SBIR-STTR Award

Wolf is developing an aircrew-mounted helicopter restraint system for mobile aircrew that prevents ejection from the aircraft and provides crash and fall protection. It attaches to any D-ring currently used to attach the gunner's belt, and requires no modification to the aircraft to use. It automatically manages the slack between the aircrew and the attachment point. It senses motion associated with a crash or fall and locks the webbing from further extraction, ratcheting the lock when the aircrew moves closer to the attach point. It features a payout control that allows the user to set the maximum working length, so that ejection is never allowed. It adjusts in length to support the aircrew weight when leaning out the door or into a floor hatch, leaving aircrew hands free to perform mission tasks. It does not nuisance lock when experiencing violent aircraft maneuvers or wind effects. It can be unlocked after an event without returning to the aircraft attach point. It is compatible with the Aircrew Endurance Vest and all other similar aircrew vests.

Benefit:
The new aircrew-mounted restraint system outperforms currently available aircrew restraints in providing crash protection, fall protection and ejection prevention. It automatically provides the protection without any required input from aircrew. It allows easy length adjustment to prevent ejection from the aircraft and for use as a support when leaning out of the aircraft to perform mission duties. It can be used immediately in any aircraft and with any mission where the gunners belt or similar restraint is now used. It solves the problems associated with required aircraft modifications that plague other restraint systems. The system can be used in any aircraft application, military or commercial, where personnel need to be free to move about the cabin while enjoying the maximum of protection and support. It is applicable to Coast Guard, medivac, Life Flight personnel, Sheriff departments, Department of Homeland Security, and all other similar aircraft platforms.

Keywords:
Gunners Belt, Gunners Belt, restraint system, Fall Protection, inertia reel, Crash protection, tether, payout control, Mobile Aircrew

Wolf is developing an aircrew-mounted helicopter restraint system for mobile aircrew that prevents ejection from the aircraft and provides crash and fall protection. It attaches to any D-ring currently used to attach the gunner's belt, and requires no modification to the aircraft to use. It automatically manages the slack between the aircrew and the attachment point. It senses motion associated with a crash or fall and locks the webbing from further extraction, ratcheting the lock when the aircrew moves closer to the attach point. It features a payout control that allows the user to set the maximum working length, so that ejection is never allowed. It adjusts in length to support the aircrew weight when leaning out the door or into a floor hatch, leaving aircrew hands free to perform mission tasks. It does not nuisance lock when experiencing violent aircraft maneuvers or wind effects. It can be unlocked after an event without returning to the aircraft attach point. It is compatible with the Aircrew Endurance Vest and all other similar aircrew vests.

Benefit:
The self-adjusting tether system provides improved protection for mobile aircrew over existing technology. Unlike previous self-adjusting tether technology, this system can serve as a direct replacement for manually adjustable tether systems and requires no aircraft modification for implementation. The system design maintains a compact package that allows freedom of movement for the aircrew without the build-up of tether slack that can pose a risk to the user. Safety features help to protect the aircrew during fall and crash situations. The design avoids inadvertent locking while performing typical maneuvers throughout a mission. This system can be used across both military and commercial aircraft applications with mobile aircrew. This system can also be used as a fall-protection device in military and commercial applications on the ground.

Keywords:
Crash protection, tether, restraint system, inertia reel, Gunners Belt, Fall Protection, payout control, Mobile Aircrew