Rapid escape from aircraft cabins is vital to save lives following an accident, but substantially more difficult in the dark, a smoke filed environment or after ditching into water.  Thankfully these situations rarely occur, but when they do the results can be quite horrifying.

QINETIQ WAELS provides a proven and affordable solution to the problem.
• Vastly improves survivability for both trained and untrained passengers • In service with Royal Air Force Merlin Helicopters • Tested in turbid water conditions • Easy to retrofit • Lightweight and affordable • Self contained power supply • Proven airworthiness • Unique jettison handle locator

Increasingly, military aircraft operators have a duty of care placed upon them to ensure the safety of all their aircraft users, and as operations evolve, all military aircraft and helicopters in particular, are being used in roles for which they were never originally procured.  Jointly developed by QinetiQ and Sakerhetspartner, the WAELS system addresses the issue of helping occupants quickly escape in the event of an accident.

The WAELS (Water Activated Emergency Lighting System) system is based on shockproof halogen lamps, initiated by a localized water sensor and self-contained power supply.  The system also employs use of NVG compatible photoluminescent strips and exit marker signs. These glow calmly at night to make exit locations known to local personnel: providing added reassurance for those not used to helicopter operations. e.g. in a search and rescue role or transportation of personnel to offshore oil and gas sites.

One of the key advantages of the WAELS system is its ability to be seen even in poor underwater visibility. Tested in UK turbid 5 (murky) conditions, WAELS can be seen in this environment from up to 2.5m away throughout a 300 degree arc. In clear water it will penetrate for up to 10m. Following these tests, and arduous Underwater Escape Scenario (Dunker) trials, WAELS was selected by the UK MoD for embodiment to RAF’s Merlin Mk3 helicopters. Although originally designed to highlight helicopter emergency exits, the WAELS system can be easily transferred to any platform, from rotary and fixed-wing aircraft to marine applications. QinetiQ’s decades of aircraft safety assessment and airworthiness experience, coupled with Sakerhetspartner UK’s emergency egress and lighting knowledge ensure an appropriate solution to the challenging issues associated with underwater escape.

:: View WAELS demo