XERMES: Single Pass Rocket Powered Precision Airdrop

In January 2016, a team of Green Berets under fire received a resupply drop from an MC-130J flying 800 feet above the ground. The aircraft delivered 1600 pounds of water, ammunition, and medical supplies 20 meters from the besieged compound while taking fire during the pass. Air Force Special Operations requires the ability to resupply ground units under fire precisely and reliably with minimal risk to aircraft and air crews. Masten Space Systems (Masten) proposes to design and develop Xermes: Rocket Powered Precision Resupply. Xermes is a cargo resupply platform which leverages Masten’s experience in rocket powered landings in challenging environments to autonomously deliver supplies to contested drop zones with high precision. By eliminating the error inherent in parachute resupply, supply drops can be made from higher altitude and can land within one meter of a target, making it less likely that supplies are captured or destroyed by adversary ground forces The capability to safely and reliably resupply troops under fire would provide high operational value to USAF Special Operations.