The Tarian net inside the Textron TRAPS system demonstrates superior performance.
PHOENIX (October 10, 2011) – AmSafe® Industries, Inc., the leading provider of engineered restraint systems to the aviation, defense and specialty vehicle markets, today announced a successful test of its Tarian® rocket propelled grenade (RPG) protection system that is an integral part of Textron Defense Systems (TDS) TRAPSNet countermeasure. The TRAPSNet countermeasure completed a two-week test event sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in March this year where Tarian demonstrated excellent performance.
The Tarian RPG protection system was selected for integration into TDS’ Tactical Rocket Propelled Grenade Airbag Protection System (TRAPS) because of its superior performance, exceptionally light weight and flexible form factor.
TRAPSNet is a passive countermeasure that can be integrated with TRAPS onto any ground vehicle, wheeled or tracked. TRAPS incorporates Textron Defense Systems’ sensors, which are configured to identify incoming objects fitting the profile of an RPG warhead. Once the sensors confirm an RPG threat, the countermeasure deploys an AmSafe Tarian RPG net that is integrated into a standard airbag to defeat the RPG while preventing vehicle penetration.
The variant of Tarian RPG Net used in the TRAPSNet system has independently been approved by the UK Ministry of Defence and is in operation in Afghanistan as part of a $4m contract for AmSafe’s unique Tarian QuickShield bar armor repair kit.
“We are delighted that our Tarian RPG net has once again proven to provide superior RPG protection. Its application in the Textron Defense Systems innovative TRAPS architecture provides customers with the unique advantages of world class RPG protection and an unobtrusive form factor,” said Neal McKeever, vice president defense for AmSafe.
Textron Defense Systems Vice President of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance & Protection Systems Tom McNamara said, “The collaboration between AmSafe and Textron Defense Systems has enabled us to integrate AmSafe’s world-class RPG defeat technology into a highly effective countermeasure for our flexible and modular TRAPS threat protection system.”
The Tarian technology, in operational service in Afghanistan since 2009, has been rigorously tested—in the U.K. by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, an agency of the Ministry of Defence, and in the U.S. by its Department of Defense counterpart DARPA—to include over 750 live firing shots. This testing has verified both a high level of performance and a multi-hit capability inherent in the Tarian technology.
About AmSafe Industries, Inc.
AmSafe Industries, Inc. is the world leader in safety and securement products for the aerospace, defense, and ground transportation industries. AmSafe’s innovative products can be found on virtually every commercial aircraft in the world and include seatbelts, restraints, airbags, cargo and barrier nets, tie-downs and cabin interior textiles, and its textile armor protection system and restraints can be found on a wide range of military vehicles worldwide. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, AmSafe operates manufacturing and service facilities around the globe and is committed to providing quality products and timely, cost effective solutions to customers worldwide.