Human Parachute Jumps

Before parachutes were used to recover space capsules they were used to decelerate humans during their fall. This page gives an overview of several (military) parachutes.

Parachutes have played a crucial role in aviation and military history. The development started with the T4 parachute which was later evolved into the T5 and T7 parachutes.

The T4 parachute was developed during World War II. It was a versatile canopy used primarily by airborne troops. The T4 featured a round canopy with a central vent for stability during descent. It was manually deployed by the jumper and used for troop drops, cargo delivery, and emergency situations. Although phased out after the war, the T4 laid the groundwork for subsequent parachute designs.

The T5 parachute evolved from the T4 and saw extensive use during World War II. It incorporated improvements such as a quick-release box, enhancing safety and ease of use. Red panels on the T5 indicated compatibility with specific reserve chutes. Matching red to red or yellow to yellow ensured proper harness pairing. Some T5 parachutes likely participated in combat drops during the Korean War.

The T7 parachute emerged as a modification of the T5. It was adapted for cargo drops, training, and mobilization reserves. Converting surplus T7 canopies to the newer T10 design saved the army significant funds. The T7’s transition to the T10 marked an important chapter in parachute development.

In summary, these parachutes represent milestones in military airdrop technology. From the T4’s wartime service to the T7’s cost-effective conversion, their impact reverberates through history.

The T-10 parachute is a series of static line-deployed parachutes used by the militaries for combat mass-assault airborne operations and training. It was introduced in the early 1950s and has undergone several modifications since then. The T-10D, adopted in 2000, includes the detachable pack tray, which in itself includes the 15’ universal static line and 5’ extension static line. The T-10D is currently being replaced by the T-11 parachute system.

The T-10 parachute is an iconic symbol of military airborne operations and has played a pivotal role in ensuring the success and safety of personnel drops for several decades. Its design and deployment system have been refined over the years to ensure that it remains a reliable companion for airborne units. The T-10 parachute is a testament to the ingenuity and innovation of the military and its commitment to ensuring the safety of its personnel.

The T-11 parachute is the newest personnel parachute system to be adopted by the United States Armed Forces and the Canadian Army. It replaces the T-10 parachute, which was introduced in 1955. The T-11 parachute system consists of a main, a reserve, and a harness. The main canopy is a modified version of a cross/cruciform platform with an increased inflated diameter of 14% and a 28% increase in surface area compared to the T-10D assembly. The T-11 main canopy utilizes a unique deployment sequence to reduce the opening shock and canopy oscillation. The T-11 is designed to have an average rate of descent of 19 feet per second (5.8 m/s) for the 95th percentile service member, compared with 24 feet per second (7.3 m/s) with the T-10C. This reduction is intended to result in significantly lower landing injury rates for jumpers.

The Russian D-10 parachute is used for jumping out of aeroplanes or helicopters of paratroopers including their material. The canopy can carry about 140 kg to a safe landing velocity. The parachute is claimed to work between altitudes of 200 and 4000 meters altitude. 

A new parachute type, Kadet-100, is in development which can carry 140 kg up to jump speeds of 350 km/h. This parachute is developed by the Rostec State Corporation and was handed over to the government for testing.