A shock absorber assembly, particularly for attenuating shocks transmitted to a person's body, especially to reduce shock to a paratrooper's body during a tethered cargo tandem jump. Specialized elastic absorber units are disposed between two connectors, such as carabiners, with a connector secured to a respective end of each absorber unit. Each absorber unit has a rupture length corresponding to its length when it is stretched to its maximum immediately before rupturing under tensile loading. A limiter strap also is secured between the connectors, with a connector on each end of the limiter strap. The limiter strap prevents the absorber units from breaking by preventing their stretch to their breaking point. A flap or bands are provided for temporarily maintaining the limiter strap folded in a compact bale until needed. In use, the complete shock absorber assembly is deployed between a cargo tether and a cargo harness.

A shock absorber assembly, particularly for attenuating shocks transmitted to a person's body, especially to reduce shock to a paratrooper's body during a tethered cargo tandem jump. Specialized elastic absorber units are disposed between two connectors, such as carabiners, with a connector secured to a respective end of each absorber unit. Each absorber unit has a rupture length corresponding to its length when it is stretched to its maximum immediately before rupturing under tensile loading. A limiter strap also is secured between the connectors, with a connector on each end of the limiter strap. The limiter strap prevents the absorber units from breaking by preventing their stretch to their breaking point. A flap or bands are provided for temporarily maintaining the limiter strap folded in a compact bale until needed. In use, the complete shock absorber assembly is deployed between a cargo tether and a cargo harness.

When the tension across the cord's 24 length reaches a predetermined threshold, an activation mechanism within the payload 16 and coupled to one of the cord's 24 ends is actuated in order to activate the payload 16. Activating the payload 16 may include deactivating a SAFU, activating a motor 32 disposed within the housing, or causing flight controls to extend from a housed position. Here, “within the payload 16” may mean part of the activation mechanism is disposed on the outer surface or housing of the payload 16.

Disclosed herein is a quick release assembly. The quick release assembly includes a main body, a cover member, a pin, and a lever. The main body has a first end, a second end, and an opening between the first and second ends. The first end includes a first receiving portion. The second end includes a second receiving portion. The cover member is between the first and second ends. The pin is disposed between the main body and the cover member. The pin includes a slot. The lever is mounted at the opening of the main body. A first end of the lever is at the slot, and a second end of the lever extends from a side of the main body. The pin is configured to move between the first and second ends in response to pivoting of the lever.

Disclosed herein is a quick release assembly. The quick release assembly includes a main body, a cover member, a pin, and a lever. The main body has a first end, a second end, and an opening between the first and second ends. The first end includes a first receiving portion. The second end includes a second receiving portion. The cover member is between the first and second ends. The pin is disposed between the main body and the cover member. The pin includes a slot. The lever is mounted at the opening of the main body. A first end of the lever is at the slot, and a second end of the lever extends from a side of the main body. The pin is configured to move between the first and second ends in response to pivoting of the lever.

A cargo parachute stabilization system, utilized with an Intermediate Load Attachment Platform (ILAP) operationally disposed between the parachute and a cargo load. The parachute stabilization system secures the deployment bag to the ILAP during drogue fall and is released in response to dislodgment of at least one pull pin coupled directly or indirectly to the drogue parachute.

A drogue parachute system for a spacecraft includes a first parachute, a first set of connection lines, an extension device, a second set of connection lines, a second parachute and a third set of connection lines. Each connection line of the first set of connection lines includes two opposite ends respectively connected to the first parachute and the spacecraft. Each connection line of the second set of connection lines includes two opposite ends respectively connected to the extension device and the first parachute. Each connection line of the third set of connection lines includes two opposite ends respectively connected to the second parachute and the extension device.

A drogue parachute system for a spacecraft includes a first parachute, a first set of connection lines, an extension device, a second set of connection lines, a second parachute and a third set of connection lines. Each connection line of the first set of connection lines includes two opposite ends respectively connected to the first parachute and the spacecraft. Each connection line of the second set of connection lines includes two opposite ends respectively connected to the extension device and the first parachute. Each connection line of the third set of connection lines includes two opposite ends respectively connected to the second parachute and the extension device.

An Intermediate Load Attachment Platform (ILAP) for attaching a cargo load to at least one main parachute, the ILAP protects a release mechanism disposed at least partially therein, the release mechanism is coupled to a drogue mechanism, such that the drogue is released from the ILAP when the release mechanism is opened, thus beginning deployment of the main canopy.

Disclosed is a sonobuoy that houses at least one unmanned vehicle that may be launched from the sonobuoy. The sonobuoy may include a canister, a parachute, an unmanned vehicle, and a launch mechanism. The parachute may be disposed within an interior cavity of the canister proximate to a first end of the canister. The unmanned vehicle may be disposed within the interior cavity of the canister proximate to a second end of the canister. The launch mechanism may be disposed within the interior cavity of the canister and operatively coupled to the unmanned vehicle. The launch mechanism may be configured to launch the unmanned vehicle from the canister. The sonobuoy may further include a launch deployment mechanism that may be configured to orient the canister with respect to a surface after the sonobuoy impacts the surface in order to facilitate the launch of the unmanned vehicle.