paratrooper. Simulation results show that there are mass values inside the operation envelope leading to impact loads surpassing the human body injury threshold and the estimated tensile strength of type VIII webbing static lines. In conclusion, one should be cautious when raising the payload for static line paratroopers, and the force transmission from the paratrooper harness to the paratrooper body should be evaluated.