US Has Received Cargo Gliders to Deliver Supplies to Dangerous Areas

The US Air Force has begun using gliders to deliver supplies to areas with high air defense activity.

This was reported by The Aviationist.

The Air Force has received several dozen of these gliders, which will potentially replace manned aircraft for delivering supplies to dangerous areas.

Grasshopper is a disposable glider capable of carrying about 227 kg of cargo.

It is launched from transport aircraft such as the C-17 or C-130 via a rear ramp. After release, the glider flies autonomously for tens of kilometers, depending on the release altitude, reaching speeds of up to 175 km/h.

In the final phase of flight, it uses a parachute to land accurately near the target.

These gliders were developed by DZYNE Technologies in collaboration with the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The main advantage of Grasshopper is its ability to safely deliver cargo to areas inaccessible to traditional aircraft at minimal cost.

The cost of one aircraft is about $40,000, making it a cost-effective solution for single use.

In addition to military operations, gliders can be used for humanitarian aid and disaster relief, ensuring the rapid delivery of critical resources.

Development of the Grasshopper began in November 2020, and the first tests took place in October 2021 at the Dugway Proving Ground in Utah.

The US Air Force has received several dozen Grasshopper gliders and plans further deliveries. In response to requests for increased flight range, a new version called Dragonfly is being developed and is expected to enter service in early 2026.

Earlier, Militarnyi reported that the US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) was seeking to integrate small cruise missiles onto MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles.