The Guided Parafoil Air Delivery System-Light (GPADS-Light) is a fully autonomous parafoil guidance system utilizing the military Global Positioning System (GPS) and a high performance 750 ft2 parafoil for precise delivery of payloads to a predetermined target. GPADS-Light is the first Advanced Precision Air Delivery System (APADS) to be fielded to the US Department of Defense. These systems were purchased by the US Soldier Systems Command, Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center (Natick) from SSE Incorporated as part of the Warfighting Rapid Acquisition Program. This paper presents the results of the recent formal qualification by Natick of GPADS-Light, and describes Pioneer Aerospace Corporation's GS-7SO parafoil, which employs a high-performance NASA LS (1)-0417 airfoil.

This parafoil generates total system glide ratios in excess of 4: 1 in straight flight with'real'payloads, providing total mission offsetialtitude ratios of 3: 1. GPADS-Light has a qualified delivery accuracy of 100 m circular error probable (CEP). GPADS-Light, and its commercial GPS equivalent, ORION™, have logged over 500 flights. The military system is qualified to deliver payloads in the range 700 to l, 1001b, and has further demonstrated the ability to successfully deliver payloads up to 1,500 Ib.