Galaxy, US Air Force C-130 Tank Airdrop: The Future of Precision Delivery

In an effort to revolutionize the way troops receive supplies and equipment in combat zones, the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron recently conducted a historic airdrop using the Extracted Container Delivery System (XCDS) on a Galaxy US Air Force C-130. This cutting-edge technology has the potential to significantly improve the accuracy of airdrops, providing critical support to ground troops.

According to Senior Airman Marisa Powers, 772nd EAS loadmaster, the XCDS system involves attaching an additional parachute to a group of bundles, which pulls them out of the aircraft at a faster speed and over a smaller area. This not only reduces the risk of friendly fire or civilian casualties but also increases the overall efficiency of the delivery process.

The XCDS system requires more complex rigging inside the aircraft, making it essential for loadmasters like Powers to be thorough in their preparations. 'We needed to seriously hit the books more than usual, get in there and read everything a million times and understand,' said Powers, who deployed from the 143rd Airlift Wing of the Rhode Island National Guard.

The XCDS system's faster deployment rate also means that bundles fall out of the aircraft at a steeper angle, which can be challenging for loadmasters. However, Capt. 'Last Name', 772nd EAS pilot, emphasized the importance of this design feature: 'Normally a bundle falls out of the aircraft due to gravity, with the speed mostly dependent on the deck angle of the aircraft. The new method is designed to pull the bundles out of the aircraft at a faster rate than the current process, which improves the overall accuracy of the drop itself.'

The 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron executed the first XCDS airdrop in combat on April 29, successfully demonstrating its capabilities. This milestone marks an exciting step forward in the development of precision delivery technology, which will undoubtedly benefit troops operating in various environments.

As the US Air Force continues to invest in innovative technologies like XCDS, it's clear that the Galaxy C-130 and other aircraft will play a vital role in delivering critical supplies and equipment to those who need them most. The future of military logistics has arrived, and it's more accurate and efficient than ever before.

Galaxy us air force c-130 tank airdrop