Did you know the latest fuel tanks for helicopters are made from fabric?

Woven fuel tanks for helicopters are a recent innovation that offer several advantages over traditional fuel tanks. These woven fuel tanks reduce the lifetime emissions of helicopters, and are lighter, greener, and safer than many traditional fuel tanks.

The crash-resistant fabrics used in these tanks are usually made of polyamide, and the fabric type and coating optimisation can reduce the weight of the tank by as much as 25%, which is better for the overall performance of helicopters.

One of the key manufacturers involved in the innovation and production of these woven fuel tanks is ASD member Safran. The image in our header is a close up of a woven helicopter fuel tank, manufactured by Safran to be flexible and lightweight, yet tough!