The Gryphon Attack Glider

Filed in archive Fun Stuff on April 25, 2008

I'm Batman

A new form of air-based combat support is about to hit the ground running, so to speak. The Gryphon Attack Glider, at only 30 pounds, can carry up to 100 pounds of munitions, and can zoom out of the sky into battle fields at a blistering 135 MPH. That's pretty fast considering YOU are the fuselage. Its helmet has a heads-up display and provides on-board oxygen for jumps as high as 35,000 feet.

Currently, planes and pilots are put at risk because soldiers need to jump close to combat areas. Typical high altitude, high-opening, or HAHO, jumps from around 27,000 feet allow soldiers to travel only about 30 miles after exiting the aircraft.

The Gryphon could increase that range fourfold, creating an attack corridor of nearly 125 miles. Unaffected by headwinds or crosswinds because of its favorable lift-to-drag ratio, the glider would allow elite units to reach targets with increased speed, precision and stealth.

Who knows, there might be a commercial application some time in the near future.