Some of you remember the new "BATWING" that allows a parachutist to actually glide to their destination. The carbon-fiber wing is rumored to be under extensive testing by U.S. Special Operations forces and could allow them to silently glide at very high speed into their target zone, in some cases over 120 miles- even while fully loaded with their gear. The wing has already been used by professional adventurers to glide over the English Channel, and appears to be stable enough to be used in other capacities.
News of the Batwing's testing, and potential use among Special Operations forces spread rapidly in the middle of 2006, before eventually fading out of discussion circles. Skydivers and professional adventurers, however, have been experimenting with variations on the Batwing theme, by using flaps of material on their arms and legs, to generate a similar "glide" effect. The wing-suits are so effective, and stable, that even BASE (Building Antenna Span and Earth) Jumpers have been using them to clear obstacles. BASE Jumpers leap off of bridges, sheer cliffs and other fixed objects, and must exercise caution to avoid collisions with the structures they leap from- unlike skydivers, who leap from aircraft or balloons. Although the carbon fiber wing is far more menacing in appearance, some aerial risk-takers are getting amazing results using mere silk and polyester!
This video shows a modified "Bat-suit" which allows the user to literally glide, before deploying his conventional parachute. It is amazing how far someone can use this suit to go. The actual carbon fiber wing must be even more impressive to see in action.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1rtxuIKnfo[/ame]
News of the Batwing's testing, and potential use among Special Operations forces spread rapidly in the middle of 2006, before eventually fading out of discussion circles. Skydivers and professional adventurers, however, have been experimenting with variations on the Batwing theme, by using flaps of material on their arms and legs, to generate a similar "glide" effect. The wing-suits are so effective, and stable, that even BASE (Building Antenna Span and Earth) Jumpers have been using them to clear obstacles. BASE Jumpers leap off of bridges, sheer cliffs and other fixed objects, and must exercise caution to avoid collisions with the structures they leap from- unlike skydivers, who leap from aircraft or balloons. Although the carbon fiber wing is far more menacing in appearance, some aerial risk-takers are getting amazing results using mere silk and polyester!
This video shows a modified "Bat-suit" which allows the user to literally glide, before deploying his conventional parachute. It is amazing how far someone can use this suit to go. The actual carbon fiber wing must be even more impressive to see in action.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1rtxuIKnfo[/ame]