The T-10 extended skirt parachute was standardized by the U.S. Government as a troop personnel parachute in the early 1950’s, and has been used successfully since that time with relatively few modifications.

T-10 Series Characteristics

  • Shape: Parabolic
  • Diameter (nominal): 35 feet (10.7m)
  • Inflated Diameter: 25.7 feet (7.8m)
  • Gore Material: 1.1 oz. PIA-C-7020, type I ripstop nylon parachute cloth
  • Vent Line Material: Type II nylon cord, PIA-C-5040 400lb (181.8kg) tensile strength
  • Number of Suspension Lines: 30
  • Suspension Line Material: Type II nylon cord, PIA-C-5040 400 lb (181.8 kg) tensile strength
  • Length of Suspension Line (connector link to lower lateral band): 25 ft. 6 in. (7.8m)
  • Maximum Weight Capacity: 360 lbs (163 kg)
  • Complete Assembly Weight: 31 lbs (14 kg)
  • Steerable: No
  • Maximum Jump Wind Speed: 15 mph (6.7 m/s)
  • Descent Rate: Avg. 22 ft/sec (6.7 m/s)
  • Minimum Deployment Altitude: 500 ft (152m)
  • Maximum Deployment Speed: 173 mph (150 knots)
  • Age Life: 16.5 years
  • Service Life: 12 years
  • NSN: 1670-00-591-0720
  • P/N: 11-1-564-1
  • Canopy: 11-1-1501
  • Pack: 62J4342D-
  • Bag: 56D6276
  • Static Line: 55D6481
  • Harness:11-1-2143-1
  • Riser:11-1-2149-2

Additional Information

In 1976, a major change was made to the basic canopy with the addition of:

  • Anti-inversion skirt netting (old Part Number 11-1-1501 – T-10B). This improved the reliability of an already very dependable parachute that many canopies already in service were retrofitted with the netting.

In 1986, the T-10B Canopy was further improved to new version T-10C, Part Number 11-1-1501-2. The Canopy was improved by:

  • Increasing the Pocket Band free length from 4” to 7-1/2” and decreasing the Pocket depth from 5” to 4-1/4”. This change reduced the opening shock by providing a slightly larger diameter at the skirt hem; providing a lower rate of descent and a “softer” landing. All T-10B Canopies in service have now been upgraded to the new Pocket Band length.

In 2006, all T-10C assemblies material color was changed to the new U.S. Army color Foliage Green #504. In addition, the Pack Assembly P/N 62J4342 was revised by adding one (1) each Static Line Stow Bar to each side of pre- sent webbing loops used for stowing the Static Line. These new Stow Bars are used for additional stows at the folded ends of 15’-5” yellow Static Line. A static line is attached through the break cord strap on inside of the bag under strap pocket and around deployment bag main strap or attached directly around the deployment bag main strap if the break strap is eliminated.

In 2000, the T-10D was introduced. The T-10D assembly incorporates a detachable deployment bag. The new bag includes:

  • 15’ Universal Static Line, P/N 11-1-6993-1; 5’ Extension Static Line, P/N 11-1-6993-2; and Snap, P/N 11-1-6991.

The universal static 15’ or 20’ static allows a soldier to be dropped from several different aircrafts.

The chest, back, and leg straps permit size adjustments. Each riser is 30 inches in length with the male fitting of the canopy release permanently attached.

All Canopy Assemblies are manufactured in strict accordance with Personal Parachute U.S. Military Specifications MIL-DTL-6645, MIL-DTL-7567 and MIL-STD-849, latest revisions.