Eli5: How do they air drop heavy military vehicles and tanks using parachutes?

Question

Eli5: How do they air drop heavy military vehicles and tanks using parachutes?

In: Other

Answer 1

They use special aircraft with a very large door, usually at the back, and rollers on the floor. They attach a very large parachute or set of parachutes to the vehicle.

When the time comes, they release the floor locks and let a small drag chute called a “drogue” out the back. That catches the wind and hauls the vehicle out the back. The ripcord is attached to the aircraft so the main chute comes out when it exits.

After that…gravity and air drag.