ResQtec Aircraft Recovery System
ResQtec recently developed R2S, a new type of modular aircraft recovery system based on pneumatic lifting bags. The height above ground of modern airframes such as the Airbus A380 means that the lifting bags cannot simply be stacked as they would become unstable. Hence ResQtec designed an articulated metal frame to stabilise the lifting bags. This frame needs to combine a high strength with a low weight to facilitate transport. Aluminium was the obvious material for the frame, if a minimum tensile strength of 500 MPa could be obtained.
The aluminium components were designed using FEM (Finite Elements Method). Swildens helped select the technology (drop forging) and material (aluminium 7075 - T6) which ensured that the strength requirements were met with a comfortable margin while the costs were lower than expected.
An R2S aircraft recovery unit uses five different forged components, ranging from approx. 1 kg (88 pieces used in the largest R2S unit) to 3.7 kg (72 pcs.). An R2S unit with a weight of 700 kg can lift a load of 22 tons. ResQtec has now developed a special version for the A380, with a capacity of 165 tons at 6.5 metres.
This project has been awarded with the European Aluminium Award 2008, which was handed out during the International World Trade Fair 'Aluminium 2008' in Essen, Germany.
