ATP 4-48 — Aerial Delivery
ATP 4-48 governs current aerial delivery operations and aerial delivery distribution within the overall Army distribution system.
- Publication number: ATP 4-48
- Title: AERIAL DELIVERY
- Date: 08/28/2023
- Proponent: T2COM
- Status: ACTIVE
View ATP 4-48 on armypubs.army.mil
It defines aerial delivery and covers airdrop, airland, and sling load methods, including planning, preparation, execution, safety, and equipment retrograde. It also describes aerial delivery organizations, support relationships, facility operations, and aerial delivery request considerations.
Applies to: ATP 4-48 applies to the Active Army, Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States and United States Army Reserve unless otherwise noted.
Topics covered
- Airdrop methods
- Airland operations
- Sling load operations
- Aerial delivery organizations
- Aerial delivery facility management
- Parachute packing facilities
- Aerial delivery equipment retrograde
Questions and answers
What are the three methods of aerial delivery?
Aerial delivery operations can be performed using three methods: airdrop, airland, and sling load. (paragraph 1-4)
What types of airdrop are standard?
There are four standard types of airdrop and three methods of release. The types of airdrop are freedrop, high-velocity, medium-velocity, and low-velocity. (paragraph 4-21)
How much can a door bundle weigh?
Door bundles do not exceed 499 pounds total rigged weight, and current Army jumpmasters are authorized to rig the loads. (paragraph 4-26)
Who is permitted to conduct airdrop operations?
Only trained and qualified personnel are permitted to conduct airdrop operations. (paragraph 4-46)
What is required when hazardous materials are packed for airland missions?
Always use TM 38-250 when load planning and packing hazardous materials for airland missions. (paragraph 3-19)