Parachutes were an invention that revolutionised the delivery of troops into battle. But they’re inherently limited – beyond a small degree of control, it’s a case of just jumping out and floating down to where the wind takes you. A German company is trying to address this problem with the development of modular carbon-fibre wings for paratroops which will enable them to swoop, eagle-like, over distances of up to 200km before they reach the ground.