Arden company gets $6 million U.S. Air Force contract

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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WRAL picks up on Asheville Citizen-Times brief:

ARDEN, N.C. — An Arden company will receive a $6 million contract from the U.S. Air Force research laboratory to create a system to restrain the heads and necks of fighter pilots.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported that the contract will go to Survival Innovations Inc. The company will adapt its restraint system for use in aircraft with ejection seats.

Survival Innovations President Leon Rhodes said the concept has the potential to resolve the issue of neck injuries suffered during high-speed ejections.

Several changes are responsible for the need for more protection for pilots’ heads and necks, including faster ejection that intensifies the load placed on the head.

Rep. Heath Shuler announced the contract.