The US Air Force is now seeking suppliers for a "counter ultra light aircraft/paratrooper system" (CULAPS, for short). According to the solicitation, here's the basic idea:
The CULAPS system is envisaged as a lightweight net aimed and fired from the ground that envelopes the target and thereby removes the target's lift bringing it to the ground. The system should be lightweight (man/vehicle portable) and have an effective vertical range of greater than 500 feet. An attribute of the system should include the potential for linking the firing system to a sensor system for automated remote operation.If you are an interested supplier -- or if you are, say, Spiderman -- you have until 20 February to submit your response.
on January 21, 2009 6:59 PM | Reply
Pardon me,
But if I fire a net that removes lift from a paratrooper from 500 feet AGL by collapsing his canopy, how is this non-lethal?
on January 21, 2009 7:17 PM | Reply
I asked myself this same question. Of course, Spiderman has the power, if I'm not mistaken, to lower such an object gently to the ground.
on January 21, 2009 7:26 PM | Reply
Is netting paratroopers with a man portable networked system something the air force really needs to be thinking about when it's scrambling for money? You'd think that the people dedicated to capturing paratroopers in mid-air could be used someplace else.
on January 23, 2009 4:16 AM | Reply
Gawd, This makes my head hurt. "Collapsing lift" would most likely cause the paratrooper to fall to the ground and probably be wounded/crippled, not killed, how's that for a headline? Air Force develops weapon to cripple enemies!
Bottom line, if I'm responsible for defending Air Base X and "paratroopers" or ultra-lights are flying over my base, say hello to my little/big friends and at minimum, eat some Ma Duece justice.
Ask Frank Luke how he'd have dealt with this.