Airbags Designed to Save Helicopters Hard Landing on Rough Terrain

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Aero Sekur’s shock attenuation system is designed to aid crew and helicopter survival. The system is expected to be ready for flight next year. Phoro: Aewro Sekur

A new safety device developed for civil and military medium helicopters, Aero Sekur’s shock attenuation system is designed to aid crew and helicopter survival. It is the industry’s first integrated solution to aid unscheduled descents on both land and water. Aero Sekur estimates that the new helicopter landing system will be available in 2012.

The shock absorption/flotation airbag system is designed to minimize airframe crash damage by limiting inertia load on the fuselage and frame. This initiative has the potential to lead profound change with manufacturers’ approach to helicopter safety solutions, utilizing lighter airframe construction for helicopters, offering improved performance with enhanced crashworthy capability.

Aero Sekur’s shock attenuation system is designed to aid crew and helicopter survival. The system is expected to be ready for flight next year. Phoro: Aewro Sekur
Airshow-Live sponsor: IAI
The shock absorption/flotation airbag system developed by Aero Sekur is designed to minimize airframe crash damage by limiting inertia load on the fuselage and frame. Photo: Aero Sekur

Aero Sekur has partnered with Bangalore based Sika Interplant Systems as its Industrial Partner in India.

“Working closely with leading aero industry manufacturers, we identified a need for a solution to increase survival rates of helicopter crews.” Aero Sekur’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Butler said, indicating that the new safety systems could be deployed to address un-scheduled landings suitable for all landing terrains. “The shock attenuation aspects of the system were originally developed as part of our work for the ESA ExoMars program.” Butler explained relating to Aero Sekur’s shock attenuation airbags used to deliver Mars probes safely to rest on the red planet.