Automatic Life Raft Deployment System for the CH-46 Helicopter.

摘要

Helicopters are subject to roll-over and sinking within a minute of being forced down in sea states of 2 or greater. Internally stowed life rafts are virtually impossible to carry to escape hatches and deploy while water rushes in and aircraft rolls or pitches in waves. Boeing was awarded a contract by NADC to develop an externally mounted raft container pod with automatic and manual deployment initiation system. Container pod and controls were designed and fabricated for externally mounting the life raft. Demonstration tests were successfully conducted using various modes of initiation.