Apco Defence Industries specializes in paratrike solutions for both manned and unmanned platforms, leveraging decades of sports aviation expertise from Apco Aviation. Our R&D covers the main canopy (wing) of the trike as well as emergency parachute systems designed to protect crew, payload, and equipment.
There are two main paratrike styles:
For unmanned applications, steering control type is less important than payload capacity and performance requirements.
Apco uses Reflex Profile technology, which delivers a much higher level of stability and safety in the air, along with an increased speed range that cannot be achieved with a conventional parafoil or powered parachute.
High-performance wings with reflex profiles offer superior efficiency and speed but can be more challenging to launch and control. Simpler canopy designs are easier to operate but provide more modest performance.
Apco can engineer paratrike systems with either wide or narrow attachment point configurations to match the specific geometry and requirements of the UAV design.
A notable example is the SnowGoose – Unmanned Logistics Aerial Vehicle (ULAV), a field-proven paratrike-based platform for cargo and resupply missions in remote or hostile areas.
It is capable of autonomous or semi-autonomous operation and can be launched via a rolling takeoff from a moving vehicle or track system, enabling deployment without a prepared runway. This unique capability supports logistics operations from almost any location, including rugged and improvised sites.
