How much better is a gliding parachute than a round canopy?

At equal flat surface area a well-designed gliding parachute is typically 20 to 25 per cent more efficient at reducing sink rate than a round canopy, and 10 to 15 per cent more efficient than a rectangular one. The gain comes from generating drag and lift at the same time. Flare capability just before touchdown also reduces impact.

What are gliding parachutes particularly suited to?

Weight-sensitive platforms. They are built from a single layer of fabric with no internal volume. Their glide ratio is limited compared with advanced ram-air canopies, but they offer low weight and packed volume for the required descent rate. Steerable designs also navigate precisely to the desired touchdown point, even in challenging wind conditions.

Product · precision landing

Gliding parachutes

Gliding parachutes generate drag and lift at once: they sink more slowly and travel horizontally instead of simply descending.

Line drawing of an arched gliding canopy seen from behind, its gores tapering to a point below

Construction

Gliding parachutes are a specialised type of deceleration parachute. By gliding through the air rather than simply descending, they reduce sink rate and extend horizontal travel, allowing use in precision landing applications.

Gliding parachutes — also known as Rogallo-type parachutes — are built from a single layer of high-strength technical fabric with no internal volume. Their glide ratio (L/D) is limited compared to advanced ram-air canopies, but they combine low weight and low packed volume for the required sink rate. That makes them particularly effective for weight-sensitive platforms such as UAV recovery systems, precision cargo drops and special forces deployment, where lightweight, low-bulk and low-volume textile solutions are mission critical.

White canopy with a tent-like tapered cut against a cloudy sky, its lines running out of frame below — Gliding parachute of the Rogallo type in flight

What they deliver in the field

Two key advantages:

Trajectory control for landing accuracy: steerable designs navigate to the intended touchdown point even in difficult wind.
Flare capability for impact reduction: just before touchdown the trailing edge is deflected, momentarily converting forward airspeed into lift. This improves the lift coefficient of the airfoil, further reducing sink rate and ground impact forces.

Black-and-white photo of an open Rogallo parachute on the ground with two people beneath it

Comparative efficiency

At equal flat surface area — flat surface meaning the canopy area when laid flat on the ground — a well-designed gliding parachute is typically 20–25 per cent more efficient at reducing sink rate than a round canopy, and 10–15 per cent more efficient than a rectangular one.

Inflated white round canopy seen from below, with a circular apex vent and lines converging against a bright sky — Round canopy

Fully inflated white square canopy seen from below against a blue sky, its lines running off to the right — Square canopy

Applications in defense and aerospace

Typical fields of use:

Cargo drops and recovery missions requiring precision landing.
UAV and drone recovery systems where lightweight and compact deployment is essential.
Steerable emergency parachutes for personnel or equipment.
Custom-made textile solutions for specialised deceleration and recovery needs.

Red and white striped steerable gliding parachute with lines, isolated on a white background

Manufacturing

We design and build military-grade gliding parachutes to exacting ISO 9001 standards, using certified, combat-proven materials. Every system is fully traceable from raw material to final deployment.

Laser head with hoses above a pale layer of fabric, its red beam burning a cutting contour; already cut, rounded contours surround it

Close-up of a braided white line knotted at its attachment point on olive canopy cloth

Source: apcodefense.com (APCO Aviation), as of 25 September 2026.

Gliding parachutes

Construction

What they deliver in the field

Comparative efficiency

Applications in defense and aerospace

Manufacturing

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