08/31/06 - A new global positioning system-guided 2K Screamer Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) floats to the ground after being dropped from the back of a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft over Afghanistan Aug. 31, 2006. JPADS will allow conventional military aircraft to accurately drop sensors, munitions, or a huge range of supplies onto the battlefield while minimizing risk to the aircraft and the possibility of enemy detection of aircraft drop zones. The drop was made from 17,500 feet above sea level and is the first joint Air Force/Army operational drop of JPADS in the Central Command area of responsibility.
The dilemma for airdropping supplies has always been a stark one: high-altitude airdrops often go badly astray, while low-level paradrops create significant dangers from enemy fire and reduce range.
The Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) uses an airborne guidance unit (AGU) integrating global positioning satellite (GPS) technology to guide airdropped cargo platforms to their designated target. This enables accurate high-altitude airdrops within an accuracy of 50 to 100 meters, and also allows airdrops to multiple locations at one time. JPADS is expected to be especially helpful to Special Forces, but also has wider military applicability.