Airbag technology has been successfully demonstrated on a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during tests by the US Army.
The Simula cockpit air bag system (CABS) supplemental restraint is designed to prevent fatal and serious injuries during survivable crashes.
US Army test pilots maintained control during flight and hover while the airbag was deployed, proving that safe flight can be maintained during an uncommanded airbag deployment.
The two-pilot Black Hawk was equipped with a four-bag CABS configuration, with two bags mounted forward of the crew and two side-mounted. During the tests, for safety reasons, only a single bag was deployed at any one time in front of the controlling pilot.
Production is scheduled to start next year on completion of qualification tests. Simula has received an initial $7 million US Army contract to install CABS on 290 UH-60s. It is also modifying the system for use in the Bell OH-58DKiowa Warrior.
The device may become available for civilian aircraft, with the US Federal Aviation Administration monitoring the army tests.
Source: Flight International
