The ability to insert and extract personnel from helicopters is a core tactical capability. There are 3 main types of ropes used for this task:
Fast Ropes, FRIES Ropes and SPIES Ropes.

Fast Ropes are only used for insertion. Most often they 40mm-44mm in diameter and constructed from 8 braids of texturized nylon or polyester yarn to create a rope with enough surface friction and softness that non-operators can control the speed of descent when sliding down the rope.

There are multiple termination types available with the most common being;

Spliced Eye/Soft Eye – the rope body spliced back on itself to create a terminated eye.

Dynalite/Able – a shorter, low-profile eye created from a high strength (Dyneema/ AmSteel Blue/ HMPE) fibre.

Multifit – a metal termination, but it is largely superseded by the Spiced Eye and Dynalite styles.

Lengths vary from 15.2m/50ft to normally 27.4m/90ft.

Diameter 40-44mm is normal with 32mm often available for nationalities with smaller hands.

Certifications: In the USA MilSpec MIL-F-44422 is often used. Manufacturers outside of the USA often self-certify using elements of MilSpe MIL-F-44422.

Construction: Tighter braids create a harder rope with less compression that gives a faster descent. Ballast can be used in the ends of the rope to minimise rotor wash.

FRIES Ropes - Fast Rope Insertion and Extraction System;

These ropes use a rope body based on a fast rope, but additional connection loops inserted into the rope body mean the rope can be used for both insertion and extraction. The connection loops allow operators to connect themselves to the rope for extraction – a FRIES rope normally can extract 5-6 operators.

SPIES - Special Patrol Insertion and Extraction System;

Longer ropes for inserting but mainly extracting larger numbers of troops who are connected into the ropes and then lifted and carried under the helo. SPIES rope are normally 27m-40m long and can carry 10-12 operators.