"us/ nato paratroopers parachutes ?" Topic

quick question
when did us paratroops start using square parachutes ?
also what is the story with other nato paratroopers chutes square or round

Don't know, but they're really more rectangular than round, and the people handing below them can direct them a bit (subject to the vagaries of the winds aloft of course), so they can choose their landing spots.

They are great fun to "fly".

Square chutes are designed to be more steerable and in turn be more accurate. And can "fly" long distances like we see in a HALO drop. And AFAIK, only Spec Ops types use the square more steerable chutes.

In a Mass Tac drop with many plane loads to paratroops to be deployed. Having too much "steerability" could/would cause "accidents" with all the moving around in the air. Like running into another trooper, taking another chute's air, etc. …

Maybe some other more recent parachute qualified troops could give an updated account ? We jumped the standard "round" T-10 and MC1-1B, IIRC. Back in the '80s. Training jumps were at around 1200-1300 ft. Now both of those chutes are "steerable", the latter more so than the first. But not as steerable as a Square chute. However the point is with too many troops in the air. Having too much "steering" going on. And with "Murphy" … can and will happen.

In an actual jump like the RANGERs did in Panama in the late '80, IIRC. They jumped in at @ 250ft. That was the minimal altitude for a chute to open. And you have no time to deploy a reserve chute at that altitude. The Reserve is rigged in front of the jumper. If his main malfunctions, etc., it can be deployed.

You want to be on the ground as soon as possible to not be target. Like we saw at Normandy, etc., or in some other drops, etc., …

I don't know the exact date when the square chutes were first used in the US Army. But it may have been in the latter years of the War in SE Asia ? But like I said, when I was in the Army, only SF types used the Square chutes. Hope that helps ?

Legion makes some excellent points

I recall seeing US Army troops using them at airshows back in the 1970s, so definitely since then.

I used them in the mid-1980s, and we jumped at 3,000 feet for early practices. Surprising how far those chutes will travel from that height.

Great fun, and highly recommended!

Yes, Spec Ops are trained to jump at high altitudes with oxygen tanks. Free fall then the chute opens at whatever the ops calls for. A HALO jump. I've heard that at certain altitudes a Square chute can "fly/glide" about 60 miles, IIRC …

thanks guys
just found a youtube vid 82nd using square/rectangle chutes
title 82nd airborne jump trident juncture ultimate reach
filmed november 2015 at zaragoza spain
sorry guys i am no good at making links work

No Problem … glad to help … It seems based on that video you referenced. The more steerable square chutes may have worked their way down to the standard trooper. At this point. And the training to go along with it. Good to know …

I was in the 82nd from 1984-1988 and all I ever used were round parachutes. The most I could ever do to steer the thing was pull on a riser to avoid obstacles and other jumpers.

Special Forces used the square chutes and would practice landing in a very small circle on the ground. I saw one Special Forces jump where they came out of the aircraft at staggered times so they could all land in the exact same spot. One guy lands and clears the circle on the ground to make room for the next guy coming in right behind him.

Yes, that was my experience too. And the round chutes, as you noted their "steerability" was very limited. As you pointed out. Pull on a riser or toggle, based on the chute type.