SAFE INC SBIR Phase I Award, May 2019

Aircrew back pain is a widespread problem causing lower aircrew endurance, reduced mission effectiveness, and increased costs for treatment and rehabilitation. Better seat pan and back cushions can mitigate the problem but changing the cushion on a dynamically qualified (crash tested) seat is a complex engineering problem because the cushion affects the crash protection of the spine. Safe, Inc. (Safe) proposes to develop a cushion that addresses three major issues affecting endurance. The work plan includes a means to measure and correct for any changes that the new cushions have on seat crash protection. Safe has assembled a project team with prior experience developing cushions that address both endurance and crash protection concerns.