System and methods for visualization of canopy formation flight
US20260126803A1
Abstract
Various embodiments are directed to systems, apparatus and methods for synthetic visualization of a canopy formation flight, such as used for training of a parachutist freefall team, planning of a mission for such a team, and the like. In particular, various embodiments provide systems and methods utilizing networked data recording systems distributed among a parachute canopy formation to capture relevant data and a computing device to synthetically visualize the canopy formation, provide recommendations for training purposes following the completion of a jump, and so on.
Description (excerpt)
GOVERNMENT INTEREST The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States for all governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to synthetic visualization of a canopy formation flight and, more particularly, capturing individual parachutist data for visualizing the canopy formation flight and components thereof for various purposes. BACKGROUND This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art, which may be related to various aspects of the present invention that are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. Parachute canopy formation flight involves the organized assembly and movement of parachutists under canopy in proximity. The practice of establishing these canopy formations is typically known as canopy relative work and is of interest to both competitive skydivers and military freefall teams. Free fall parachutists exit an aircraft within seconds of one another and regroup while in freefall or following canopy deployment. Free fall operations in which canopy deployment occurs at high altitudes are known as High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) operations, or standoffs. Standoffs are tactically significant in that they permit free fall parachutists to exit the aircraft upwards of tens of kilometers from the desired impact point (DIP), which may allow the aircraft to remain beyond the air defenses of the enemy to ensure secrecy of the operation. The free fall parachutist team then navigates in formation under canopy through the sphere of enemy air defenses until arriving at the DIP to continue follow-on operations on the ground. Free fall parachutists utilize larger canopies with significant glide ratios to increase their ability to orient and track to a DIP from a far-off distance. A freefall team's ability to maintain a tight canopy formation to the DIP is essential for both safety and control. A canopy formation with significant vertical or horizontal spacing may be at increased risk for enemy detection due to a larger overall in-air footprint. Similarly, minimizing the amount of time in which parachutists are on approach to the DIP reduces the amount of time parachutists are easily visible from the ground level. Finally, ensuring each parachutist remains within proximity and in-view reduces the risk of unforeseen canopy collisions or a lost parachutist, especially during nighttime operations. Canopy relative work is simultaneously an individual and collective effort. The ability of each parachutist to control the forward glide and vertical descent of their parachute through strategic manipulation of flight controls to include trim tabs, rear risers, front risers, toggles, and body position, allows the overall stack to maintain its composure. Similarly, the overall team must be appropriately briefed on in-air techniques and mission contingencies and must also plan the exit weights of each parachutist and their corresponding fall-rates. Tight and organized canopy formations come about through well-trained individual jumpers with enough awareness and capability to first attain a position in a developing stack, and then maintain it, and through the kind of team cohesion built through repetition and with significant experience. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Various deficiencies in the prior art are addressed below by the disclosed systems and method for synthetic visualization of a canopy formation flight, such as used for training of a parachutist freefall team, planning of a mission for such a team, and the like. In particular, various embodiments provide systems and methods utilizing networked data recording systems distributed among a parachute canopy formation to capture relevant data and a computing device to synthetically visualize the canopy formation, provide recommendations for training purposes following the completion of a jump, and so on. The various embodiments assist canopy formation teams in tightening their formations by visualizing their in-air movements, such as to critique individual or team performance after a jump, or to plan a jump in accordance with specific flight path parameters, topological parameters, enemy or other threat parameters and so on. Various embodiments contemplate networked data reco
Filing details
- Inventors
- Mahdi Al-Husseini
- Assignee
- U.S. Government, as Represented by Secretary of the Army
- Filed
- Nov 6, 2024
- Granted
- Application pending
Bibliographic data and excerpted text sourced from Google Patents (public record) as part of IP TechMatch's current-filings monitor. This filing is not part of the 2019 historical archive. For the authoritative full text, drawings, and legal status, see the source links above or consult USPTO records directly.