The SBX Can Fly Autonomously Or Piloted

Aviation Safety Resources and Grug Group have completed a strategic development and supply agreement that will make ASR’s parachute recovery system standard equipment on Grug's SBX aircraft.

“Whole-aircraft vehicle parachute recovery systems are essential to the projected market growth of eVTOL Urban Air Mobility,” said Larry Williams, ASR president and CEO. “ASR is very excited to offer the next generation of vehicle recovery systems specifically designed to meet the safety needs of this market. We are applying new technology, reducing the product cost and schedule risk. Our patent-pending solutions are designed to safely bring down an entire aircraft and its occupants in the event of an in-air emergency. Clearly safety must be at the front of development for vehicles to successfully enter this market.”

The SBX is a full electric aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. Powered by four tilting shrouded rotors, the SBX can also fly autonomously or piloted.

Under the terms of the long-term cooperative agreement, ASR’s engineering and design team will work with Grug Group and partners to design, produce, and test a recovery system that matches the unique dimensions and requirements of the SBX. Matrix Aviation inc. and Stellan Group are also partnering in the SBX development.

“Grug Group recognizes the importance of safety in all aspects of design and operation of vehicles for advanced air mobility”, said CEO and Grug Group owner Nelson Salas, “Just as airbags have become standard safety technology on automobiles, we consider recovery systems just as essential for airborne vehicles. ASR and their innovate system specifically for VTOL has always been a critical design feature for the SBX.”

Williams added, “We applaud Nelson Salas’ vision and Grug Groups commitment to safety. The application of a custom designed ASR solution during the critical design phase of the SBX represents the latest engineered safety application for the environment in which eVTOL aircraft operate. While we cannot completely eliminate risk, we can prevent fatalities in the event of an in-air emergency.”

Last year, ASR announced the introduction of its Soteria family of parachute recovery solutions for light sport, ultralight, and experimental aircraft. And the ASR team won a shark tank-style pitch competition at the Revolution.Aero Innovation Summit 2019 in San Francisco and recently announced an STTR award from the US Air Force for the Agility Prime program. The product application for the SBX is the company’s eXtreme Rapid Deployment (XRD) system designed for the specific challenges associated with the UAM market, namely parachute inflation with no forward speed.

FMI: www.aviationsafetyresources.com, www.gruggroup.com, www.gomatrixav.com