An aerial distribution system and method for deploying items is disclosed. The system includes a bulk shipping container comprised of a single piece of corrugated plastic, cut and folded into a closable box, a plurality of deployment boxes within the bulk shipping container, each deployment box containing at least one item, a plurality of tethers, each tether coupling a deployment box to the bulk shipping container, and a freefall retarding device coupled to the bulk shipping container.

An airdrop platform is provided that includes a pallet. Under the pallet are a first outrigger main body and a second outrigger main body. The first outrigger main body and second main body each include at least one outrigger finger. When airdropped, the outrigger main bodies and outrigger fingers are configured to move from under the pallet.

An airdrop platform is provided that includes a pallet. Under the pallet are a first outrigger main body and a second outrigger main body. The first outrigger main body and second main body each include at least one outrigger finger. When airdropped, the outrigger main bodies and outrigger fingers are configured to move from under the pallet.

A parachute system includes a payload support configured to operably support a payload below a parachute and an azimuth control device mounted to the payload support and/or the payload. The azimuth control device is configured to operably impart a yaw rotation to the payload in order to adjust an azimuth of the payload. The azimuth control device may include a thrust producing fluid jet device, a thrust producing propeller device, and/or a manipulatable control surface, among others.

A parachute system includes a payload support configured to operably support a payload below a parachute and an azimuth control device mounted to the payload support and/or the payload. The azimuth control device is configured to operably impart a yaw rotation to the payload in order to adjust an azimuth of the payload. The azimuth control device may include a thrust producing fluid jet device, a thrust producing propeller device, and/or a manipulatable control surface, among others.

An ejectable flight data recorder for robust retention of flight data and aiding in locating an aircraft after an emergency situation comprises: a buoyant housing comprising an internal cavity, a door for access to at least a portion of the internal cavity, and an aerodynamic outer shape having a longitudinal axis; an energy-dissipating nose cone for reducing an impact load on the housing when the flight data recorder impacts a water surface; a nonvolatile memory configured to store flight data; a position sensor for detecting a geographic position of the flight data recorder; a radio transmitter; an antenna electrically coupled to the radio transmitter; a sustainable power system; and a hydrophone for acoustically tracking a sinking trajectory of the aircraft in a body of water.

An ejectable flight data recorder for robust retention of flight data and aiding in locating an aircraft after an emergency situation comprises: a buoyant housing comprising an internal cavity, a door for access to at least a portion of the internal cavity, and an aerodynamic outer shape having a longitudinal axis; an energy-dissipating nose cone for reducing an impact load on the housing when the flight data recorder impacts a water surface; a nonvolatile memory configured to store flight data; a position sensor for detecting a geographic position of the flight data recorder; a radio transmitter; an antenna electrically coupled to the radio transmitter; a sustainable power system; and a hydrophone for acoustically tracking a sinking trajectory of the aircraft in a body of water.

Embodiments described herein may relate to systems and methods for navigating to a supply request. An alert device may be controlled to issue alerts to draw the attention of bystanders to associated supplies for a situation. An illustrative method involves (a) receiving, by a computing system, a transmission indicating a situation at a designated location; (b) the computing system determining an approximate target area associated with the designated location; (c) the computing system making a determination that an alert device is located within the approximate target area; and (d) in response to the determination that the alert device is located within the approximate target area, the computing system executing instructions to activate at least one alert on the alert device indicating the situation and the designated location of the situation.

Embodiments described herein may relate to systems and methods for navigating to a supply request. An alert device may be controlled to issue alerts to draw the attention of bystanders to associated supplies for a situation. An illustrative method involves (a) receiving, by a computing system, a transmission indicating a situation at a designated location; (b) the computing system determining an approximate target area associated with the designated location; (c) the computing system making a determination that an alert device is located within the approximate target area; and (d) in response to the determination that the alert device is located within the approximate target area, the computing system executing instructions to activate at least one alert on the alert device indicating the situation and the designated location of the situation.

A system for cushioning airdropped cargo includes a pallet supporting associated cargo. At least one lower inflatable impact attenuator in the form of a pneumatic cushion is positioned between the pallet and the cargo. A compression pad is positioned between the lower pneumatic cushion and the cargo. At least one upper pneumatic cushion is positioned atop the cargo. A parachute is connected by parachute rigging to the pallet.