A ballistic
projectile recovery system includes a forward opening in an
ogive of the
projectile, selectively opened to deploy a portion of the
recovery system. A parachute is deployable through the opening, connected to the
projectile by riser line(s). A rotational bearing
assembly makes the riser line(s) rotationally decoupled from the projectile. A bidirectional drag inducing element extends externally of an
ogive of the projectile. A spacer, between a setback plate and the rotational bearing
assembly, is deformable in at least the longitudinal direction of the projectile. The setback plate is movable between a first position to a second position made available by the compression of the spacer. In the second position, the setback plate is in contact with the projectile, providing a load path that avoids the rotational bearing
assembly to take up strain applied to the projectile in at least the longitudinal direction.