GPS guided paracargo for firefighters

This autonomous paracargo system could come in handy for resupplying firefighters at night or during during smoky conditions.

From the BLM:

Thousands of pounds of supplies are delivered to firefighters each season. JPAD or Joint Position Air Drop allows smokejumpers to drop GPS-guided paracargo in low-visibility conditions.

This system is a fully autonomous GPS-guided military airdrop, using steerable parachutes and an onboard computer to steer paracargo to a precise location. Video courtesy of AFS fire personnel.

Paracargo delivery on the Mendocino National Forest

The BLM in Alaska defines paracargo:

Paracargo is the rigging, loading, and safe aerial delivery of a wide variety of supplies and equipment in support of wildland fire operations.

Most any supply or piece of fire equipment can and has been delivered by paracargo. Packages range from 10 to 1500 lbs in size and large orders are typically palletized for delivery. Typical delivered supplies include food, water, pumps, hose, chainsaws, 4-wheelers, zodiacs, and 55-gallon fuel drums.

Paracargo can deliver goods over long distances and is usually faster and more cost efficient than rotor aircraft. Close to 300,000 lbs. of cargo are delivered in a typical season with over 715,000 lbs. delivered in the busy 2009 season.

Paracargo, another method for delivering supplies to firefighters

Paracargo

ParacargoA McCall smokejumper stars in this video that promotes the concept of using paracargo to deliver supplies and equipment to wildland firefighters in very remote areas.

UPDATE March 18, 2013: Since we first posted the NIFC Paracargo video on March 15, the BLM at NIFC has removed it from YouTube twice and replaced it. Below we have embedded it for the third time. If later you see below “This video has been removed”, it will mean that the BLM at NIFC has removed it a third time.