Abstract: A disconnect assembly configured to disconnect a parachute of an aerial delivery apparatus from a payload includes a detector device, a disconnect device, and a transmit cable. The detector device is configured to detect that the aerial delivery apparatus has landed, the disconnect device is configured to provide a releasable connection between the parachute and the payload, and the transmit cable is configured to transmit a mechanical trigger force from the detector device to the disconnect device. When the detector device detects that the aerial delivery apparatus has landed, the transmit cable transmits a mechanical trigger force from the detector device to the disconnect device and the disconnect device releases the connection between the parachute and the payload.

Abstract: An aerial delivery platform comprises first and second modules (10a, 10b) each having a respective load-bearing surface (14). The modules (10a, 10b) are hinged together for relative flexing movement about an axis (24) between the modules (10a, 10b). A superstructure of interconnected struts (25, 26, 27, 28, 29) is connected to, and is upstanding from, the modules (10a, 10b) to hold the modules (10a, 10b) with the load bearing surfaces (14) co-planar when loaded and during descent but being elastically deformable to permit limited relative flexing movement between the modules (10a, 10b) under the loads applied by parachute opening and on landing to assist in the absorption the energy transferred to the platform.

Abstract: An airdrop platform comprises a load-carrying base (10) having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface includes attachment points (14) for one or more parachutes. The load-carrying base (10) is formed from a material, such as a glass fibre reinforced plastics material in the form of a grating, which is such as to flex to absorb energy on changes of the energy of the platform under the forces applied to the base (10) on parachute opening and on landing.