<![CDATA[Would you jump from a plane]]>strapped to a fifty-year-old parachute? To the Army, it’s a “proven system”. To the soldiers who use them, this upgrade has to come as welcome news.

The new parachutes address increased weight requirements and provide additional safety benefits. Beginning in 2008, all T-10 parachutes in the Army inventory for more than 50 years will be replaced with the Advanced Tactical Parachute System (ATPS) T-11. Although the T-10 is a proven system, today’s paratroopers face increased requirements beyond the T-10’s design.

I’m not ready to hit the ground at “only” 18 fps, let alone packing an extra 200 plus pounds of gear. Those Airborne guys may be crazy, but they’ve got my respect.

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