Test and Evaluation of Improved Aircrew Restraint Systems
Abstract
US Army aviation accident data shows that a majority of all injuries in attack helicopters could have been avoided if these aircraft had been equipped with crashworthy seat and restraint systems. The compactness of the cockpit and the close proximity of mission equipment to the aircrew in attack and scout helicopters pose serious crash impact hazards. Although not desirable from a crashworthiness standpoint, operational considerations may dictate that mission equipment and structure be located within the occupant's crash impact motion envelope, particularly for his head. The cockpit can be delethalized further when the improved restraint is complemented by padding potential strike surfaces in the cockpit; making contact surfaces frangible; and providing weapon system sights with frangibility, telescoping, and/or swing-away features. This report presents the results of an effort to test and compare the potential of several aircrew restraint systems to reduce the crash impact motion envelope of helicopter aircrewmen.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA107576
Entities
People
- G. T. Singley Iii