Man-Packed Pneumatic Heavy Lift System
Sarcos Defense, a division of Utah-based Sarcos Robotics, has announced the availability of the GUARDIAN HLS, a pneumatic heavy lift system it describes as the world’s first compact, portable, rapid-deployment, battery-powered such system for recovery, rescue and field service missions.
Designed in collaboration with the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the self-contained, easy-to-deploy system eliminates reliance on air canisters and unstable inflatable bags, enabling one person to quickly and safely lift vehicles, machinery, fuel tanks and other heavy equipment up to 45,000lbs in weight. It can also be combined with multiple systems to lift larger amounts.
The GUARDIAN HLS is comprised of a unique, single battery-powered pneumatic compressor with two proprietary, re-usable Dyneema fibre airbags, enabling safe and stable lift of substantial military assets including land vehicles, machinery and fuel tanks. The rapid-deploy system is capable of lifting a Class 2 commercial vehicle in less than one minute and enables quicker recovery, repair and servicing missions in the field.
“The GUARDIAN HLS is a great example of the successful commercialization of a product that meets a critical military need thanks to the funding and collaboration made possible by the Air Force Small Business Innovation Research Program,” explained Dr Alok Das, Senior Scientist at AFRL’s Center for Rapid Innovation. “It is gratifying to see our innovation efforts result in products that will better equip our community to complete recovery, rescue, and maintenance missions faster and more safely than they could before.”
The Guardian HLS has been extensively field-tested, has been deployed in harsh environments around the world and is now available for purchase by military and public safety organizations to support asset recovery, emergency response and field maintenance operations.