proTeCTive faBriCS - TenCate

geoSynTheTiCS
Parachutes
Materials from TenCate Geosynthetics are also used in specific
military applications, such as geotextiles suitable for cargo
parachutes. High and low velocity parachutes are part of the US
Army’s low cost aerial delivery systems programme (LCADS). This
programme has cut costs by over 50% when compared to traditional
aerial deployment systems.
TenCate Geosynthetics initial foray into supplying parachute fabric
was in the high velocity canopy business. TenCate is listed as one of
the suppliers for high velocity webbing by the US Army Soldier
Systems Center (SSC), sometimes called Natick Army Labs.
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TENCATE SOLUTIONS
The success of these geotextile materials has been in the supply of
low velocity webbing to parachute manufacturers. The Low Cost,
Low Velocity (LCLV) parachutes are a one-time use, expendable
parachute system, which is a part of the LCADS programme.
The parachutes deliver mission-essential supplies such as gas,
ammunition and food to troops in rough terrain and isolated
locations. These airdrops lower the risk of IED attacks by taking
convoys off dangerous roads. The number of these cargo
deployments is on the rise.
With the expected increase in deployment, TenCate Geosynthetics is
ramping up the production of LCLV parachutes. The simple design
makes it easy to build and enables it to support the surge demands of
the US military. These cargo parachutes are manufactured with a
lightweight polypropylene webbing.