UTC Aerospace Systems to showcase next-generation technology at Farnborough Air Show

UTC Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp., will display several of its new, advanced technology systems at the Farnborough Air Show. Among the innovative products to be showcased is the company's next-generation Advanced Concept Ejection Seat 5, or ACES 5â„¢, a product that helps save lives and prevents ejection-related injuries. Built on the outstanding record of performance and the life-saving legacy of ACES II®, the ACES 5â„¢ ejection seat offers advanced safety features that not only allow the pilot to eject from the aircraft safely, but also reduce the risk of ejection-related injuries. The ACES 5â„¢ safety enhancements meet the U.S. Air Force's latest ejection requirements and can also accommodate the entire population of pilots flying our U. S. Air Force aircraft today.

"Our world-class engineers created a modular design that is embedded with unique safety features and more intelligent technology. The enhanced safety features of the ACES 5â„¢ are among the industry's best," said Jim Patch, senior program manager for ACES 5â„¢ at UTC Aerospace Systems. "UTC Aerospace Systems made a significant investment in the development of ACES 5â„¢ to protect our aircrew and mitigate risk of injury so that they have the best opportunity to escape and evade capture, if necessary. Our design is focused on saving lives and preventing ejection-related injuries."

The ACES 5â„¢ ejection seat's advanced safety features include a passive head and neck protection system designed to prevent injuries for aircrew wearing helmet-mounted devices, passive limb restraint systems to prevent arm and leg flail injuries, and an improved recovery parachute to reduce the risk of injury upon reaching the ground. In addition, ACES 5â„¢ is equipped with unique and innovative technologies designed to stabilize the seat during ejection. These unique safety features allow the ACES 5â„¢ seat to accommodate the entire weight range of aircrew and may overall facilitate safer aircraft ejections.

"As a former U. S. Air Force fighter pilot, I recognize the critical need for ejection seats in an emergency situation, and I take that responsibility very seriously," said Patch. "In the event of an emergency, our goal is for each pilot to safely eject with our seat so that they have the opportunity to fly another day. Nothing is more important to our team than keeping those who defend and protect us safe."

UTC Aerospace Systems has been engineering and manufacturing ejection seats since the late 1970s. The company's ACES II is on board the A-10, F-15, F-16, F-117, F-22, B-1 and B-2. ACES II has been credited with saving more than 630 lives since its introduction in 1978.