Here is a close up of the chest mounted reserve parachute that pushes the rigged ATB in airdrop bag down on the legs of the Team Leader LT Sparks here prior to the jump. This same effect takes place when jumping heavy ALICE rucksacks. The solution is to create a "clean front" parachute system like used on ram-air parachutes like the MC-4/5 series. The M1950 weapons case upper tie down tie using 50 pound break cord is visible above the center chest strap. This encumbrance can be avoided by the adoption of the shorter M4 series of 5.56mm carbines which can be easily jumped exposed and padded to speed Paratrooper transition into fighting order on the Drop Zone (DZ)or even be fired on the way down under canopy. The M4 carbine can also be easily carried slung across the front of the chest in an assault carry position with the proper sling as the Light Bicycle Infantryman (LBI) cycles his ATB for rapid transition into foot fighting order in event of enemy contact. A small clear ballistic gunshield on 5.56mm weapons would add ballistic protection to Paratroopers on the move.
Another benefit of folding ATBs and carry bags is that several could be strapped or "bungee corded" to the outside of ground vehicles like armored CavScout HMMWVs or the fantastic 11-ton M113A3 Gavin Airborne Infantry-Cavalry Fighting Vehicle of the U.S. Army XVIII Airborne Corps. This saves space inside the vehicle for other supplies/equipment and speeds the deployment of the ATBs from their "mother" vehicle which can take an overwatch position with long range weapons like 106mm Recoilless Rifles (RRs) and Autocannon, Heavy Machine Guns and keep its thermal signature masked from the enemy as the ATB-mobile CavScouts recon ahead.
Napoleon said:
"Time spent in reconnaissance is never wasted"
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