Comparing the New T-11 Parchutes to the Old T-10s

The original fielding and use of the Army's new T-11, square-shaped canopy parachute project began in July 2010, but since the first death last June, everything was put on standby.

The entire Division is expected to be jumping the T-11's this year though. The units have not all been certified on the new parachute yet but soon will be.

Last week the senior leadership of Fort Bragg underwent training and completed their first jump on the new parachutes.

The Army's new T-11 parachute is a square-shaped canopy, rather than the traditional round-shaped parachutes.

The new shape is supposed to reduce injuries by creating a slower, more controlled descent.

For new Army soldiers in Airborne school, they are using them now and will 'grow up' with them.

Most paratroopers at Fort Bragg will take a one day refresher training course for harness training.

Eventually all Airborne Brigades throughout the Army will be fielded this new tactical parachute according to Lt. Gen. Frank G. Helmick. 

"There is very little opening shock and a very controlled rate of descent", said Helmick. "It was a very comfortable landing, this parachute seems more responsive."

Number Crunchers

Two Air Drop Data Analyst contractors funded through the Defense Safety Oversight Council (DSOC), were on hand for last week's jump to collect data for each T-11 parachute jump.

"It will reduce injury rates by 20%, but there was never any scientific data collected for it",  said Shawn Rankin, the former G3 Air for the 82nd Airborne Division. " Basically, we gather all the data for DSOC for a year and a half."

Stanley Proctor was a rigger at Fort Bragg for 24 years. He knows all the specifics about parachutes and their design for optimal performance.

According to Proctor the new chutes take longer to pack because of the safety constraints. He explained that there are now 12 rigger checks versus 7 along with more component due to the increased size of the canopy.

Fact Comparisons

Main canopy surface area

T10: 1,300 sf

T11: 1,670 sf, a 28% increase

Main canopy inflated diameter

T10: 26.9 sf

T11: 30.6 sf, a 14% increase

Weight of main/reserve

T10: 31 lb/14 lb = 45 lbs

T11: 37 lb/15 lb = 52 lbs, a 7 lb increase