A new Loadmaster Harness for the Swedish Air Force C-130 Hercules
Johan Zetterberg
The Swedish Air Force have used a restraint harness in the C-130. If the Load Masters needed a parachute, they had to take off the restraint harness and put on a back parachute. The back parachute did not fit well with the lifejacket and it did not have pockets for survival equipment. During tactical flying the crew in the cargo compartment had to stand in the rear windows to watch for missiles. That was very hard work to stand up while pulling 2,5-3 G;s. In 2001 the Swedish Air Force decided to buy new equipment for their C-130 crewmembers flying on missions in a hostile environment. The requirement included a harness that must be able to be used both as a restraint harness and a parachute harness + fit with the same type of survival waistcoat that was used in the SAAB Viggen.
The problems No harness was found on the open market that fitted the requirements. The time table was short. The design of the harness required good knowledge of all involved survival equipment.
The solution The decision was taken to develop the harness within Sweden.
The requirements were: A Parachute harness. Elastic attachment strops. Quick release of attachment strop. Chest parachute. Survival equipment. Must fit with: Survival waistcoat, body armour, Camelbak and oxygen connectors + a grab bag with arctic equipment.
Weight and size limits 70-160 kg suspended weight. Size from 160 cm to 210 cm. Bodyweight from 50 kg to 120 kg. Detachable oxygen system for high altitude. Attachment points for tactical flying. Covered canopy releases. Small hook knife. Crew detachable attachment strops.
Conclusions All the requirements were met. The harness was designed and manufactured to MIL-spec.
From idea to delivery was less than 2 years, including government procurement!
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