Engineers from a Rostec subsidiary have developed a wearable emergency reserve (NAZ) in the form of a waistcoat for Russian Air Force pilots. The design includes ballistic packages made of aramid armour, providing protection from pistol bullets and shrapnel. The development will increase the pilot’s survivability in case of ejection or forced landing. This was reported in the press service of the state corporation.
The waistcoat is equipped with an evacuation system with strong straps and carabiners for quick climb aboard a rescue helicopter. It integrates a flashlight-beacon with a range of up to 3 km and an IR module for detection in low visibility conditions, as well as a liquid-free compass functioning in the temperature range from -60 to +50°C. An inbuilt universal holster with a customisable fit for a specific brand of pistol allows you to accommodate your personal weapon. The kit also includes a knife, first aid kit and water supply.
Tests have shown that the waistcoat can withstand overloads of up to 9G, airflow at 1470 km/h and high temperatures in a fire. Such capabilities of the waistcoat will protect pilots in extreme combat conditions.
‘Similar NAZs are already available in Russian aircraft today, but the key difference is that they lie separate from the crew, for example, in stowage under the ejection seat, and there is a possibility of losing them during an emergency abandonment of the aircraft,’ Rostec said in a statement.
The representative of the state corporation added that the NAZ in the form of a waistcoat is more reliable, significantly alleviates the impact of overload and helps the anti-overload suit to work. The mass production of the NAZ will begin in 2025.
In November 2016, a Turkish F-16 shot down a Russian Su-24 frontline bomber in Syria. Crew commander Oleg Peshkov, who was close to jihadist positions, was killed by militant fire from the ground during landing. The navigator, Konstantin Murakhtin, was swept aside by the wind and the accuracy of the large-calibre machine guns was ineffective.
The rescuers were helped to locate the navigator by special equipment, which is part of the NAZ kit. Its coded signal can be received and recognised only by special equipment, but if you do not have such equipment, the transmitter of the NAZ will send it in the opposite direction. This is why the jihadists were unable to locate Konstantin Murakhtin, even though they approached him at a distance of several metres during the search.
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