Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!cbnews!cbnews!military
From: tohall@mars.lerc.nasa.gov (Dave Hall (Sverdrup))
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Fixed wing extraction
Message-ID: <1991Feb22.232923.4733@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 22 Feb 91 23:29:23 GMT
References: <1991Feb21.031546.12654@cbnews.att.com>
Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker)
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center
Lines: 38
Approved: military@att.att.com



From: tohall@mars.lerc.nasa.gov (Dave Hall (Sverdrup))
In article <1991Feb21.031546.12654@cbnews.att.com>, drn@pinet.aip.org (donald_newcomb) writes...
> 

|Some time back I heard or read about a technique for extracting someone
|(e.g. downed pilot) behind enemy lines using a fixed-wing aircraft. 


|I remember, and it sounds bizare, a plane like a C130 lets a _long_
|cable out the back. ...

|I know this sounds crazy but has anyone else ever heard of anything
|remotely like this?

    Sure, though I don't know the official name or DoD designation. The
system works by having the rescuee deploy a "weather balloon", which is
connected to his "parachute harness". The C-130 (or whatever) just snags 
the balloon and tether, then reels in the lucky rider. My understanding
is that the system was used during Vietnam to pluck people out of both
ocean and jungles.

     My old boss was retired USAF, and one of his jobs during the 60's
was to work on development of this thing. He said that he was "Master
of Ceremonies" during a demonstration on Guam for a bunch of the brass.
They used a department store mannequin for the "Rescuee". Supposedly, the
force imparted to the mannequin during pickup caused the arms and legs to
snap off and go flying in separate directions. My old boss suffered a
"Complete loss of military decorum" at this point (could not stop 
laughing for quite a while).  Eventually, the bugs
were worked out and it was deployed. 

    Anyone out there know if it is still in use? 



> 


Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com