Seat belts, seat belt assemblies, seat belt systems, and methods for incorporating the seat belts, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly systems are disclosed, with the seat belt including a seat belt locking mechanism sensor that, in tandem with a seat belt thermal sensor provides confirmatory information as to a definitive locking condition or locking state of a seat belt.

Seat belts, seat belt assemblies, seat belt systems, and methods for incorporating the seat belts, seat belt assemblies, and seat belt assembly systems are disclosed, with the seat belt including a seat belt locking mechanism sensor that, in tandem with a seat belt thermal sensor provides confirmatory information as to a definitive locking condition or locking state of a seat belt.

An arm restraint assembly for an ejection seat may comprise a primary arm configured to pivot about a primary arm pivot joint, a first cable portion coupled to the primary arm, and an attenuator coupled to the first cable portion. The first cable portion may be configured to pivot the primary arm about the primary arm pivot joint. The attenuator may include a housing and a plunger having a head located in the housing. The head of the plunger may be biased toward a first end of the housing.

An arm restraint assembly for an ejection seat may comprise a primary arm configured to pivot about a primary arm pivot joint, a first cable portion coupled to the primary arm, and an attenuator coupled to the first cable portion. The first cable portion may be configured to pivot the primary arm about the primary arm pivot joint. The attenuator may include a housing and a plunger having a head located in the housing. The head of the plunger may be biased toward a first end of the housing.

A neck protection system for a parachute assembly may comprise a head restraint, a first upper strap coupled to a first side of the head restraint, and a second upper strap coupled to a second, opposing side the head restraint. A first lower strap may be coupled to the first side of the head restraint. A second lower strap may be coupled to the second side of the head restraint. A first pull cord may be coupled to the first upper strap. A second pull cord may be coupled to the second upper strap.

A neck protection system for a parachute assembly may comprise a head restraint, a first upper strap coupled to a first side of the head restraint, and a second upper strap coupled to a second, opposing side the head restraint. A first lower strap may be coupled to the first side of the head restraint. A second lower strap may be coupled to the second side of the head restraint. A first pull cord may be coupled to the first upper strap. A second pull cord may be coupled to the second upper strap.

Launch and/or recovery for unmanned aircraft and/or other payloads, including via parachute-assist, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method for lofting a payload includes directing a lifting device upward, releasing a parachute from the lifting device, with the parachute carrying a pulley and having a flexible line passing around the pulley. The flexible line is connected between a tension device (e.g., a winch) and the payload. The method further includes activating the tension device to reel in the flexible line and accelerate the payload upwardly.

Launch and/or recovery for unmanned aircraft and/or other payloads, including via parachute-assist, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method for lofting a payload includes directing a lifting device upward, releasing a parachute from the lifting device, with the parachute carrying a pulley and having a flexible line passing around the pulley. The flexible line is connected between a tension device (e.g., a winch) and the payload. The method further includes activating the tension device to reel in the flexible line and accelerate the payload upwardly.

Apparatus and methods for supporting human external cargo from the hoist of a hoist-equipped helicopter are provided. The apparatus has at one or more hoist cables for attachment to the hoist; two lanyards for connecting to a personal harness; a dielectric rope intermediate to the one or more hoist cables and the two lanyards; a first connection point for interconnecting the hoist cables to the dielectric rope; and a second connection point for interconnecting the dielectric rope to the two lanyards. The apparatus when connected to a user wearing a personal harness allows for the user to be externally supported from the helicopter hoist and permits the user to be safely suspended from the helicopter in order for work on or near high voltage power lines.

Apparatus and methods for supporting human external cargo from the hoist of a hoist-equipped helicopter are provided. The apparatus has at one or more hoist cables for attachment to the hoist; two lanyards for connecting to a personal harness; a dielectric rope intermediate to the one or more hoist cables and the two lanyards; a first connection point for interconnecting the hoist cables to the dielectric rope; and a second connection point for interconnecting the dielectric rope to the two lanyards. The apparatus when connected to a user wearing a personal harness allows for the user to be externally supported from the helicopter hoist and permits the user to be safely suspended from the helicopter in order for work on or near high voltage power lines.