SBIR/STTR Award attributes
Body flailing during a severe helicopter crash can lead to injury or death when the head and upper torso strike rigid objects within the flail envelope.Currently fielded restraint systems allow a large flail envelope because the strap routing and anchor positions require some body motion to occur before the straps can develop significant reaction loads.Safe, Inc. (Safe) is proposing an alternate design that places the straps and anchors where the harness can develop restraining loads immediately upon the start of crash loading.The design is also more intuitive, simpler, and easier to use.It meets all requirements including minimal weight gain and no connection to aircraft power.It can be retrofit into existing seats, including the UH-60 Black Hawk seat which is selected as the technology demonstrator.The project proves feasibility directly through crash testing in the Base effort.Safe has support from a leading restraint manufacturer that will foster commercialization.Safes project team includes engineers with prior experience developing restraint systems and products for crash injury mitigation, as well as the author of the Armys "Crash Survival Design Guide."The technology, project team, and commercialization plan will support technical innovation that commercializes through sales to the fleet.
