Guardian^® HLS

Pneumatic Heavy-Lift System

The Ultimate Heavy-Lifting Solution for a Highly Mobile Military Force

The Guardian HLS heavy-lift system is a pneumatic rescue and recovery system designed in collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to lift armored tactical vehicles and other substantial payloads when the speed, timing, and accuracy of operations are crucial. Compact, portable, and easy to operate, the Guardian HLS heavy-lift system can be deployed quickly and provide immediate asset recovery and emergency response, ensuring the safety and success of the U.S. military’s various missions.

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Guardian HLS Pneumatic Heavy-Lift Rescue and Recovery System

Extreme lifting force of the system’s battery-powered, pneumatic compressor lifts 45,000 lb of payload with only two airbags; only one airbag needed for lighter loads
Lightweight and man-packable for a range of operations, including dismounted rescue/recovery, Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), and humanitarian rescue relief
Able to lift various payloads including military land vehicles, heavy machinery, fuel tanks, and other heavy assets in under 5 min (<1 minute to achieve wheels-up lift on Class 2 commercial vehicle)
Provides multiple lifts with one battery charge

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State-of-the-art design provides instant, powerful lifting capabilities for superior readiness, utility, and security in crucial operations.

Rugged, Pneumatic Design for Quick, Powerful Lifts

Single-piston, pneumatic compressor fully inflates two 34-gal airbags in <5 minutes

Two-bag lift system delivers 45,000 lb in total lift capacity (22,500 lb per bag)

Made of durable Dyneema^® UHMWPE fiber, the reusable airbags require only 3” of insertion space and provide 18” maximum vertical lift height when fully inflated

Streamlined, Portable & Economical

Full system comprised of four easy-to-assemble subsystems

Lightweight kit fits into a single backpack for easy transport

Low-cost, commercial 20/60 V battery for easy tool interchangeability

Only one person required for system operation

Quick-Deploy Capabilities

Quick-connect pneumatic hoses and valves for easy assembly

Rapid-deploy design enables quicker recovery missions to mitigate loss and extended exposure of assets to potential threats

Assists personnel with in-field repairs and servicing of vehicles during time-critical missions

Suitable for use in rugged, evolving tactical environments

Applications

The Guardian HLS heavy-lift system is uniquely equipped to enhance personnel safety and mission efficacy for both military and public safety segments:

Military

Emergency Response
Combat search and rescue
Field logistics and maintenance assist
Common uses: Ground vehicle and asset recovery, structure collapse and heavy rescue extrication, and personnel extraction

Public Safety

Emergency response
Search and rescue
Field-vehicle recovery and maintenance assist
Common uses: Vehicular accidents, structural collapse and heavy rescue extraction, trench or confined space reinforcement, and people extraction

Guardian^® HLS Technical Specifications

Subsystems

Single-piston compressor and removable COTS battery
Pneumatic hose assembly - Direction control valve, fill valve, and 3 quick-connect hoses
Heavy-lift airbags (2 per kit) - Made of Dyneema^® multi-layered, Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber
Shipping case

Dimensions & Weight

Heavy-lift airbags: 34 gal each; ~3 lb per bag
Compressor with battery: ~14 lb
Packed volume of Guardian HLS system: ~700 in³
Total system weight: ~30 lb

Payload Capacity

Single bag: ~22,500 lb lift
Two bags: ~45,000 lb lift
Lift height: 18 in
Lift time: <5 mins to fully inflate bags (<1 minute to achieve wheels-up lift on Class 2 commercial vehicle)

System Operating Pressure

60 psi

Power Requirements

COTS 20/60 V battery (compatible with most modern DeWalt tools for increased mission flexibility)
One battery equivalent to three compressed-air cylinders
Battery life indicator located on output-end of the compressor