Airborne Systems is the world’s most trusted resource for parachute design and manufacturing. We have a foundation of over 100 years of designing, developing, and fabricating parachutes. Our company creates and manufactures best-in-class parachutes for the military; GPS precision guided cargo delivery systems; low cost cargo delivery parachutes; parachute releases; personnel and cargo systems; rescue and survival equipment; space and air vehicle recovery systems; and deceleration systems for high-performance aircrafts.
About Airborne Systems
Our Products
Our in-house Research and Development group continues our 100+ year tradition by designing and testing innovative, purpose-built, military parachute systems. Our full range of products are continuously in use across the globe, providing a robust base of experience that continually shapes the development of future products.
Our Capabilities
The Space and Recovery business unit is dedicated to providing our customers with unparalleled technical expertise and experience. Our Space Systems engineering group is the world’s leader in EDL Systems, booster recovery systems, and planetary exploration missions. Our Air Systems group delivers innovative parachute and airbag solutions for aircraft, drones, helicopters, cargo, and weapon systems.
News
Our History
Irving Airchute Company is formed
Leslie Irvin makes the first free fall parachute descent; the Irving Airchute Company is formed in Buffalo, NY.
First autonomous pilot ejection seat system
Martin-Baker, in collaboration with Irvin, develops the first autonomous pilot seat ejection system.
NASA Pioneer Venus program
Irvin develops and qualifies parachute system for the NASA Pioneer Venus program.
Space Shuttle Endeavor
Space Shuttle Endeavor successfully lands using an Irvin brake-parachute
MC-6 Replaces MC-1 with U.S. Army
Airborne Systems competed and won the design competition for the MC-6 as the replacement for MC-1 for the U.S. Army. Airborne Systems was one of four suppliers awarded a 5 year IDIQ contract in 2006 for the MC-6.
U.S. Army Selects the Intruder® Systems
U.S. Army selects the Intruder System to replace the legacy MC-4/MC-5
Celebrating 100 Years
Airborne Systems celebrates their 100 year anniversary as the number one military parachute company in the world
50,000 T-11 Parachutes
Airborne Systems celebrates having manufactured and distributed 50,000 T-11 Parachute Systems worldwide.
Notable Achievements
Mars Perseverance
Here at Airborne Systems we couldn’t be more proud to have played a part in this amazing feat for humankind. The Mars 2020 parachute is 70.5 feet (21.5 meters) in diameter, deploys about 240 seconds after atmospheric entry, at an altitude of about 7 miles (11 kilometers) and a velocity of about 940 mph (1,512 kph). The parachute, weighing approximately 180 pounds, was mortar deployed from the back of the aeroshell and inflated in less than a second.
USMC Multi-Mission Parachute Course
Airborne Systems was awarded a 5-year IDIQ to train approximately 400 Marines each year on Basic Military Free Fall Techniques using the USMC PS-2 Parachute. This 4-week course takes a Marine who has never conducted Military Free Fall training through an intense train up of ground classes, emergency procedures, wind tunnel training, actions in the aircraft, body flight, and canopy control.
UK SOLR Award
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HIAD Technology
Airborne is honored and proud to have supported LaRC in collaborating on the inflatable technology over the past decade, and for providing the parachute system that enabled the gentle LOFTID splashdown. We much appreciated the invitation to view the launch and track the mission progress, and look forward to further collaboration and the opportunity to integrate our technologies into future missions and applications.
Company
Certifications
