MC-130J Commando 2 - MCADS
A MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 9th Special Operations Squadron (9th SOS) airdrops a boat over the Gulf Of Mexico via a Maritime Craft Aerial Delivery System (MCADS).
The MCADS is used by to airdrop boats, such as RIBs used by U.S. Navy Special Boat Teams, into the water by transport planes.
The MCADS consists of airdrop platforms onto which boats from 6.
5 to 12 meters in length are attached.
When the MCADS is launched from the rear ramp of a C-17A, C-130J or C5 cargo plane, a 25-foot drogue chute deploys and pulls the platform and payload out.
The boat and platform then seperate and float down under their own parachutes.
The boat's operators and passengers, e.
g.
SWCCs and SEALs, follow the MCADS out on their own parachutes, swim to and board the boat, which is immediatedly ready for use.
One of the advantages of the MCAD is that it allows boat teams to be deployed outside of the range of land-based sensors.
The global reach of aircraft such as the C-17A with 'boa t drop' qualified aircrew, combined with the MCADS, enables U.S. SOF to deploy to practically any point on the world's oceans.
The MCADS is built by Airborne Systems.
The system is in use with special operations forces of the United States, United Kingdom and France, among others.
In 2009 DEVGRU (SEAL Team 6) used such a system to deploy from an aircraft into the Indian Ocean as part of their mission to rescue Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates.
related video: DEVGRU + boat parachuting into action
