710621ARiSE (ABBS Rocket System)ClosedGRD Proof of ConceptInnovate UKThe project is based upon the use of the Linear Rocket Motor technology developed under another TSB project to develop an Active Mine Protection System for armoured vehicles, intended to prevent the vehicle being blown into the air to protect the occupants from the high acceleration forces which would otherwise be experienced. The Linear Rocket motors differ from conventional rocket motors in that the efflux comes out from the motor casing through multiple transverse slots along one side of a square or rectangular section steel or composite-wound tube. This configuration enables very rapid initiation and rise time to full thrust while delivering the total impulse extremely rapidly, down to about 15ms for the armoured vehicle application. This extremely rapid, high performance makes it possible to consider using the LRM’s on a helicopter to act as retro-rockets, slowing the descent rate of the aircraft if it is about to experience a hard landing or crash into the ground, and the linear configuration allows the motors to be substituted for the skids which are usually used on light to medium helicopters, hence reducing the weight penalty. The advantage of using the LRM’s is that activating the system can be left to the very last 1 to 2 seconds before the aircraft impacts the ground, when it is certain that an accident will occur. This provides an additional element of safety, in that the system can remain un-armed until such a height above the ground (e.g. 10m) that a crash is inevitable. The arming system is electronically controlled and is inherently safe, being used on air-launched missiles, torpedoes, and bombs. The project is designed to prove that the concept is viable by developing the sensor, control and initiation system to reliably detect the altitude and sink rate of the aircraft, and control multiple motors to achieve a safe landing.