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| Exit Weight Expert (lbs.) | Exit Weight Expert (kg) | Exit Weight Novice (lbs.) | Exit Weight Novice (kg) | Flat AR | Projected Span [m] | Projected Span [ft] | Center Chord [m] | Center Chord [ft] | Peak Force [lbf] | Volume cu. in. | Volume cu. in. pressure packed | Canopy weight [Kg] | Canopy weight [lbs] | Product Code | Sq. Ft. (size) |
| 120 | 55 | N/A | N/A | 2.9 | 4.04 | 13.2 | 1.65 | 5.4 | 3465 | 305.1 | 274.6 | 1.2 | 2.6 | ISR75 | 75 |
| 149 | 68 | N/A | N/A | 2.9 | 4.54 | 14.9 | 1.85 | 6.1 | 3465 | 386.5 | 347.8 | 1.5 | 3.3 | ISR95 | 95 |
| 171 | 78 | N/A | N/A | 2.9 | 5 | 16.4 | 2.04 | 6.7 | 3465 | 467.9 | 421.1 | 1.8 | 4 | ISR115 | 115 |
| 188 | 85 | 100 | 45 | 2.9 | 5.21 | 17.1 | 2.12 | 7 | 3465 | 508.5 | 457.7 | 2 | 4.3 | ISR125 | 125 |
| 225 | 102 | 125 | 57 | 2.9 | 5.71 | 18.7 | 2.33 | 7.6 | 3465 | 610.2 | 549.2 | 2.4 | 5.2 | ISR150 | 150 |
| 240 | 109 | 135 | 61 | 2.9 | 5.9 | 19.3 | 2.4 | 7.9 | 3465 | 650.9 | 585.8 | 2.5 | 5.5 | ISR160 | 160 |
| 254 | 115 | 155 | 70 | 2.9 | 6.25 | 20.5 | 2.55 | 8.4 | 3465 | 732.3 | 659.1 | 2.8 | 6.2 | ISR180 | 180 |
| 254 | 115 | 165 | 75 | 2.9 | 6.59 | 21.6 | 2.69 | 8.8 | 3465 | 813.7 | 732.3 | 3.1 | 6.9 | ISR200 | 200 |
| 254 | 115 | 185 | 84 | 2.9 | 6.99 | 22.9 | 2.85 | 9.4 | 3465 | 915.4 | 823.8 | 3.5 | 7.8 | ISR225 | 225 |
| 330 | 150 | 200 | 91 | 2.9 | 7.3 | 23.9 | 2.97 | 9.8 | 3800 | 996.7 | 897.1 | 3.8 | 8.4 | ISR245 | 245 |
| 330 | 150 | 225 | 100 | 2.9 | 7.59 | 24.9 | 3.09 | 10.2 | 3800 | 1078.1 | 970.3 | 4.2 | 9.1 | ISR265 | 265 |
| 330 | 150 | 220 | 100 | 2.9 | 8.07 | 26.5 | 3.29 | 10.8 | 3800 | 1220.5 | 1098.4 | 4.7 | 10.3 | ISR300 | 300 |
| 726 | 330 | 242 | 110 | 2.9 | 8.47 | 27.8 | 3.45 | 11.3 | 8712 | 1342.5 | 1208.3 | 5.2 | 11.4 | ISR330 | 330 |
| 792 | 360 | 264 | 120 | 2.9 | 8.84 | 29 | 3.61 | 11.8 | 9504 | 1464.6 | 1318.1 | 5.6 | 12.4 | ISR360 | 360 |
| 880 | 400 | 293 | 133 | 2.9 | 9.32 | 30.6 | 3.8 | 12.5 | 9680 | 1627.3 | 1464.6 | 6.3 | 13.8 | ISR400 | 400 |
| 1100 | 500 | 366 | 167 | 2.9 | 10.42 | 34.2 | 4.25 | 13.9 | 9900 | 2166.4 | 1678.2 | 6.8 | 14.9 | ISR500 | 500 |
| 2200 | 1000 | 733 | 333 | 2.9 | 14.74 | 48.4 | 6.01 | 19.7 | 15400 | 4332.7 | 3356.3 | 13.5 | 29.7 | ISR1000 | 1000 |
* Exit weight is certified Maximum
The maximum deployment speed always depends on the deployment altitude, payload weight, and the allowable opening shock that the payload can withstand.
For the maximum payload shown in the table, the recommended maximum deployment speed is 65 meters per second. The optimal deployment speed is approximately 40 meters per second.
For deployment speeds above 65 meters per second, a multi-stage deceleration system is required. In such cases, a drogue chute is first used to slow the payload to a lower speed. The system may then transition directly to the main ram-air parachute, or use a secondary drogue chute for additional deceleration before main-canopy deployment. This staged process continues until the payload reaches a safe speed range that allows the ram-air parachute to deploy properly and reliably.
Yes. The opening time of a ram-air parachute can be adjusted through several design and deployment parameters, including slider size and shape, slider control methods, bottom-surface valves, and packing technique.
These factors influence how quickly the canopy inflates and pressurizes. By selecting the right combination, the system can be optimized for reduced opening shock, controlled inflation, or faster deployment, depending on payload and mission needs.
Opening a ram-air parachute at speeds above 70 meters per second is possible, but it generally requires a reefed deployment configuration.
In this approach, several center cells of the parachute are temporarily closed or restrained during the initial stage of deployment. This reduces the effective surface area and initial span of the canopy, and also lowers the effective aspect ratio during first inflation. As a result, the parachute opens in a smaller and more controlled configuration, helping to reduce opening shock at higher speeds.
After the initial deceleration phase, the restrained cells can be released based on time, altitude, or another deployment trigger, allowing the canopy to expand to its full span and full surface area for additional deceleration and normal gliding performance.
This can be implemented as a single reefing stage or multiple reefing stages, depending on the mission profile, the initial deployment speed, and the allowable loads on the payload and parachute system.
Yes. Pack volume can often be reduced in several ways, depending on the mission requirements and deployment method.
The most direct approach is packing under pressure, which can significantly reduce volume. However, tighter packing may affect deployment time and usually requires an active deployment or extraction mechanism.
Additional methods for reducing volume include the use of lighter fabrics, lighter line materials, and optimized low-bulk construction techniques. These approaches can reduce both weight and pack volume while preserving the required aerodynamic and structural performance.
This is one of APCO Aviation’s core strengths. Drawing on experience from the paragliding and hike-and-fly market, where low weight and compact pack volume are critical, APCO has experience designing and manufacturing parachute systems with reduced bulk and lower overall mass.
Any volume-reduction approach must be developed together with the customer, based on the full mission profile, allowable loads, deployment conditions, and maximum structural demands expected during operation.
Yes. The ISR parachute is highly maneuverable, making it well suited for autonomous navigation and guided missions.
It can achieve a glide ratio of up to 4.5:1 and can also transition to a much steeper descent profile using a B-stall mechanism. This helps adjust the flight path more precisely and improve landing accuracy near the target point.
APCO Aviation has extensive experience in autonomous parachute systems and guided aerial delivery, and can apply this expertise to projects requiring precision navigation, controlled descent, and accurate target landing.
