SAINTS: Smart Automatic Inflation System

Current life preserver units (LPU) require Rotary Wing Naval Aircrew to be capable and conscious to inflate the device. Lack of consciousness or incapacitating injury has unfortunately led to the loss of life. Though automatic LPUs exist for ejection seat and shipboard use, they lack sensor and logic capability to determine if aircrew are located within the airframe before activation. To address this technology gap, Luna Labs USA, LLC and partners at Equipment, Solutions & Personnel, LLC (ESP) are developing SAINTS, the Smart Automatic Inflation System. The system consists of an immersion and proximity sensors to intelligently determine the presence of a water survival situation and the location of the aircrew in relation to the downed aircraft. Once the system confirms egress from the aircraft it is inflated automatically, while still allowing fully mechanical, manual inflation.