Master High-Altitude Operations Through Simulation

Unlike civilian skydiving, which is done primarily for sport and fun, HALO and HAHO military jumps are highly advanced freefall insertion techniques that allow forces to get close to identified targets as part of covert operations. Here's a closer look at HALO and HAHO jumps and their operational differences:

In either case, soldiers are jumping from extreme altitudes ranging from 13,000 to 30,000 feet, which requires physical and physiological conditioning. Such jumps require supplemental oxygen to avoid hypoxia at high altitudes, and those risks exist because reduced atmospheric pressure changes how oxygen is delivered to the body compared to sea level conditions. What's more, considering soldiers may be freefalling at over 120 miles per hour, while carrying parachutes and other equipment, core and neck strength is a necessity. Cardiovascular fitness is also important for managing physiological stress and managing heavy equipment, such as oxygen systems, combat loads and navigation equipment.

This all underscores the importance of proper training. One misstep can pose a major safety risk to any jumper and jeopardize a mission for others. To prepare for high-altitude jumps, a combination of wind tunnel training, gear practice and advanced parachute training is typically required. Much of this training can also be conducted using a military virtual reality parachute simulator, which can replicate exit altitudes and allow soldiers to practice in a virtual environment.

Oxygen deprivation. Extreme cold. Terminal velocity variations. These are just a few of the risks soldiers face when jumping from 13,000 to 30,000 feet, underscoring the importance of proper training and fitness before carrying out a mission.

At altitude, the performance gap between a prepared jumper and an unprepared jumper can widen quickly, and it's not unlike what happens when endurance athletes train at elevation without adequate acclimatization. Altitude exposure can influence red blood cell production, which is one reason high-performance programs sometimes aim for more red blood cells over time, but military jumpers aren't training for endurance alone; they're training for precise execution, decision-making, and survival under reduced oxygen availability and lower atmospheric pressure.

Here's a closer look at the physics and human factors involved in extreme altitude parachuting:

Greater preparedness helps reduce risk and enhance skills. Systems Technology's PARASIM training solutions are designed to help.

The gold standard for virtual reality parachute flight training, PARASIM has been the go-to parachute training solution for aircrew and airborne paratroopers for more than 36 years, with more than 400 installations worldwide. Utilized by the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, the virtual reality simulator is designed to provide immersive and realistic flight training in both planned and emergency situations.

Key features include:

Simulator training is designed to build critical skills for jumpers, while also significantly reducing the risk of safety incidents by up to 72%. Moreover, simulator training can significantly reduce costs by facilitating practice in a controlled environment rather than in real-world situations.

Some of the critical skills PARASIM is intended to help jumping units build include:

How high to jump and how long to freefall largely depends on the mission type. Stealth insertion altitudes are typically done anywhere from 20,000 to 30,000 feet, while performing a delayed freefall and deploying the canopy closer to the ground. HAHO jumps, typically used for long-range infiltration, are also performed at higher altitudes, even though the parachute deploys almost instantly upon exiting the aircraft.

Various factors also influence jump height, including equipment weight, current weather patterns in the area, the effects of weather at various altitudes and landing zone selection. These are all scenarios that jumpers can actively train on in a simulator, so they're better prepared and more confident when the time comes to perform the real thing.

Some missions call for more than a single jump profile. Training can cover combined personnel and equipment drops, or plans that pair different jump types and altitudes within one operation. Rehearsing these combinations in a simulator helps units work out timing, sequencing and load management before they are in the air.

The Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) uses GPS-guided, steerable parafoils to deliver equipment and supplies from high altitude to a pre-programmed landing point. Because the aircraft can release from higher up and farther out, JPADS keeps it outside the range of many ground threats while still landing cargo accurately near the target. Simulator training lets units plan and rehearse these precision airdrops alongside their personnel jumps, coordinating where people and equipment come together on the ground.

Beyond the many scenarios we discussed throughout this post, STI simulators also offer training in advanced scenarios. These include night HALO operations, adverse weather training and multi-jumper formation exercises. There's also the option of real-time instructor intervention to help ensure that military teams and their unit leaders get things right.

Alternate drop zone decision-making is another area teams can rehearse. When a primary landing zone becomes unusable because of weather, threats or terrain, jumpers and unit leaders have to reassess and commit to a backup fast. Simulators let them practice that mission-planning and in-air decision process repeatedly, so choosing to divert feels routine rather than reactive when it happens for real.

STI also offers customized training courses led by professional instructors. Each course is purpose-built around unique objectives to ensure each session delivers high-level impact.

The future of high-altitude parachute training is highly simulated to streamline preparation in a safe, controlled and cost-effective environment. Advanced features like biometric monitoring, virtual reality and cross-platform training will continue to impact this industry, providing more well-rounded training opportunities while safeguarding the individual.

The future of training will also focus on physiological survival and tactical stealth, combining two important elements in any high-altitude mission. VR headsets can be worn to mimic real world equipment, rehearse emergency procedures, and help units navigate any type of crisis they may face in the sky. GPS-guided canopies are also in the works to help with autonomous equipment insertion in contested zones.

Interoperability is another frontier. Simulators are increasingly built to plug into larger military training ecosystems, integrating with platforms like Virtual Battlespace (VBS) through the Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) protocol. This lets high-altitude jump training run as part of a wider, networked exercise instead of in isolation, so jumpers, aircrew and ground elements can train together in one synchronized scenario.

High-altitude training will continue to advance, underscoring the importance of ensuring that your units receive the latest and best available resources to increase success when they take to the sky and are ready to carry out a covert mission. STI continues to advance high-altitude parachute training with its advanced simulator solutions, preparing jumpers for missions to come.

What is the highest altitude parachute jump ever recorded?

The highest-altitude parachute jump ever recorded was made from 135,890 feet by Alan Eustace on October 24, 2014. That equates to about 25.7 miles, and it's often described as a space jump due to the altitude profile and the fact it began high in the Earth's stratosphere. Prior to Eustace's jump, the highest freefall jump was recorded at 127,852 feet by Felix Baumgartner in October 2012. The highest jump by a military member was 102,800 feet by U.S. Air Force Captain Joseph Kittinger in August 1960. Kittinger jumped from the edge of space and fell for 4 minutes and 36 seconds.

Military HALO jumps aren't typically this high; they typically range from 13,000 to 30,000 feet.

How long does oxygen last during a HALO jump?

Though a typical HALO jump sequence relies on oxygen supplies that are customized to the specific jump profile, there are generally two phases of oxygen use: pre-flight and during the jump. Pre-flight oxygen is usually breathed for 30-60 minutes while on the ground. During the jump, jumpers switch to a small, portable tank that's worn on their rig. It's designed to provide about 15 to 20 minutes of supplemental oxygen during the freefall. HALO jumps consist of a delayed freefall, with jumpers deploying the canopy closer to the ground, so 15-20 minutes of oxygen is usually plenty in such situations. Oxygen is mandatory above 13,000 feet.

What altitude do military HALO jumps typically occur?

Military HALO jumps tend to occur anywhere from 13,000 to 30,000 feet. Some jumps may even be as high as 40,000 feet.

Can civilians undergo HALO training?

Yes, civilians can undergo HALO training and actively participate in military-style jumps. However, this is a highly specialized jump that's expensive and also strictly regulated. Training is best done at a professional military freefall training center, where students are often hosted alongside military units to learn the skills required for these high-altitude descents.

How does simulator training compare to actual high-altitude jumps?

Simulator training is the best way to teach freefall skills in a controlled, repeatable environment. While it's unable to simulate the exact conditions of a freefall, studies show that preparing in this manner can help reduce actual jump risks by up to 72 percent.

What certifications are required for high-altitude military parachuting?

HALO and HAHO jumps require intense training and certification. Individuals must earn the Military Freefall Parachutist Badge through the Department of Defense, which is typically only awarded after undergoing training at a professional military freefall training center. To earn this badge, you must take a basic airborne course, a military freefall course and undergo aerospace physiology training. You must also pass a specialized flight medical and physical evaluation that confirms you're fit for these types of jumps.

Transform Your High-Altitude Training Program

Are you ready to transform your high-altitude training program and enhance your unit's HALO and HAHO readiness? STI's PARASIM technology is here to help your units practice how they want to perform. Proven to enhance HALO and HAHO safety and performance, PARASIM covers the full jump experience from aircraft exit to canopy deployment to approach and landing. Contact STI today for more information about PARASIM.