PRETENSIONING DEVICE DESIGN FOR CRASH PROTECTION

THE CURRENT FIVE-POINT MILITARY AVIATION RESTRAINT SYSTEM (FOR NON-EJECTION CREW SEATS) WHEN PROPERLY USED (I.E., TIGHTLY ADJUSTED), CAN PROVIDE GOOD OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION. THE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS ALSO INCLUDE AN INERTIAL REEL ON THE SEAT BACK WHICH IS DESIGNED TO LOCK THE SHOULD STRAPS AT THE ONSET OF A CRASH, IN THE SAME MANNER THAT THE COMMON AUTOMOBILE SEAT BELT INERTIAL REEL LOCKS WHEN JERKED QUICKLY. BY LOCKING THE INERTIAL REEL, THE CREWMEMBER'S FORWARD MOTION IS LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT OF STRETCH IN THE BELTS, THEREBY GREATLY REDUCING THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY (OR DEATH) DUE TO HEAD (OR UPPER TORSO) IMPACT WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OR CONTROL STICK. HOWEVER, MILITARY HELICOPTER CREWMEMBER'S TYPICALLY WILL LOOSEN THE RESTRAINT SHOULDER STRAPS IN ORDER TO GAIN INCREASED COMFORT AND MOBILITY (RANGE OF MOTIONS). SINCE THE CREWMEMBERS ARE UNABLE TO TIGHTEN THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM IN AN IMPENDING CRASH SITUATION, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S ABILITY TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT THEM DURING THE CRASH EVENT IS DEGRADED. THIS PROPOSAL DESCRIBES AST'S TECHNICAL APPROACH TO SOLVING THIS PROBLEM, OUR UNIQUE CAPABILITIES TO ACCOMPLISH THE PROJECT, PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS, AND RELATED EXPERIENCE.