The
parachute system takes about 10 minutes to rig onto the
Prowler vehicle prior to the jump. The vehicle is then driven
into the aircraft and secured. Once at altitude and over
the exit point, the tie-down straps are released and the
rider drives the vehicle out of the back of the plane. (Note
that the driver is onboard the vehicle at all times. The
driver is wearing their own personnel parachute for use
in the event of an emergency that would require them to
exit the vehicle during flight. A stabilization drogue is
static line deployed and the vehicle free-falls under the
drogue at approximately 60mph. The driver manually activates
the main parachute at the desired altitude. The ram-air
parachute is steered via electric servo-motors which are
controlled by input from the driver through hand held control
switches. Within 5 seconds of landing, the parachute is
released and the vehicle is ready for use on the intended
mission.
The
vehicle attachment kit takes approximately one hour to secure
to the Prowler. No modification is needed to the vehicle.
The kit simply bolts on to the existing Prowler frame. Once
attached to the vehicle, the kit can remain on the vehicle
without hindering it’'s performance.
This manned vehicle concept has been successfully used
for over 5 years and has completed hundreds of actual
drops.
PROWLER
Parachute System