Steve Mitchell

A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag or, in a ram-air parachute, aerodynamic lift. A major application is to support people, for recreation or as a safety device for aviators, who can exit from an aircraft at height and descend safely to earth.In addition to dropping soldiers on a battlefield without needing a landing strip for the airplane, parachutes also are used by the modern military to drop supplies and equipment.