WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — Engineers with the Air Force Research Laboratory and a private company have developed a restraint system they hope can save lives and reduce injuries for crews of military helicopters and transport planes.

The Universal Mobile Aircrew Restraint System allows a crew member to adjust a tether strap's length up to eight feet for moving around the aircraft cabin freely during routine flight.

During a violent maneuver or crash, the system is designed to increase tension fluidly to soften the impact of being restrained, said engineers with the AFRL and Wolf Technical Services Inc., an Indianapolis-based company. The system operates with a damper which increases its resistance as the webbing is pulled out more quickly, they said.

The system is designed for use by crew members including flight engineers, loadmasters, medics and gunners, who must remain mobile to do their jobs aboard military aircraft. It is awaiting approval for in-flight testing.

The researchers said their goal was to improve on existing safety restraint systems including a fixed-length leash or a inertia-based reel and strap system that can lock up if the reel rotates too quickly.

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