The Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center in Massachusetts wants to develop a system for using cargo parachutes to deliver food in the wake of a disaster.
The lab said the system is intended to be used in a “mass resupply scenario” requiring “thousands, if not millions, of food and water packages to be produced and stored, ready for immediate use.” Cargo parachutes would carry two ounce U.S. Agency for International Development food bars and four ounce bottles of water packaged in 15 pound containers, which would then be turned and dumped to the ground at an altitude of between 1,000 feet and 5,000 feet.
Maybe the lab should consult retired Air Force Lt. Col. Gail Halvorsen, who gained fame as the “Candy Bomber” during the 1948-1949 Berlin airlift, when he tossed small parachutes made out of handkerchiefs containing candy out of his aircraft to the children of that besieged city.
Bob Brewin
Bob Brewin joined Government Executive in April 2007, bringing with him more than 20 years of experience as a journalist focusing on defense issues and technology. Bob covers the world of defense and information technology for Nextgov, and is the author of the “What’s Brewin” blog.
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