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Designing a reliable recovery system for UAVs requires ensuring safe landings with minimal impact forces. For a 75-kilogram UAV, the greatest challenge was inflating a very large airbag volume in the shortest possible time.
The inflation process needed to perfectly align with the descent phase after parachute deployment. Any delay would compromise protection at impact. Meeting this requirement demanded a lightweight, compact, and ultra-fast deployment solution.
We adapted technology from paragliding harness airbags, which have demonstrated reliability for decades. These systems are self-inflating, drawing air directly from ambient airflow and eliminating the need for heavy compressed-gas cylinders or pumps.
Our UAV airbag incorporates an internal mast that inflates almost instantly due to its low volume. This mast includes a ducted fin that initiates airflow, creating a stable pathway for rapid inflation.
Once the mast is pressurized, it directs airflow into a forward-facing ram-air intake. As the UAV descends under parachute, the relative airflow rams into this intake, rapidly expanding the full-size airbag.
This dual-phase sequence – ducted fin plus ram-air intake – delivers complete inflation significantly faster than conventional systems.
• Fast Deployment – Inflation is synchronized with the UAV’s parachute descent profile.
• Lightweight & Compact – Requires no heavy components, minimizing battery and payload burden.
• Proven Reliability – Built on decades of paragliding airbag expertise, validated in thousands of impact events.
• Controlled Deflation – Engineered valves release air at touchdown, preventing damage and absorbing energy for softer landings.
Extensive drop trials and real UAV recovery tests confirmed the system’s inflation speed, durability, and impact-mitigation capability.
Acceleration and force measurements were used to refine the optimal outlet size and configuration.
Results consistently demonstrated safe landings, protecting sensitive avionics and structural components while ensuring mission-ready recovery.
A UAV airbag system is a self-inflating impact protection solution designed to reduce landing forces and protect UAV structures, avionics, and payloads during ground contact after parachute-assisted descent.
APCO’s UAV airbag is based on proven paragliding airbag technology, using a self-inflating design that draws air directly from ambient airflow during descent, eliminating the need for compressed gas cylinders, pumps, or pyrotechnic inflators.
The airbag is engineered to inflate extremely rapidly, with the inflation sequence synchronized to the UAV’s parachute descent phase, ensuring full protection before ground impact.
The internal mast inflates first due to its small volume and incorporates a ducted fin that initiates airflow, creating a stable and efficient pathway for rapid airbag inflation.
Yes. This airbag system is specifically designed for UAVs weighing up to 75 kilograms, providing effective energy absorption and structural protection during landing.
Yes. The system has undergone extensive drop trials and real UAV recovery tests, confirming inflation speed, durability, and impact-force reduction under operational conditions.
