Next Generation Aerial Delivery Systems
Frequently Asked Questions

Capewell’s solutions conceptually depicted in the video, are actually at various stages of maturity and Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), from TRL-2 to TRL-7.  Our solutions supporting maritime craft (crewed and uncrewed) and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are the furthest along, followed closely by our roll-on/roll-off ground vehicle platform.  Non-Disclosure Agreements with some partners prevent full transparency; however, we would welcome an opportunity to discuss our specific programs once the right protections are in place. 

All our solutions are adaptations of the proven and common aerial delivery technology, the Type V Airdrop Platform.  The tried and true, widely proliferated, globally in-service, certified/qualified, and interoperable NATO standard Type V Airdrop Platform is the basis for Capewell’s next generation solutions.  This first principle of our solution set reduces system and sustainment costs, simplifies training and aircraft interface/compatibility, and takes advantage of existing cargo parachute and hardware technologies.  Accordingly, there is a large degree of component and sub-component commonality and operational complementarity between these solutions and the capabilities they represent.   

As derivatives of the NATO standard Type V Airdrop Platform, we are constrained by the qualification parameters of that system.  Each payload will have to be assessed for compliance against strict guidance as defined in numerous Military Standards, so we recommend an engagement with our team, which you can schedule through our “Contact an Expert” portal on this website.  Capewell is already engaged with several autonomous / uncrewed maritime, land, air vehicle / craft OEMs to ensure that their vehicles are compatible with the payload envelopes found in a wide variety of air transport aircraft.

We would encourage you to seek advice from one of our experts via the “Contact an Expert” portal.  For information, our designs comply with:

• MIL-STD-1791 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INTERFACE STANDARD: DESIGNING FOR INTERNAL AERIAL DELIVERY IN FIXED WING AIRCRAFT
• MIL-STD-814: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INTERFACE STANDARD: REQUIREMENTS FOR TIEDOWN, SUSPENSION AND EXTRACTION PROVISIONS ON MILITARY MATERIEL FOR AIRDROP

Should you have a national standard such as the UK DefStan, our Engineering Team would conduct a gap analysis to meet the requirements particular to the customer.

All of the Capewell solutions can be configured for training or actual operations.  For example, our maritime craft platform can be configured to sink during actual operations, or it can be configured to float during training so it can be recovered, serviced, and reused.  Being a derivative of the Type V Airdrop Platform, all the components are subject to individual service life, cyclic usage limits, or conditional serviceability.  It is not uncommon to operate Type V Airdrop systems that were manufactured more than 10 years ago.  All of the Capewell solutions will be provided with a Commercial Manual Operating Document Set, in which there will be a Master Maintenance List (MML) that details the service life limitations of all components.

Yes.  Capewell can provide a basic training package or a train-the-trainer package (recommended) as part of the system delivery plan. This training will include:

• System Maintenance inclusive of Pre- and Post-Drop Inspections
• System Rigging and Final Checks
• System Aircraft Installation and Final Checks
• Inflight Procedures and Emergency Drill
• Drop Zone Recovery Procedures and Post Drop Checks

Capewell can either provide spares quotations on request, or we offer a holistic Through-Life Support (TLS) capability where we would support the operating client on a regular basis as defined by a tailored TLS contract.  A TLS contract might include annual refresher training and the holding of spares against a defined and predicted usage rate.  In addition, Capewell could offer a service where any phase of the operational cycle (less aircraft operators) could be contracted out to on-site civilian experts.

All of the Capewell solutions derive from a common universal aerial delivery operating system (Type V Airdrop Platform), which is designed to accommodate incremental and innovative spiral upgrades to the payload requirement, over time.  Accordingly, Capewell will be able to support client upgrades to enable the integration of new payloads with the aerial delivery operating system or to transfer the capability to an alternative aircraft.

All of the Capewell solutions portrayed in the video derive from the NATO standard Type V Airdrop system.  Therein they utilize the standard G11, G12 and fleet of in-service qualified extractor parachutes.  Alternative national parachute canopies can be assessed on request.  We would encourage you to Contact an Expert via the portal on this website.

Each payload will be assessed by one of our experts for compatibility and potential modification requirements. We would encourage you to Contact an Expert via the portal on this website, and engage with our team on possible solutions.

Pricing for these solutions consist of a number of inputs, including the type of solution, final design specifications, size and weight of the vehicle/craft, potential vehicle/craft interface requirements, numbers/types of ancillary equipment required, training, and quantity of systems sought among many others.  We would encourage you to use the appropriate option to Request a Quote or Contact an Expert via the portals on this website.