Human Transport by Fighter Planes, EXINT POD!

[+GKABS 8,772]

Throughout the history of war, mankind has always developed technologies for new and up-to-date conditions. Some trials have yielded positive results, and the technology has reached the current status. However, in some cases, the trials did not give what was expected or were found too far from the realistic point of view. In this article, we will examine a little known and interesting product that has been put on the table due to a need.

Since warplanes entered the battlefield, it has been possible to reach much longer ranges and much faster than land vehicles and even helicopter platforms. The armies felt the need to rescue a personnel who had fallen behind the enemy zone of the battle line. Or he felt the need to sneak personnel into the enemy's side of the battle line. These needs pushed to produce solutions by using the available technological products.

In the UK in the 1990s, AVPRO company came to this need with a different solution.

EXINT Pod!

The Exint Pod developed by AVPRO was literally a capsule integrated into the pylons (Turkish: Salan), which are located in the wings and hulls of aircraft and helicopters and where ammunition and other tools can be attached. This capsule was produced for the purpose of carrying people, not to carry bombs or avionics as can be predicted. Yes, carrying people on the wings of a warplane ...

The above-mentioned need was felt in the situations experienced in the conflicts that took place in the Gulf and the Balkans. Occasional civilian hostages had to be rescued, the pilot of a downed plane had to be rescued from the enemy line, and special forces soldiers had to infiltrate the enemy line. Since almost all of these needs are far from helicopter range and require high speed, Exint Pod actually seemed like a great solution.

1 Image: Crashed Apache pilots are recovered with another Apache EXINT Pod.

2 Image: Sea Harrier rescues civilians with EXINT Pod.

3 Image: Sea Harrier provides infiltration with EXINT Pod.

In the first design, the pod was 4 meters long and was designed to accommodate two people. However, other than human, equivalent weight medical equipment, etc. It could also be filled with material. The cabin was of course developed with an internal oxygen and heating system, as there was a helicopter or a person to be transported by a fighter jet, which would further strain the conditions. With these possibilities, it could be used at very high altitudes and high speeds. In addition, the cabin was also equipped with a parachute system and a satellite-assisted rescue system for situations such as when the pilot of the fighter plane carrying the cabin could not leave the cabin somehow.

With subsequent tests and improvements, the cabin evolved into a design to accommodate a single person and enough supplies. Although AVPRO also carried out tests on a British Sea Harrier GR5 fighter plane (a platform capable of vertical landing and take-off), these tests did not come to the level of a live candidate. There is no clear data on whether it is also included in the UK inventory.

According to some WEB sources, Israel has purchased this project and the first produced samples for AH-64 Apache helicopters and approved for use.

1 Visual: Apache AH-64 EXINT GRIER POD

2 Visual: F35 GRIER POD design

Although the EXINT Pod was seen as a life-saving product at first glance, it also brought some difficulties. Primarily, up to 4 EXINT Pods that can be placed in under-wing releases were exposed to the enormous noise of Sea Harrier's Rolls Royce engine due to its proximity to the engines. Apart from this, due to the distance of the capsule from the center turning point of the plane, it was exposed to excessive G pressure force. As if this were not enough, many effects of flying at the speed of sound were seen.

An experimental air-ambulance version of the P-38

[+whiteknight06604 934]

suddenly airline economy class seems fine to me. 

[+GKABS 8,772]

2 minutes ago, whiteknight06604 said:

suddenly airline economy class seems fine to me. 

No kidding 

[+russouk2004 6,958]

RAF did it in ww2  some mosquitos had pods to drop off spies...usually though it was the westland lysander as it could land in short fields and take off same.

Edited January 22, 2021 by russouk2004

[fallenphoenix1986 603]

I knew about the EXINT pods, as in I was aware of the design... didn't realise they'd actually been built, had mentally written it off as a paper project.

[Mike Dora 171]

Is that “Extinct” pod? Because one suspects that would be the fate of the passenger!

I wonder when this bright idea was first put forward - any date between 31 March and 2 April perhaps?

[+Menrva 4,200]

Such pods would only make sense for very black operations. Only a mentally strong operative can keep his/her cool in it. To use them for carrying wounded is plainly stupid. Med evac helicopters are meant to be flying ambulances, where the wounded can still be treated on the way to a hospital. With the pods, that wouldn't be possible. Civilian hostages, I doubt they would like this experience after the traumatic one they have experienced before.

Thanks to @GKABS for posting this, nonetheless. It's an interesting concept I've never heard of, something to remember in the history of military aviation, with the likes of circular runways and other such ideas.

[+daddyairplanes 10,235]

well, if you all have issue with pods remember the Brits do it cheaper in actual practice

backstory for those that dont know, four Royal Marines rode the Apaches back to recover the body of a fallen comrade immediately after an ambush.  Taliban scattered expecting a strike, just to have those four pop off and retrieve their mate.

my understanding is that all AAC Apaches now have belts and hand holds  after this mission

[+Gepard 11,289]

Mi-1M, medical version of the helicopter with outside transport container  for injured persons