Airborne (1997) by Tom Clancy Read Free Book Online Page B

the next few years.
    As the paratroops of the United States enter the 21st century, they will do so with the same basic parachute they have used for over a generation. Though improved through four separate design upgrades, the Army’s classic T-10 canopy is still the same basic design that entered service back in 1958. Able to lower two fully equipped jumpers safely (in the event of a midair collision), the T-10M model is the state of the art in circular parachute design. Right now, the big news with regards to the T-10 system is the introduction of a new reserve parachute to replace the older model. The reason for the replacement was that the old-style reserve chute required the jumpers to self-deploy it with their hands. This included having to open and throw the reserve canopy away from their bodies to keep it from fouling. The new model is spring-loaded, so that the deployments will be both faster and more reliable. While it is already good (a reliability of something like 99.96 percent at last check), paratroopers will always tell you that there is room for improvement!

Lightweight Equipment
    So far, most of what I have shown you has to do with the delivery of paratroops and their gear to a crisis zone. This is the essence of airborne warfare, and most of the training and hard work go into getting to where you want to deploy. Without the proper equipment and trained personnel to operate it, though, dropping people and stuff onto a target defended by an enemy makes little sense. The problem is that transport aircraft can only carry so much in the way of troopers, equipment, and supplies. Just as importantly, all those things must fit inside the aircraft, and not weigh more than the plane can lift. Therefore, airborne forces around the world constantly strive to develop equipment and weapons that are lightweight and compact, with enough hitting or capability power to be effective in their given missions.
    The Germans were early leaders in airborne equipment. Their cultural mania for precision and function helped them produce some of the most interesting tools and weapons ever carried by paratroopers anywhere. This included lightweight mortars and machine guns, as well as small field and antitank guns. Their original paratrooper knife is still considered a classic among warriors around the world. The Germans even pioneered the use of lightweight shaped and demolition charges, which they employed with great effect during the assault on the Belgian fort at Eben Emael (May 1940). They also produced light tanks (as did the British) which could be carried by large gliders.
    As other countries started to develop their own airborne units, they too began to develop specialized equipment. America was no exception. Yankee ingenuity was quickly brought to bear, and results came rapidly to the battlefields of World War II. The Willys Jeep was undoubtedly the greatest American contribution. For the first time, airborne units had a level of mobility and hauling power once they were on the ground. 5 Small enough to be carried by a standard Waco or Horsa glider, the jeep could tow small pack howitzers or antitank guns, carry machine-gun and bazooka teams, or just allow a unit commander to rapidly move around the battlefield with his radio gear.

    A trooper from the 82nd Airborne Division stands watch near a fighting position during Operation Desert Shield in 1990. A brigade from the 82nd was the first American ground unit to enter Saudi Arabia following the invasion of Kuwait.
    OFFICIAL U.S. ARMY PHOTO
    The end of World War II brought the beginning of the nuclear age and the Cold War. The introduction of nuclear weapons to the battlefield gave many military leaders the feeling that infantry forces in general, and airborne forces in particular, might become obsolete. Other leaders saw new opportunities, though, and concepts for improving airborne firepower and equipment were quick in coming. Perhaps the most impressive of these were