United States Marine Corps Weapons & Equipment
Tandem Offset Resupply Delivery System (TORDS)
Primary function: Parachute delivery system.
Manufacturer: Relative Workshop, FL
Characteristics:
* Canopies (Main) Surface Area 421 sq. ft.
Structure 9 cells
Material F-111
* Canopies (Reserve) Surface Area 360 sq. ft.
Structure 9 cells
Material F-111
* Altitude Range 8,000 ft. AGL - 25,000 ft. MSL
* Deployment Velocity 0-130 KIAS
* Forward Speed 15 - 25 mph
* Rate of Descent - Full Flight 16 - 20 ft/sec.
- 50% brakes 10 - 16 ft/sec.
* Reliability 0.999
Unit Replacement Cost: Information not available.
Features: TORDS will provide reconnaissance communities with a parachute delivery system that can supply/resupply
reconnaissance teams with combat essential equipment or personnel. This system has a payload capacity in excess
of 500 pounds. The TORDS has a square main and reserve canopy. The canopies are manufactured from 1.1 ounce F-111
ripstop nylon fabric.
The deployable system for the reserve canopy incorporated a free-bag system which consists of a spring-loaded pilot
chute, a bridle, and a deployable bag. The reserve free-bag is not connected to the canopy and will be jettisoned
during deployment. The TORDS has a six-foot drogue parachute which is deployed to reduce the terminal velocity
of the tandem master and load (passenger/combat equipment) to approximately 120 miles per hour upon reaching opening
altitude. A ripcord is pulled to release the drogue which then acts as a pilot chute and deploys the main canopy.
The TORDS comes complete with a passenger harness and a combat equipment container.
Inventory:
Background: Marine Corps force reconnaissance teams use a variety of insertion methods to advance to their area
of operations. One of the primary methods of insertion involves the use of highly maneuverable square parachutes
for High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) parachute operations. The TORDS will satisfy the Marine Corps requirement
for a parachute delivery system that can be used to support this mission with an increased payload of combat essential
equipment or personnel.
Information and Photos Courtesy of United States Marine Corps
