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The article deals with aerial resupply of American troops in Afghanistan. It states that sustainment operations in Afghanistan is challenging for army logisticians because of limited road infrastructure, rugged terrain and harsh weather, making air drop the most practical option. The U.S. uses a variety of air drop technology including the joint precision airdrop system (JPADS), low-cost airdrop system (LCADS) and low-cost low-altitude system (LCLA). The history of airdrop during the World War II and the Korean War is also discussed.

This article presents information on the role played by the Pilatus Porter fixed-wing aircraft in Vietnam war. In the mid-1960s the U.S. Air Force became interested in the Porter. Two of the birds were configured with bomb stations and automatic weapons. Tests indicated that for certain missions, the plane could be a winner. Several Navy officials reasoned that, as an interim emergency measure, it could add much to the brown water Navy. Its speed, endurance, payload, and ability to take damage compared to the helo made it a natural for air support of the patrol boats task force.

The article offers world news briefs. Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe resigned after only one year in office. U.S. officials visited a North Korean nuclear reactor in Yongbyon, North Korea. A U.S. transport plane dropping food supplies in Mali was raked with machine gun fire by rebel fighters.

Discusses issues regarding the U.S. involvement in the Balkans, with reference to U.S. President Bill Clinton's decision to air drop relief to besieged Muslims in eastern Bosnia. Uncertainty whether the administration will be able to navigate the complex military and diplomatic realities towards a successful solution to the war in the Balkans; Concerns over the status of the air drops; Impact of the objections from the United Nations on Clinton's decision; Purpose of former U.S. President George Bush behind the proposal to lift the arms embargo against the Bosnians; Lack of strategic self-confidence in Clinton's policy.

The article discusses how aerial delivery in Afghanistan has been improved. The Supply and Services Branch of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command (TSC) of the U.S. Army has identified locations that can support the operation in Afghanistan in which Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait is included. The 4th Sustainment Brigade, 101st Joint Logistics Cell, 19th Battlefield Coordination Detachment, and parachute riggers worked together in making Ali Al Salem a possible location for aerial delivery.

The article offers information on the aerial delivery operations for the U.S. Army and civilians in Afghanistan. Parachute rigging or aerial delivery is the suitable approach in providing necessary supplies for survival. It discusses how the airdrop process handles the delivery procedure using skid board and parachute.

Deals with the inspection and loading of airdrop load for testing the Army C-5 Brigade Airdrop. Feasibility of procedures for C-5 aircraft and C-5 Container Delivery System capability; Capability of C-5 to airdrop heavy equipment platforms.

The article discusses the development of guidance, navigation, and control software by Draper Laboratory to increase the accuracy of the U.S. Army's Joint Precision Airdrop (Jpads) 2K system. Topics include the challenges of cargo resupply in Afghanistan and how Draper's autonomous technology is improving the capability of unmanned systems.

The article reports that the crew of Georgia Air National Guard had succeeded in their airdrop mission to help the Afghan civilians in a distant area in Afghanistan last August 26, 2009. It notes that the dropped bundles, as a part of humanitarian aid, were packaged in a container delivery system containing necessities including food, clothes, and blankets. According to Lieutenant Colonel Tommy Atkinson, the airdrop has given them a major challenge that was later been enjoyed.

The article discusses several fixed-wing aircrafts used in the U.S. Armed Forces. The C-12 King Air renders various duties including personnel and light cargo transport. The EO-5 Airborne Reconnaissance Low (ARL) which comes in two forms are equipped with COMINT sensor package and both COMINT and imagery capability. The C-23 Sherpa also provides assistance in the transport of troops and equipment, airdrop, and medical evacuation. The C-26 Fairchild Metro Liner is used for heavy travel routes.

The article reports on the delivery of the N198 cannon by the Total Force C-130 Crew Airdrops Artillery to the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. The 155 millimeter (mm) towed howitzer was loaded on a Missouri Air National Guard C-130 Hercules. The 36-foot long cannon is aimed to help the Army due to its ability to send high-explosive shells at insurgents threatening areas in Patika Province.

The article offers information on joint precision airdrop systems (JPADS) in the U.S. JPADS provides a range of Joint service warfighter benefits. It also envisions a common mission planner used to deliver a gliding parachute decelerators and delivering cargo in four weight categories. According to Richard Benney, division leader for the Aerial Delivery Equipment and Systems Division, the program encompasses various decelerators in the extra lightweight class that are being used operationally.

The article offers news briefs on the aerospace industry in the U.S. An investigation occurred on a series of MC-4 pilot parachute hesitation incidents at the Military Freefall Schoolhouse in Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona. The U.S. Department of Defense continues to be involved on a set of Joint Precision Airdrop System programs. The Stardust spacecraft has also seen a return in the sector.

The article discusses the ways the U.S. Marines are devising to send food and material to small dispersed units vital to the Distribution Operations concept. Various means of resupplying goods are being considered by the organization including the Joint Precision Airdrop System which involves a parafoil that can be guided to a selected drop zone through the use of a Global Positioning System device.

The article discusses the role of mobility airmen in the U.S. in the areas of field operations. It mentions mobility airmen's duties which include the airdropping of supplies, providing aeromedical support and hope for warfighters and victims in various places. It also cites the importance of the Holiday Safety Campaign from November 18, 2011 to January 3, 2012. It offers an appreciation to the airmen and their families for commitment and sacrifices they made for the country.

The article offers information on how to deliver the military supplies of the U.S. Army to the ground by using helicopters. According to the author, using a freefall method of delivery, is not really successful, thus, they developed a refined method that allows them to deliver duffle or kit bags of supplies down to the ground from a helicopter, by using a belay device to control the descent of the supplies and backstacked the rope into a bag to keep it from getting tangled with the aircraft.

Reports on the conduct of a combat airdrop in Afghanistan by a crew from the North Carolina Air National Guard's Airlift Wing. Comment by aircraft commander Jaye Stepp about the opportunity; Risks associated with the mission; Importance of the mission for ground troops.

This article reports that the Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) is the subject of an advanced concept technology demonstration conducted by the United States Army, Air Force, the U.S. Joint Forces Command, and the defense industry. The JPADS combines a guided parachute system with the global positioning system (GPS). With its GPS-based aerial guidance unit and high-altitude airdrop capability, the JPADS can deliver supplies within 50 to 100 meters of the target while protecting crews against enemy fire that can endanger low-altitude runs.

Features the C-130J Combat Airdrop developed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems Co. for the U.S. Air Force and released in September 2005. Specifications; Capabilities; Technologies installed in the aircraft.

Reports on the progress in research and development in the United States (U.S.) on the application of control to parachute systems involved in aerial delivery operations. Initiatives led by the U.S. Army's Natick Soldier Center; Information on several areas of cargo airdrop that the Army has started to work on; Details on the revival of midair retrieval.