Jenoptik : introduces design awarded new prototype of civilian rescue hoist “SkyHoist 800”

This hoist model, which has won two design awards, is being presented in Dallas, Texas from March 7-9 at HAI Heli Expo, the American specialist trade fair for helicopters.

The 'SkyHoist 800' surpasses the conventional market parameters with its sophisticated capstan technology, dead weight of maximum 50 kilograms, hoisting capacity of up to 350 kilograms, cable length of 120 meters and maximum hoisting speed of 2 meters per second. Its modular design also reduces maintenance-related stop times and therefore saves money.

Not only does the rescue hoist score points because of its technical specifications, but it is also easy on the eye. Its shape combines aerodynamic and safety-related requirements with innovative product functions to reveal a new, compact design. It also blends into the design of the helicopter in an elegant way.

Design Awards for aviation product

In December 2016 the 'SkyHoist 800' won the Good Design Award in the 'Safety & Security' category. The international prize for product design is presented annually by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design in cooperation with the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies.

The 'SkyHoist 800' received the German Design Award 'Special Mention' for its design back in October 2016. The German Design Council has presented this award every year since 2012 for pioneering entries from product and communication design in the international design landscape. The 'Special Mention' rating acknowledges work whose design contains particularly successful aspects or solutions. The German Design Council was established in 1953 by the German Government in order to help the German economy to achieve consistent brand equity using design.

The design of the 'SkyHoist 800' is the first project on which Jenoptik's Aviation business unit has collaborated with designer Ralf Jubowski, who has also been designing Jenoptik traffic safety systems for more than ten years.

As a specialist from the aviation supply industry, Jenoptik can look back on forty years of tradition in hoist production. Rescue hoists were already being used on life-saving missions on the Bell UH 1D helicopter back in the 1970s. NATO also flies missions with the NH 90 transport helicopter with a Jenoptik hoist.

A picture of the rescue hoist is available for download from the Jenoptik image database in the Defense & Civil Systems / Press Photos gallery.

About Jenoptik and its Defense & Civil Systems segment

As an integrated photonics company, Jenoptik is active in the three segments Optics & Life Science, Mobility and Defense & Civil Systems.

The Defense & Civil Systems segment develops, produces and distributes mechatronic and sensor systems for civil and military applications. The portfolio ranges from individual assemblies, which customers integrate into their systems, through to complete systems and end products. The segment's areas of competence are energy systems, optical sensor systems, stabilization systems, aviation systems as well as radomes & composites. Top-quality customer service ensures that the Jenoptik products and customer systems are supported over their useful lives, which generally extend over many years. The mechatronic products include diesel-electric gensets, electrical machines such as alternators, electric motors or converters, power electronics, heating systems and control units as well as lift systems and rescue hoists. They are used in drive, stabilization and energy systems for military and civil vehicles, rail and aircraft equipment. The sensor systems include infrared camera systems and laser rangefinders which are primarily used in automation technology, as well as security technology and military reconnaissance.