Rotorcraft External Airbag Protection System

The Rotorcraft External Airbag Protection System (REAPS) is a new and innovative approach to crashworthiness. The REAPS inflates airbags attached to the underside of the fuselage to absorb energy and cushion the impact of a crash. It offers benefits such as reduced crash damage and injuries, and is effective on both land and water. A major development milestone was recently achieved – full scale system testing of a prototype REAPS having critical technology advances towards the production design. These advances include a radar-based proximity sensor, a pyrotechnic airbag inflator, airbags with gas vent control, and a control unit operating the crash discrimination logic. For the first time in its development, the REAPS is now fully automatic and independent of any control from the ground. Recent crash test results of a 3-bag system showed excellent control of the crash-induced acceleration loads, and measurements in the lumbar spine consistent with no significant risk of injury, in a severe crash of a helicopter lacking crashworthy seats. Recent flight tests showed good accuracy in distance and velocity measurement by the proximity sensor, and proper discrimination of normal flight conditions.