Gliding parachutes are a specialized type of deceleration parachute designed to improve performance by generating both drag and lift. By gliding through the air rather than simply descending, they reduce sink rate and extend horizontal travel, making them ideal for precision landing applications.
Also known as Rogallo-type parachutes, these are constructed from a single layer of high-strength technical fabric with no internal volume. While their glide ratio (L/D) is limited compared to advanced ram-air canopies, they offer the optimal balance between weight, packed volume, and descent rate. This makes them particularly effective for weight-sensitive platforms such as UAV recovery systems, precision cargo drops, and special forces deployment, where lightweight, low-bulk, and low-volume textile solutions are mission critical.
When compared to parachutes of equal flat surface area (flat surface meaning the canopy area when laid flat on the ground), well-designed gliding parachutes are typically 20–25% more efficient in reducing sink rate than round parachutes, and 10–15% more efficient than rectangular parachutes.
Apco Defence Industries designs and manufactures military-grade gliding parachutes to exacting ISO 9001 standards, using certified, combat-proven materials. Every system is fully traceable from raw material to final deployment, ensuring reliability in mission-critical defense operations.
