Development of the Common Mobile Aircrew Restraint System (CMARS) Aircrew Integrated Recovery Survival Armor Vest and Equipment (AIRSAVE) Interface

For several decades, aircrew working within rotary wing aircraft and some cargo aircraft (C-130) have used a simple nylon Crewmembers Aircraft Safety Belt (CASB) with an adjustable tether length, commonly referred to as a “gunner’s belt,” as their fall protection system. The CMARS AIRSAVE interface, in conjunction with either the CMARS or MARS webbing retractor, will eliminate the CASB in an effort to increase fall and crash protection. This paper discusses the U.S. Navy development of a system that provides a substantial decrease in injury loads while significantly increasing fall and crash protection. The system utilizes the lifting harness already worn as part of the AIRSAVE survival vest, thus distributing the crash or fall loads over the aircrew member’s body. This paper will also discuss the design development from initial concept to prototyping, testing, and demonstration of the CMARS AIRSAVE interface in preparation for final introduction into the Fleet.