Leading Survival technology provider Survitec has unveiled a new range of defence grade life preservers designed specifically to improve the safety of military aircrews.

Survitec stand at DSEI 2021 (Picture source: Survitec)

Launched during London’s DSEI 2021 exposition, the three new lifejackets form part of Survitec’s newly created AirPEX (Aircrew Protection Extreme) product portfolio.

“The launch of these new life preservers is important to Survitec’s strategic objective of expanding its presence in the military rotary and non-fast jet fixed wing market,” said Nick Mulhall, Aerospace and Defence Business Development Director, Survitec. The decision to undertake the development of these new life preservers was made after Survitec became aware that many users of this type of equipment experience issues where the performance doesn’t fully meet operational requirements.

“A key element in the development of the new AirPEX range was to meet market demand for a lightweight and low bulk high buoyancy lifejacket with improved thermal and comfort characteristics for aircrews undertaking combat and non-combat missions over water,” said Mulhall.

Available in sage green and desert tan to suit different terrains, each jacket in the new range offers different features appropriate to different mission profiles. All three new life preservers include a new single or double chamber micro life preserver unit, a simplified quick adjustment system for optimum fit and many other design innovations that lead to a product that has received very positive user feedback both in terms of comfort and functionality.

Allof the new AirPEX life preservers are designed to provide maximum in-water performance whilst optimising comfort and mobility allowing front and rear aircrew to safely perform their duties during different types of mission (Picture source: Survitec)

For instance, Protectoris is the introductory product in the AirPEX range and is equipped with large fixed multi-functional pockets allowing different Personal Locator Beacons and all essential survival aids to be stowed and retrieved quickly. AirPEX Defender is a fully modular life preserver allowing total configuration flexibility to suit different mission requirements, while the combat ready AirPEX Warrior provides unrivalled small arms ballistic projection with fully integrated front and rear body armour options.

All products in the range are manufactured from lightweight fabrics to reduce, bulk, thermal burden and heat stress, with the objective to deliver greater comfort to male and female aircrews.

“All three of the new AirPEX life preservers are designed to provide maximum in-water performance whilst optimising comfort and mobility allowing front and rear aircrew to safely perform their duties during different types of mission,” said Mulhall.