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Survitec Aerolite One Approved for USN Aircraft

Advanced Single-Seat Life-Raft 20% Lighter, 56% Lower Volume

Survitecs Aerolite One advanced single-seat life-raft (SSLR) has been approved by the US Navy for use with F/A-18 Super Hornet and T-45 Goshawk aircraft, receiving the service designation LRU-38/P.

Specifically developed to meet the evolving needs of fast jet pilots, Aerolite One’s compact and lightweight design creates additional space for critical mission-specific survival aids in the pilot’s personal survival pack (PSP). Completion of the USN’s demanding test programme demonstrated performance and validated the design for use in extreme conditions, ensuring the user is provided with emergency flotation and protection from cold water.

In more than 30 years, Survitec has provided over 20,000 SSLRs to the military and civilian users worldwide. This experience and a focus on customers’ requirements have been the driving force behind the five-year design and development journey of Aerolite One. The product features advanced materials, and employs manufacturing techniques to create an SSLR that exceeds in-water, seakeeping and thermal protection performance requirements, while minimising pack volume and weight. The resulting solution is 20% lighter than existing products, and up to 56% less packed volume.

The comprehensive test programme of physical and laboratory trials verified Aerolite One’s resistance to thermal shock, explosive decompression, acceleration, vibration, high and low pressures and temperatures, saltwater corrosion, accelerated ageing and performance in heavy seas. Nicholas Mulhall, Survitec’s Business Development Director – Aerospace and Defence, explained that “The US Navy’s stringent tests are devised to ensure the LRU-38/P design delivers exceptional protection in the most challenging conditions and provides significantly increased space for critical survival aids to be carried in the PSP. Pilots in over 50 countries fly safe in Survitec on one of 41 platforms in addition to F/A-18 […] This official designation from the US Navy is a critical milestone towards our most advanced single seat life-raft entering service. Once US Navy product validation testing is complete, [the] Aerolite One LRU-38/P will enter the market as an upgrade for legacy SSLR designs such as LRU-16/P, LRU-23/P, MK15, MK17, Type 18 and 19.

David Stelling, Category Manager – Aerospace and Defence at Survitec, added “We expect this development to lead to a wider take up of Aerolite One as a significantly improved replacement for existing single seat life-rafts in fast jets, rotary wing aircraft and many other applications.

 

Aerolite One has received the USN Navy designation LRU-38/P for use on F/A-18 Super Hornet and T-45 Goshawk aircraft. (Survitec)

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Publish date

03/10/2023

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