Abstract: An aerial cargo container is described that includes a cargo box with a plurality of hinged rotor blades having a stowed position against the sides of the box and a deployed position extending outwardly from the box, and a deceleration and orientation assembly to slow the descent of the container and align the longitudinal axis of the container with the relative wind direction, thereby minimizing damage to the blades upon opening. The assembly includes a drogue chute, a blade retainer to secure the blades in the stowed position, and a folded metering cord attached between the drogue chute and the box, and a segment securing the blade retainer, whereby the cord segments unfold sequentially upon exertion of a force to slow and orient the container, prior to release of the blade retainer to permit movement of the blades to their deployed positions.

Abstract: An aerial cargo container is described that includes a cargo box with a plurality of hinged rotor blades having a stowed position against the sides of the box and a deployed position extending outwardly from the box, and a deceleration and orientation assembly to slow the descent of the container and align the longitudinal axis of the container with the relative wind direction, thereby minimizing damage to the blades upon opening. The assembly includes a drogue chute, a blade retainer to secure the blades in the stowed position, and a folded metering cord attached between the drogue chute and the box, and a segment securing the blade retainer, whereby the cord segments unfold sequentially upon exertion of a force to slow and orient the container, prior to release of the blade retainer to permit movement of the blades to their deployed positions.

Abstract: An aerial cargo container system for transporting cargo from an aircraft to the ground having a cargo box with a continuous side wall with six rectangular side panels, and rotor blades having stowed positions against alternating box side panels and deployed positions extending outwardly from the box in a generally horizontal plane. Each blade may include a lower panel and an upper panel that has two triangular sections behind the leading edge that forms an aerodynamic camber. The blades are hinged to a rotor hub secured across the top of the box. The upward deployment of the blades is limited by tethers extending from the blades down to a tether attach frame secured across the bottom of the box. The box and blades are preferably formed of corrugated paper or plastic material. The entire unit rotates with the load to create aerodynamic braking and lower cargo to the ground with a minimum of energy being translated to the cargo on impact.