Emerging Technologies in Aircraft Crashworthiness

The U.S. Navy is addressing the primary causes of severe injury and death in survivable military helicopter mishaps through advancing crashworthiness technology. Computer simulation for both aircraft and occupant dynamics has been useful in defining the ideal crashworthy systems. Greater use of simulation is being employed to understand a wide range of crashworthiness-related areas. For example, the effects of a water impact on an aircraft structure are being evaluated, effects of occupant restraint system geometry are being analyzed, and the performance limitations on supplemental restraint systems can be determined. Advances in crash sensor technology has made it possible to integrate supplemental restraint systems into aircraft while adding a capability to record crash impact pulses. An increased awareness of occupant accommodation has brought about novel approaches for crashworthiness for an expanded anthropometric range for systems such as energy absorbers on crew and troop seats.