REDDITCH, England, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- An emergency floatation system for helicopters is being supplied to a Chinese aviation company by Britain's GKN Aerospace Plc.
The first prototype EFS for use on Jiangxi Changhe Aviation Industry Co. Ltd.'s Avicopter AC313 will be delivered next year, as will delivery of a fully certified system before the end of the year.
"This contract win represents the first ever qualification of an EFS to Civil Aviation Administration of China standards and is also a landmark for us as it is GKN Aerospace's first EFS business in the Chinese market," said Phil Swash, chief executive officer of GKN Aerospace's Europe and Special Products unit.
"This win extends our lead in flotation systems with our EFS now equipping most large helicopters available today -- helicopters such as the AW101, the S92, and now the AC313, are all equipped with our proven flotation technology."
GKN said the EFS, which features new non-explosive technology, will give the AC313 helicopter increased survivability in the water by giving the aircraft the capability to float in rough seas with waves as high as about 12 feet.
The Avicopter AC313 is a single-rotor aircraft that can carry as many as 27 passengers.
The value of the contract and the number of systems to be delivered were not disclosed.
