Soldier survivability is maximized when the occupant is firmly coupled to the seat throughout the full range of a seat’s motion- be it up/down, front/ back, recline, etc. This requires the restraints to be mounted directly to the seat structure. With such an ABTS design, all the forces of a crash or blast are transmitted through the seat frame, which must be adequately designed.

Properly designed seats withstand the forces, remain coupled to the vehicle, have frames that do not break, and maintain occupant kinematics and posture throughout the dynamic event. Poorly designed seats break under such forces, resulting in failed components and injured Soldiers. Consequently, these seats mount belts to the vehicle structure instead of the seat. This compromise not only takes up valuable space behind the seat, but it also decouples the restraints from the seated occupant.

ABTS seating applications free vehicle manufacturers from tying restraints to the B pillar, C pillar, or side walls. Without such restrictions, one can increase seating capacity and add functionality, such as turning seats into litters.

Check out some videos of the ABTS System.

• Malibu Test 1
• Malibu Test 2