TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER - AIRBAG TECHNOLOGY As a result of recent government emphasis on accelerating the transfer of government technology to private industry, the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Command (SSCOM) has identified a technology area to transfer to industry. SSCOM is interested in partnering with industry to continue the development and ultimately the commercialization of airbag technology as packing material in cargo shipping, transportation safety crash protection devices, etc. The U.S. Army's soft landing of parachute suspended cargo payloads historically has been accomplished using paper honeycomb material as the ground impact energy shock mitigator. The exploration of airbag technology for airdrop cargo landing shock attenuation has been performed over the past decade at the U.S. Army Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center (NATICK). Experimental data has been compiled along with analytical computer modeling of an airbag acting as a one dimensional impact absorption system. Several techniques to improve the efficiency of airbag energy absorption have been investigated. Our desire is to bring in the private sector at this stage in the development process to speed the hand off to industry. We believe airbag technology can be used to supplement or eliminate non-environmentally safe packaging material used in cargo shipping; and as transportation safety crash protection for easily rollable vehicles, ie., moped's, motor scooter/cycles, golf carts, etc. It is also our belief that safer cargo handling equipment can be developed using this technology, ie., airport baggage handling, warehousing tractor trailer shipping/receiving systems, etc. Interested parties are invited to discuss the possibility of entering into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the project officer, Mr. Nick Rosato, Applied Research Division, Mobility Directorate, U.S. Army Natick RD&E Center, Natick, MA 01760, telephone 508-651-5909; Fax: 508-651-5000.

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