Switlik Parachute (Booth No. 1828) is aiming for a soft landing at Heli-Expo’09 with a new contract and introduction of a new modular helicopter life vest and a civilian version of the one-man life raft being supplied to the U.S. military.
The Trenton, N.J.-based company was recently awarded a five-year contract to supply 20,000 life vests to the U.S. Marine Corps. The contract was part of a helicopter passenger egress system for Marines being transported over water by helicopter. The under-arm flotation model provides “a low-profile solution to various operations involving passengers, including the commercial market.”
For Brazilian offshore operators, Switlik recently completed delivery of nearly 800 HV-35P helicopter passenger life vests for SNETA Group of Petrobras. The consortium of seven air taxi operators agreed on a standardized vest for use by passengers in their daily operations. Follow-on purchases of vests and spares are anticipated.
At the same time, Switlik has begun deliveries of its joint-services vacuum-packed life raft (JSVPLR) for the Army Air Warrior Program. This multi-year program will supply individual soldiers with a vacuum-packed, single-place life raft that is worn in their overwater gear backpack.
