Parachute deployment system

Abstract

A parachute deployment system for use with an illuminating flare warhead propelled by a rocket motor. The system employs a compact two-stage parachute system which includes a main parachute arranged within a main parachute cover and a drogue parachute arranged within a drogue chute cover. The main parachute pack and the drogue parachute are configured to be positioned in a side-by-side, detached relationship within the warhead. An extraction line separably connects the drogue parachute pack to the rocket motor and a support line connects the drogue parachute pack to the main parachute pack such that upon separation of the rocket motor from the warhead, the drogue parachute pack is extracted from the warhead prior to extraction of the main parachute pack. Upon deployment of the drogue parachute, the drogue parachute cover remains attached to the extraction line and acts as a deflector, inducing radial forces which act upon the rocket motor to prevent it from colliding into the warhead.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.