KC135 Life Raft Securing Device

The Air Force seeks to create an engineering‑approved, standardized method for securing life‑saving rafts on KC‑135 aircraft. The effort will replace ad‑hoc restraints (seatbelts, cargo tie‑downs) with hard‑mounted strap assemblies in the forward‑left and forward‑aft positions, mirroring the existing robust design aft of the left overwing hatch. The solution will be delivered via a field‑level Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO) to ensure crashworthiness, improve crew evacuation times, and reduce program cost and scope. • Standardize raft‑securing hardware across all forward positions on KC‑135 aircraft. • Develop a TCTO that specifies hard‑mounted strap design, installation procedures, and verification testing. • Eliminate the right‑hand hatch raft position from the aircraft configuration, reducing complexity. • Ensure compliance with engineering safety standards while minimizing cost impact.