High-Altitude Military Parachuting, otherwise known as Military Free Fall, is a method of delivering military personnel and equipment from aircraft at high altitudes via free-fall parachute insertion. One of two techniques can be used, which sometimes requires the use of oxygen bottles and extreme cold weather gear.
HALO - High Altitude Low Opening is a technique used to drop supplies, equipment and personnel at high altitudes where the aircraft can remain above the surface-to-air missile engagement range, eliminating the threat posed to the aircraft and load. This technique also minimizes the parachutists exposure to flak cannons. During this technique, the parachute canopy is deployed at low altitudes after free-falling for some time. The combination of high downward speed and minimal forward speed helps defeat radars and allows for a stealthy insertion.
HAHO - High Altitude High Opening is a technique used during covert insertions to drop personnel at high altitudes in areas where flying low would pose a threat to the jumpers, and the sound of parachutes opening at low altitudes could compromise the mission. This technique requires the operator to deploy his parachute shortly after jumping from the aircraft, using a compass, GPS and terrain features to navigate up to 50km before reaching the desired landing zone.
