Patent ID: 7066426

Claim:
A multimodal vehicle comprising: a ground operable vehicle having an air propulsion source dischargeable from an aircraft in-flight; a multimodal ram air parachute operable in one free fall mode as a free fall parachute and in another powered parachute mode as a powered parachute attached to an upper portion of the ground operable vehicle deployable as a free fall parachute in said free fall mode following discharge of the ground operable vehicle from the aircraft for controlled descent of the ground operable vehicle to a target location and redeployable upon landing of the ground operable vehicle at the target location as a powered parachute in said powered parachute mode for controlled takeoff, flight and landing of the ground operable vehicle using said air propulsion source; a reefing mechanism operatively connected to said multimodal ram air parachute, said reefing mechanism controlling the rate at which said multimodal ram air parachute opens to prevent damage to said multimodal ram air parachute; and a riser adjustment mechanism allowing changes in the length of risers attaching said ground operable vehicle to said multimodal ram air parachute to controllably select between a front edge down canopy to provide operation in said free fall mode and a front edge up canopy to provide operation in said powered parachute mode.