British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Blackleaf

#1Jun 6th, 2006

Special forces to use strap-on 'stealth wings'
By MATTHEW HICKLEY, Daily Mail

6th June 2006

An expert demonstrates the lightweight carbon fibre mono-wings

Elite special forces troops being dropped behind enemy lines on covert missions are to ditch their traditional parachutes in favour of strap-on stealth wings.

The lightweight carbon fibre mono-wings will allow them to jump from high altitudes and then glide 120 miles or more before landing - making them almost impossible to spot, as their aircraft can avoid flying anywhere near the target.

The technology was demonstrated in spectacular fashion three years ago when Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner - a pioneer of freefall gliding - famously 'flew' across the English Channel, leaping out of an aircraft 30,000ft above Dover and landing safely near Calais 12 minutes later.

Wearing an aerodynamic suit, and with a 6ft wide wing strapped to his back, he soared across the sea at 220mph, moving six feet forward through the air for every one foot he fell vertically - and opened his parachute 1,000ft above the ground before landing safely.

'Massive potential'

Now military scientists have realised the massive potential for secret military missions.

Currently special forces such as the SAS rely on a variety of parachute techniques to land behind enemy lines - or else they must be dropped by helicopter.

Existing steerable square parachutes can be used - opened at high altitude of 27,000 ft - but jumpers then have to struggle to control them for long periods, often in high winds and extreme cold, while breathing from an oxygen tank to stay alive.

Alternatively they can freefall from high altitude, opening their parachutes at the last possible minute, but that limits the distance they can 'glide' forward from the drop point to just a few miles.

Now German company ESG has developed the strap-on rigid wing specifically for special forces use.

Resembling a 6ft-wide pair of aircraft wings, the devices should allow a parachutist to glide up to 120miles, carrying 200lb of equipment, the manufacturers claim.

Fitted with oxygen supply, stabilisation and navigation aides, troops wearing the wings will jump from a high-altitude transport aircraft which can stay far away from enemy territory - or on secret peacetime missions could avoid detection or suspicion by staying close to commercial airliner flight paths.

The manufacturers claim the ESG wing is '100 per cent silent' and 'extremely difficult' to track using radar.

Once close to their target landing zone, the troops pull their parachute rip cord to open their canopy and then land normally.

Weapons, ammunition, food and water can all be stowed inside the wing, although concealing the 6ft wings after landing could prove harder than burying a traditional parachute.

ESG claims the next stage of development will be fitting 'small turbo-jet drives' to the wings to extend range even further.

According to SAS insiders, very few operational parachute jumps have taken place in recent years, with teams tending to rely more on helicopters or other means of transport.

Supporters of the new mono-wing technology hope it will give a new lease of life to parachute tactics in the special forces world.

The Ministry of Defence would not comment on any equipment used by special forces, but is expected to evaluate the new system for use by UK special forces.

dailymail.co.uk

DurkaDurka

No Party Affiliation

RE: British special force

Jun 6th, 2006

We could use these "stealth wings" to replace the crash prone Sea King fleet.

FiveParadox

Liberal

RE: Stealth Wings

Jun 6th, 2006

I think those things look cool.

It would be neat if the Canadian Forces had something as such to use, but I doubt that these "wings" would be much of a priority at the moment. Nonetheless, this equipment looks quite promising indeed.

aeon

Re: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 6th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by Blackleaf

Special forces to use strap-on 'stealth wings'
By MATTHEW HICKLEY, Daily Mail

6th June 2006

dailymail.co.uk

And who cares about those stupidity??

DurkaDurka

No Party Affiliation

Re: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 6th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by aeon

Quote: Originally Posted by Blackleaf
Special forces to use strap-on 'stealth wings'
By MATTHEW HICKLEY, Daily Mail

6th June 2006

dailymail.co.uk

And who cares about those stupidity??

You should try gliding... minus the wings.

Jay

Re: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 6th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by aeon

Quote: Originally Posted by Blackleaf
Special forces to use strap-on 'stealth wings'
By MATTHEW HICKLEY, Daily Mail

6th June 2006

dailymail.co.uk

And who cares about those stupidity??

I do and it isn't stupid in the least.

aeon

Re: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 6th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by Jay

I do and it isn't stupid in the least.

No doubt you find this interesting.

Jay

RE: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 6th, 2006

And no doubt you find it "stupid".

Blackleaf

Re: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 7th, 2006

Special forces to use strap-on 'Batwings'
By MATTHEW HICKLEY, Daily Mail

6th June 2006

How the stealth wings work

Elite special forces troops being dropped behind enemy lines on covert missions are to ditch their traditional parachutes in favour of strap-on stealth wings.

The lightweight carbon fibre mono-wings will allow them to jump from high altitudes and then glide 120 miles or more before landing - making them almost impossible to spot, as their aircraft can avoid flying anywhere near the target.

The technology was demonstrated in spectacular fashion three years ago when Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner - a pioneer of freefall gliding - famously 'flew' across the English Channel, leaping out of an aircraft 30,000ft above Dover and landing safely near Calais 12 minutes later.

Wearing an aerodynamic suit, and with a 6ft wide wing strapped to his back, he soared across the sea at 220mph, moving six feet forward through the air for every one foot he fell vertically - and opened his parachute 1,000ft above the ground before landing safely.

'Massive potential'

Now military scientists have realised the massive potential for secret military missions.

Currently special forces such as the SAS rely on a variety of parachute techniques to land behind enemy lines - or else they must be dropped by helicopter.

Existing steerable square parachutes can be used - opened at high altitude of 27,000 ft - but jumpers then have to struggle to control them for long periods, often in high winds and extreme cold, while breathing from an oxygen tank to stay alive.

Alternatively they can freefall from high altitude, opening their parachutes at the last possible minute, but that limits the distance they can 'glide' forward from the drop point to just a few miles.

Now German company ESG has developed the strap-on rigid wing specifically for special forces use.

Resembling a 6ft-wide pair of aircraft wings, the devices should allow a parachutist to glide up to 120miles, carrying 200lb of equipment, the manufacturers claim.

Fitted with oxygen supply, stabilisation and navigation aides, troops wearing the wings will jump from a high-altitude transport aircraft which can stay far away from enemy territory - or on secret peacetime missions could avoid detection or suspicion by staying close to commercial airliner flight paths.

The manufacturers claim the ESG wing is '100 per cent silent' and 'extremely difficult' to track using radar.

Once close to their target landing zone, the troops pull their parachute rip cord to open their canopy and then land normally.

Weapons, ammunition, food and water can all be stowed inside the wing, although concealing the 6ft wings after landing could prove harder than burying a traditional parachute.

ESG claims the next stage of development will be fitting 'small turbo-jet drives' to the wings to extend range even further.

According to SAS insiders, very few operational parachute jumps have taken place in recent years, with teams tending to rely more on helicopters or other means of transport.

Supporters of the new mono-wing technology hope it will give a new lease of life to parachute tactics in the special forces world.

The Ministry of Defence would not comment on any equipment used by special forces, but is expected to evaluate the new system for use by UK special forces.

dailymail.co.uk

Blackleaf

#10

Re: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 7th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by aeon

Quote: Originally Posted by Blackleaf
Special forces to use strap-on 'stealth wings'
By MATTHEW HICKLEY, Daily Mail

6th June 2006

dailymail.co.uk

And who cares about those stupidity??

As a Frenchman, you'd use them to fly AWAY from the enemy.

DurkaDurka

No Party Affiliation

#11

Re: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 7th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by Blackleaf

Quote: Originally Posted by aeon
Quote: Originally Posted by Blackleaf
Special forces to use strap-on 'stealth wings'
By MATTHEW HICKLEY, Daily Mail

6th June 2006

dailymail.co.uk

And who cares about those stupidity??
As a Frenchman, you'd use them to fly AWAY from the enemy.

I can't think of any way to refute that statement.

Mogz

Conservative

#12

RE: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 7th, 2006

The Stealth Wings are an excellent idea. Believe it or not, parachute born infantry show up easily on radar. The only other alternative (until now) was a High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) jump, in which troops would jump in free-fall format, breathing oxygen, and open their chute extremely close to the ground. This type of jump was dangerous, troops often cracked their heads open on their oxygen tanks after deploying their chutes, or deployed their chutes too late and thundered in to the ground. With the wings, you get the best of both worlds. Excellent stealth ability, and a better means to deploying than HALO. Excellent technology in my opinion.

I think not

#13

Re: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 7th, 2006

He looks like a Royal Power Ranger.

dekhqonbacha

#14

RE: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 7th, 2006

Geez.
Hollywood has an impact on every sector of life.
"Batman" vs Batwings.

I read in newspaper that in Grace someone forced the pilot of helicopter to land in prison and escape 2 men. The autor says, it's like in Hollywood.

Many Hollywood give an inspiration, or it steals the ideas before their birth.

aeon

#15

Re: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 8th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by Blackleaf

Quote: Originally Posted by aeon
Quote: Originally Posted by Blackleaf
Special forces to use strap-on 'stealth wings'
By MATTHEW HICKLEY, Daily Mail

6th June 2006

dailymail.co.uk

And who cares about those stupidity??
As a Frenchman, you'd use them to fly AWAY from the enemy.

The only ennemy i have in this world, is guys like you,you know those sheep and coward who hide themselve behind big empire, and let me tell you, , i ll be the most happiest man in the world, to say it right on your face.

I think not

#16

Re: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 8th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by aeon

The only ennemy i have in this world, is guys like you,you know those sheep and coward who hide themselve behind big empire, and let me tell you, , i ll be the most happiest man in the world, to say it right on your face.

You'll have to forgive him aeon, some Brits think the hundred year war hasn't ended.

aeon

#17

Re: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 8th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by I think not

Quote: Originally Posted by aeon
The only ennemy i have in this world, is guys like you,you know those sheep and coward who hide themselve behind big empire, and let me tell you, , i ll be the most happiest man in the world, to say it right on your face.
You'll have to forgive him aeon, some Brits think the hundred year war hasn't ended.

lol, well i can see that.

Mogz

Conservative

#18

Re: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 8th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by I think not

Quote: Originally Posted by aeon
The only ennemy i have in this world, is guys like you,you know those sheep and coward who hide themselve behind big empire, and let me tell you, , i ll be the most happiest man in the world, to say it right on your face.
You'll have to forgive him aeon, some Brits think the hundred year war hasn't ended.

Actually, forget the 100 year war, lets talk more recent. The French have a nasty habit of being utter cowards (by and large). World War I, World War II, Korea. And not only true French, even French-Canadians carry that stigma, and for just cause too. Look at how they acted during World War II. Anyway, this is utterly off topic from the thread so yeah. Moving on.

Finder

#19

Re: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 8th, 2006

this is a joke right?

missile

Conservative

#20

Re: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 8th, 2006

Just imagine the Rush you'd get from using these things

And..even better,they pay you to have fun. My biggest regret was being turned down by the Canadian Navy[I'm part French & I wanted to enlist]

dekhqonbacha

#21

Re: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 8th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by Mogz

Quote: Originally Posted by I think not
Quote: Originally Posted by aeon
The only ennemy i have in this world, is guys like you,you know those sheep and coward who hide themselve behind big empire, and let me tell you, , i ll be the most happiest man in the world, to say it right on your face.
You'll have to forgive him aeon, some Brits think the hundred year war hasn't ended.
Actually, forget the 100 year war, lets talk more recent. The French have a nasty habit of being utter cowards (by and large). World War I, World War II, Korea.
...
Look at how they acted during World War II. Anyway, this is utterly off topic from the thread so yeah. Moving on.

Tell us how they acted.

Mogz

Conservative

#22

RE: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 8th, 2006

Gladly. During the entire course of World War II (1939-1945), the French-Canadians, by and large, utterly failed to do their part. I just want to point out that this stigma doesn't apply to ALL French-Canadians, in fact many did answer the call and worked very hard for this nation, yet they are, sadly, the exception not the rule. In 1944, the 1st Canadian Army, fighting in North-Western Europe was running short of men. They were simply losing men faster than reserve arrived. An investigation was conducted as to why manpower wasn't flowing. Initially it was assumed that there simply weren't enough men left in Canada (by 1944 over 1 million Canadians out of a population of less than 12 million were in uniform). However, the investigation found two disturbing facts.

The first being that the VAST majority of eligable males (17-40) not currently serving in the military, were French-Canadian.

Secondly, a large amount of French-Canadians who had enrolled in the military, were part of a group of men who refused overseas service. This group was initially formed in 1940, under the National Resource Mobilization Act, as a Home Defense Force. It also called for conscription during a crisis, however the Home Defense Force was not to be used overseas. It was to consist of older men unfit for overseas service. However, through politcal manuvering, Henri Bourassa made it possible for anyone to join this defensive unit. French-Canadians enrolled enmass so as not to have to serve overseas. When the investigation looked at the defense force, they found that it was chalk full of men in their early 20s. To make matters worse, there were almost all, to a man, French-Canadian. While their English (and some French) compatriots were off fighting and dying in Europe, they sat in Montreal, or Quebec City, drank, partied, and womanized, all the while wearing the uniform of the Canadian Army. This force, numbered more than 15,000 men. As a result of their utter inactivity for the war, they were dubbed the "zombies".

By the end of 1944, the 1st Canadian Army, especially the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division and the 5th Canadian Armored Division, were badly in need of men, especially after losing literally thousands during the Battle of the Scheldt. Prime Minister MacKenzie King, in early 1945, ordered the mobilization of some 13,000 zombies for overseas service, in direct contradiction to the formation of the Home Defense Force under the NRMA. He was hassled every step of the way, and in the end, only 2,400 or so of the zombies actually were sent overseas.

A point I should make, is that the frontline troops, fighting and dying miles from home, resented the zombies greatly. Their take on the situation, was the same as mine. How could man call themselves soldiers, yet sit in lavish comfort at home, while the true soldiers were out doing their jobs?

The point to all this, is that the majority of French-Canadians utterly failed to step up and serve their Country. Many have argued that they didn't feel like serving England, and that it was Englands war. My retort to that; wasn't France utterly occupied? Or did they only care about "being French" so long as it didn't require any work from them? In short, the French-Canadians of the 40's were an utter disgrace to the Candian Army, Canada, and the Allies. Even while their paternal nation (France) was living under the NAZI jackboot, they did nothing.

P.S. To shut down any "Mogz is anti-French" posts; my Mother is French-Canadian, and my Grandfather on her side enlisted in 1940 with the Royal 22nd Regiment, the VanDoos, an all French-Canadian Regiment. He fought through Italy and Europe. He did his part, why couldn't others?

dekhqonbacha

#23

RE: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 8th, 2006

Mogz
very good points. I never heard about them. You must know a lot.

But, please, provide a trustful source so that we could know that you are not saying your own personal opinion.

I said "trustful source," please.

dekhqonbacha

#24

RE: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 9th, 2006

Mogz???

Mogz

Conservative

#25

RE: British special force

Jun 11th, 2006

My "trustful source" is the 2 years I spent studying 20th Century Military History at College. I don't have to provide you anything. If you doubt me, go ahead and research it youself, i'm sure you can find a wealth of information on the NRMA, the "zombies", Henri Bourassa, and the French-Canadian recruitment crisis of 1944/45. I only post on issues i'm informed on. If that's not good enough for you, I really don't care. You asked me for information, I delievered it, if you don't like it, that's your problem, not mine.

missile

Conservative

#26

Re: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 11th, 2006

Knowing this since childhood was part of my personal anti French bias,and it has always made me ashamed to be from French Heritage. I could never get my head around the fact that the mother country was overrun and that they collaborated with the enemy.

dekhqonbacha

#27

Re: RE: British special force

Jun 11th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by Mogz

My "trustful source" is the 2 years I spent studying 20th Century Military History at College. I don't have to provide you anything. If you doubt me, go ahead and research it youself, i'm sure you can find a wealth of information on the NRMA, the "zombies", Henri Bourassa, and the French-Canadian recruitment crisis of 1944/45. I only post on issues i'm informed on. If that's not good enough for you, I really don't care. You asked me for information, I delievered it, if you don't like it, that's your problem, not mine.

What you were thought does not matter. What is written on a page of history that matters, even though this is not the right one, but we have to accept whatever is written.

Saying that Harper killed 4 persons. That's what I was thought, if you don't believe it's your problem. It doesn't work that way.

If you post a suspecious thing you have to provide source. Whatever is common, no need the source because we would know what the person is talking his/her opinion. If his/her opinion is wrong, then I don't care. But your post about French-Canadian's participation on the WWII is very sucpecious. You need to make us sure with the trustfull sources.

Otherwise, Canada is third world country, if you don't believe I don't care. US's president is brother-in-law of Tony Blair, if you don't believe I don't care. Canadians are murders, if you don't believe I don't care.

It doesn't work this way.

It works this way only in spacial forums, where no one believe anyone else. And no one cares about anyone else. But not here.

Mogz

Conservative

#28

RE: British special force

Jun 11th, 2006

I do believe I said:

Quote:

You asked me for information, I delievered it, if you don't like it, that's your problem, not mine.

You asked me for a historical take on French-Canadians of 1939-1945, I provided it. It's not my fault you're utterly uninformed on the history of this nation, and our involvment in global affairs. How do you propose I provide you a "trustful source" on these issues? Much of my knowledge is gleaned from years spent studying the history of this planet and warfare for a 100 year span. Also it should be pointed out that this information is not one topic, they're a multitude of issues that arouse during World War II, and all happen to be intertwined. Do you honestly expect me to spend hours searching the internet for articles and accounts of the NRMA, the conscription issues, the French-Canadian lack of involvment in World War II, etc, etc, just to provide a "trustful source" for you? Frankly buddy, I have neither the time nor inclination to cater to your own ignorance. If you really doubt what I wrote, by all means do your own research. We live in the information age, and i'm sure you're bright enough to type a few words in to google. Just a word of caution however, the article about the Conscription Crisis of 1944 on wikipedia is largely misleading and/or incorrect (just some FYI). Anyway, that's all i'm saying on this issue. I do suggest that the next time you ask someone for input on an issue, you be prepared for the answer. If you don't like what you hear/read, the obligation then falls on you to look in to what was said, not the person who took their time out to provide the information. A great "trustful source" to start at dekhqonbacha would be the Canadian National War Archives in Ottawa. I know firsthand that place has a wealth of knowledge on the NRMA and the "zombies". So if you're such a skeptic, take a road trip. To reiterate my stance on this; I really don't care.

P.S. I suggest English lessons.

dekhqonbacha

#29

RE: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings.

Jun 11th, 2006

If you provide an information and it cannot be backed up, it is not true. No matter how many years you spend studing this subject.

You will look at things from you point of view. The same page of history is understood differently by different people. Whom should we beleive? Only to thouse who provide the source. Not to thouse who think they spend years studing that subject and they are right.

You are telling incredible thing about French-Canadians during WWII, you should have the proof, not me. I don't need to do researching the thing that I don't know if it exists.

We would beleive what you said, if and only if there is a proof for what you said.

dekhqonbacha

#30

Re: RE: British special forces to use strap-on stealth wings

Jun 11th, 2006

otherwise this whole thing is untrue.

I suspect this is what you think; and what you beleive had happened. Not what historians beleive had happened.

Quote: Originally Posted by Mogz

Gladly. During the entire course of World War II (1939-1945), the French-Canadians, by and large, utterly failed to do their part. I just want to point out that this stigma doesn't apply to ALL French-Canadians, in fact many did answer the call and worked very hard for this nation, yet they are, sadly, the exception not the rule. In 1944, the 1st Canadian Army, fighting in North-Western Europe was running short of men. They were simply losing men faster than reserve arrived. An investigation was conducted as to why manpower wasn't flowing. Initially it was assumed that there simply weren't enough men left in Canada (by 1944 over 1 million Canadians out of a population of less than 12 million were in uniform). However, the investigation found two disturbing facts.
The first being that the VAST majority of eligable males (17-40) not currently serving in the military, were French-Canadian.
Secondly, a large amount of French-Canadians who had enrolled in the military, were part of a group of men who refused overseas service. This group was initially formed in 1940, under the National Resource Mobilization Act, as a Home Defense Force. It also called for conscription during a crisis, however the Home Defense Force was not to be used overseas. It was to consist of older men unfit for overseas service. However, through politcal manuvering, Henri Bourassa made it possible for anyone to join this defensive unit. French-Canadians enrolled...
Quote has been trimmed

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