The grav-chute is a backpack-sized suspensor pack that lets a trooper fall from any height and land safely. It’s the quiet workhorse behind every Imperial combat drop, from Elysian Drop Troopers to Primaris Reivers.
What the grav-chute does
A grav-chute uses suspensor fields to fight gravity, backed up by two small jets on either shoulder that brake the descent. It’s designed to control a fall, not launch you upward, which is the key difference from a jump pack.
If you need to hold position, it can hover you in place for up to a minute at a time. The power supply runs for roughly an hour before it needs swapping out.
- Suspensor fields counteract gravity during the drop.
- Twin shoulder jets add extra braking.
- Can hover in place for about a minute.
- Battery life is around one hour.
- Smaller and less powerful than a jump pack.
Who uses it
The Astra Militarum leans on grav-chutes hardest. Storm Troopers and dedicated Drop Troop regiments, like the Elysians and the Harakoni, jump from low-flying aircraft or straight out of the upper atmosphere.
It’s more than for infantry. Grav-chutes also get strapped to Drop Sentinels, Support Sentinels, and supply canisters so vehicles and cargo can be air-dropped alongside the troops.
Known patterns and variants
The best-known Imperial pattern is the Type Five Icarus-pattern Personal Descent Unit, built on Lucius and issued to several drop regiments including the Phantine Skyborne.
Space Marines have their own version. Astartes grav-chutes are used when Scout Squads need a stealthy insertion and can’t rely on teleportation or drop pods. Primaris Marines in Mark X Phobos Armour use them too, especially Reiver Squads and Vanguard Suppressors.
| Pattern | User |
|---|---|
| Type Five Icarus-pattern | Phantine Skyborne and other Imperial drop regiments. |
| Astartes grav-chute | Space Marine Scouts, Reivers, Vanguard Suppressors. |
Why it matters
The grav-chute gives commanders a cheap, flexible way to put boots on the ground without landing a transport. It’s the difference between a risky landing zone and a silent vertical insertion.
It also shows up across Imperial and Chaos equipment lists, so it’s a common piece of kit rather than a rare relic. For any drop-troop army, it’s the defining piece of gear.
Key facts
- A grav-chute is a pack-sized suspensor that slows a fall from any height.
- It uses suspensor fields plus two shoulder jets, and can hover for about a minute.
- Power lasts around an hour before the supply needs replacing.
- Common users include Elysian and Harakoni Drop Troopers, Storm Troopers, and Space Marine Reivers.
- It can also air-drop Sentinels and supply canisters.
- The Type Five Icarus-pattern is a notable Imperial model made on Lucius.
FAQ
What’s the difference between a grav-chute and a jump pack?
A jump pack pushes you up into the air. A grav-chute only slows and steers your fall, so it can’t give you a boost.
How long can a grav-chute hover?
About a minute at a time, with a power supply that lasts roughly an hour overall.
Do Space Marines use grav-chutes?
Yes. Scout Squads use Astartes grav-chutes for stealthy drops, and Primaris Reivers and Vanguard Suppressors carry them too.