Researchers develop a covert resupply canister that enables air delivery of critical supplies to isolated troops.

AFRL munitions experts teamed with engineers from Systima Technologies, Inc., under a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to develop a Covert Resupply (COVRES) dispenser. The team based its design on an existing Wind- Corrected Munitions Dispenser (WCMD™). The COVRES system, which will enable air delivery of critically needed supplies to troops who are under fire or otherwise isolated, uses the novel employment concept illustrated in Figure 1. As shown, the event sequence begins with (A) high-altitude release, and progresses as follows: (B) a WCMD tail unit provides nearprecision inertial guidance, (C) a drogue chute deploys 25 seconds prior to ground impact, (D) the drogue chute deploys the main parachute, (E) a crushable nose minimizes landing shock, and (F) quickrelease clamps enable easy access to the cargo.

Figure 1. COVRES employment concept