The T-11 has seen a rate of 1.2 injuries every 1,000 jumps, while the T-10 averages three, according to Army data. The new design also results in 49 percent less landing force when soldiers hit the ground.
The T-11's three-phase deployment uses aids and a drogue parachute attached to a bridle line. There is no lift until jumpers are 275 feet from the aircraft, so two seconds must be added to the T-10's traditional four-second count. The larger canopy also provides a smoother rate of descent while accommodating more weight.
The T-10, which has been in service for more than 50 years, has a rate of descent of 22 to 24 feet per second and a maximum load of 360 pounds. The T-11's rate of descent is 18 feet per second, and it can hold up to 400 pounds.
The T-11's larger canopy catches more drift. Pulling a slip to avoid other jumpers is futile, and bagging the canopy on windy days can be challenging, jumpers told Army Times. But statistics show the T-11 is far safer than the T-10 if jumpers become entangled in the air.