861460 - Airbus Helicopters OEM Power Device Cartridge

861460 – Airbus Helicopters Emergency Flotation System Power Cartridge

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Overview

The Airbus Helicopters 861460 is a flight-critical, OEM pyrotechnic power device cartridge integral to the Emergency Flotation System (EFS) on select rotorcraft. As a Cartridge Actuated Device (CAD), its sole function is to provide the instantaneous, high-energy impulse required to initiate the inflation of the emergency floats. This part is a companion to other cartridges within the EFS and is designated for a specific installation point. Upon electrical activation during a ditching emergency, the 861460 fires, generating a powerful gas pressure pulse that mechanically actuates the valve of a high-pressure inflation cylinder, leading to the rapid deployment of the life-saving floats.

Manufactured and tested to the most stringent aerospace and OEM standards, this single-use, hermetically sealed device ensures the highest degree of reliability for a system where failure is not an option. Adherence to the correct part number for the specific location, along with strict observance of its service life, is paramount for ensuring the airworthiness and survivability of the aircraft in an emergency water landing.

Key Features

• Pyrotechnic Actuation: Employs a proven, stable solid propellant to deliver a powerful and instantaneous mechanical force, far exceeding the reliability and power density of conventional systems.

• High-Reliability Initiator: Features a military-grade electrical initiator (squib) for guaranteed activation from the 28 VDC aircraft power system.

• Hermetically Sealed Construction: Built with a rugged, corrosion-resistant steel case and hermetic seals to protect the pyrotechnic charge from environmental degradation, ensuring performance throughout its designated service life.

• Life-Limited Component: Marked with a Date of Manufacture (DOM), from which its mandatory replacement date is calculated to guarantee chemical stability and performance.

• OEM Certified Performance: As a genuine Airbus Helicopters part, it guarantees the precise fit, function, and performance required for a specific location within the EFS assembly.

• Precise Mechanical Output: Engineered to produce a controlled pressure pulse to actuate the inflation valve without damaging the surrounding system hardware.

Technical Specifications

• Part Number: 861460

• Component Type: Cartridge Actuated Device (CAD) / Pyrotechnic Power Cartridge

• OEM Manufacturer: Airbus Helicopters

• Material (Case): Per OEM specification, typically high-strength Corrosion Resistant Steel (CRES). Must be confirmed via OEM documentation.

• Output: High-pressure gas pulse for mechanical actuation.

• Initiation: 28 VDC electrical signal (nominal).

• Service Life: This is a life-limited component. The expiration date is calculated from the Date of Manufacture (DOM) marked on the unit and must be strictly followed per the Component Maintenance Manual (CMM).

• Shipping Classification: Hazardous Material (HAZMAT). Typically UN 0323, Class 1.4S - Cartridges, Power Device. Requires certified HAZMAT shipper.

Aircraft Compatibility

This power cartridge is specified for use on specific Airbus Helicopters models and is designated for a particular location within the EFS. Primary compatibility includes:

• Airbus Helicopters H145 (BK117 D-2 & D-3)

Note: Verification of applicability is the responsibility of the installer. An EFS may use multiple, different power cartridges (e.g., 861450 and 861460). Using the correct part number in the correct location is critical. Always consult the current version of the aircraft's Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) and maintenance manual to confirm part number eligibility.

Applications

• Sole Application: Initiation of the Emergency Flotation System (EFS) from a specific, designated installation point within the overall system architecture.

Why Choose 861460?

In a ditching scenario, the performance of the EFS is the final determinant of crew and passenger survivability. The 861460 is a key component in this system, and only the genuine OEM part provides the certified assurance of performance. Using an expired, improperly handled, or non-certified part, or installing the wrong part number in a given location, can lead to a catastrophic failure of the floats to deploy. The OEM 861460 guarantees full traceability, correct performance specifications, and compliance with the aircraft's type-certified design.

The Airbus Helicopters 861460 is a highly engineered Cartridge Actuated Device (CAD) that leverages the principles of controlled deflagration to convert stored chemical energy into work. The solid gas-generant propellant inside is not a detonating explosive; it is a stable compound designed to burn at a predictable, subsonic rate upon ignition. When the electrical initiator receives its signal, a resistive bridge wire ignites a primer, which in turn initiates the main propellant grain. The burn front propagates across the grain's surface, generating a precisely controlled pressure-time curve within the cartridge's confined volume. This engineered pressure pulse provides a powerful, non-destructive impulse to drive a piston, delivering a reliable mechanical force with a power-to-weight ratio and speed that is unattainable by conventional electromechanical means.

Note: This is a flight-critical, life-limited, single-use pyrotechnic component. It must be replaced on or before the expiration date calculated from its Date of Manufacture (DOM). This item is classified as a Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) for shipping, storage, and disposal. All handling, installation, and removal must be performed by certified technicians in strict accordance with the aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) and all applicable federal and international regulations.

Documentation

No public-facing OEM or regulatory documentation was located for this part. All technical data, service life information, and handling procedures are proprietary to Airbus Helicopters and contained within the official Component Maintenance Manual (CMM) and Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM).