AFI 11-2C-130v3 - BITS

AFI11-2C-130V3 23 APRIL 2012 243
19.15.4.1.5. JMD releases will not be mixed with any other type of airdrop method,
i.e., GMRS, VIRS, or standard CARP drops. If JMD drop procedures are called for,
the crew will follow the jumpmaster‘s instructions, while adhering to normal safety
concerns. Should the crew believe the drop will occur outside of safe parameters, they
will call ―no drop‖ and ensure the red light is illuminated.
19.15.5. AWADS Airdrops. AWADS-equipped units are authorized to make airdrops using
AWADS equipment in VMC or IMC.
19.15.6. Radar Beacon Airdrops. Radar beacon drops in IMC during peacetime must be
approved by MAJCOM/A3/DO for active duty units and either HQ AFRC/A3 or ANG/A3
for AFRC/ANG units. The AOC/AMD may approve IMC radar beacon airdrops for
exercises or for contingency and combat operations.
19.15.7. I-CDS / JPADS Procedures
19.15.7.1. I-CDS and JPADS airdrop operations are conducted using the JPADS Mission
Support Equipment (MSE) (UHF Dropsonde Receiver Subsystem (UHF-DRS), GPS
Retransmit System (GPS-RTS), Precision Aerial Delivery System Mission Planner
(PADS-MP) laptop and software. I-CDS operations are conventional ballistic CDS
airdrops with non-steerable chutes using the JPADS MSE, PADS-MP, and Dropsondes to
calculate an improved CARP. JPADS operations are conducted using steerable chutes
with Autonomous Guidance Units (AGUs).
19.15.7.2. Airdrop Damage Estimate (ADE): Units must perform a full airdrop damage
assessment prior to CDS/I-CDS/JPADS airdrops. The ADE must be coordinated and
approved by the area controlling agency. Coordinate with the owning agency of the
restricted airspace or controlled airspace and landowners with property surrounding the
DZ for all CDS/I-CDS/JPADS operations. Examine the area in the vicinity of the DZ for
potential damage or hazards in the course of normal operations or during extraordinary
system failure events. If the ADE demonstrates potential damage or hazards restrict the
airdrop release Launch Acceptability Region (LAR); lower the drop altitude, change the
run-in, change parachute type or cancel airdrop operations. Inform the controlling unit of
the risk to their operations; the controlling unit, and the JFC designated agency are
approving authorities for risk to the area surrounding the DZ. Intelligence personnel are
responsible for providing the JFC-designated agency close-up and overview imagery to
facilitate ADE. For actual JPADS training airdrops, units will contact AMC/A3DT (2-3
weeks prior) in order to ensure all planning, coordination and reviews/assessments have
been accomplished. Operations conducted at Yuma Proving Ground under JPADS
related test plans do not need AMC/A3DT review. See AFI 13-217 for further
information. The ADE must include, at a minimum, a review of the airspace and ground
space with respect to: CARP and LAR location, 63% 1-sigma I-CDS success ellipse,
Chute failure footprint and Guidance failure footprint.
19.15.7.3. The PO or mission planner is required to provide JPADS-MP derived
CARP(s) for each airdrop pass and a completed ADE prior to airdrop mission execution.
Both pilots will review preflight CARP(s) and ADE for each respective airdrop. During
the cargo door Dropsonde release, use of zero flaps at speeds between 170 – 180 KIAS is
required to preclude Dropsonde tail strikes. Loadmasters will open the cargo door for the
Dropsonde airdrops. Loadmasters will release the Dropsondes from the corner of the