A towplate unit to assist in aerial extraction of a cargo load from an airborne aircraft, the towplate unit comprising: an extraction link which includes a pair of spaced-apart parallel extraction link arms (32a, 32b) and an extraction cross-connector extending between and rigidly joining the extraction link arms, the extraction cross-connector being adapted for connection with a cargo extraction line (CL E) attached to a cargo load to be extracted from the airborne aircraft; a jettison link which includes a pair of spaced-apart parallel jettison link arms (34a, 34b) each nested within a respective one of the extraction link arms, and a jettison cross-connector extending between and rigidly joining the jettison link arms rearwardly of the extraction cross-connector, the jettison cross-connector being adapted for connection with a drogue parachute line (DC L) associated with a drogue parachute being towed by the airborne aircraft; and a locking system (40a, 40b) adapted to removably lock the jettison link to the extraction link and to allow the jettison link to be removed from the extraction link when unlocked, characterised in that the locking system comprises: (i) at least one locking link (42a, 42b) pivotally connected to a respective jettison link arm; and (ii) at least one locking pin (48a, 48b) rigidly associated with a respective extraction link arm, wherein the at least one locking link is pivotally moveable between a locked condition such that the at least one locking link is lockably engaged with the at least one locking pin so that the extraction and jettison links are connected to one another, and an unlocked condition such that the at least one locking link is disengaged with the at least one locking pin to thereby allow separation of the jettison link from the extraction link. an extraction link which includes a pair of spaced-apart parallel extraction link arms (32a, 32b) and an extraction cross-connector extending between and rigidly joining the extraction link arms, the extraction cross-connector being adapted for connection with a cargo extraction line (CL E) attached to a cargo load to be extracted from the airborne aircraft; a jettison link which includes a pair of spaced-apart parallel jettison link arms (34a, 34b) each nested within a respective one of the extraction link arms, and a jettison cross-connector extending between and rigidly joining the jettison link arms rearwardly of the extraction cross-connector, the jettison cross-connector being adapted for connection with a drogue parachute line (DC L) associated with a drogue parachute being towed by the airborne aircraft; and a locking system (40a, 40b) adapted to removably lock the jettison link to the extraction link and to allow the jettison link to be removed from the extraction link when unlocked, characterised in that the locking system comprises: (i) at least one locking link (42a, 42b) pivotally connected to a respective jettison link arm; and (ii) at least one locking pin (48a, 48b) rigidly associated with a respective extraction link arm, wherein the at least one locking link is pivotally moveable between a locked condition such that the at least one locking link is lockably engaged with the at least one locking pin so that the extraction and jettison links are connected to one another, and an unlocked condition such that the at least one locking link is disengaged with the at least one locking pin to thereby allow separation of the jettison link from the extraction link. (i) at least one locking link (42a, 42b) pivotally connected to a respective jettison link arm; and (ii) at least one locking pin (48a, 48b) rigidly associated with a respective extraction link arm, wherein the at least one locking link is pivotally moveable between a locked condition such that the at least one locking link is lockably engaged with the at least one locking pin so that the extraction and jettison links are connected to one another, and an unlocked condition such that the at least one locking link is disengaged with the at least one locking pin to thereby allow separation of the jettison link from the extraction link.