Joint Precision Airdrop System

The function of this mission planning software includes computing release points, weather forecasting, acquiring measurements of wind velocity, altitude, air pressure, and temperature.

U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) was the primary developer for JPADS, which meets several requirements: increased ground accuracy, standoff delivery, increased air carrier survivability, and improved effectiveness/assessment feedback regarding airdrop mission operations.

The AGU contains a GPS, a battery pack, and the guidance, navigation and control (GN&C) software package.

This reduces both the risk of hostile fire to aircraft and aircrews and the amount of cargo that misses a drop zone.

Furthermore, achieving a high degree of accuracy (less than 100 yd (91 m)) requires the aircraft to fly at the lowest altitude possible, which can range from 400 ft (122 m) above ground level to as high as 1,500 ft (457 m), depending on the altitude of the drop zone, the weight of the load, and the number and type of parachutes required.

JPADs can achieve the same or better accuracy from greater heights, allowing the aircraft to drop the load at a much higher, and usually safer, altitude.

Illustration of how multiple airdrops with multiple drop zones, given they are within 25 miles of each other, can be accomplished at once using JPADS
Early JPADS equipment testing
An officer programs a JPADS bundle with drop coordinates in preparation for a resupply mission
JPADS bundle descends to its preprogramed drop zone over Afghanistan , circa 2006
A JPADS guided bundle lands right next to its programmed target, indicated by the orange marker