ARS

What ARS does

Air Rescue Systems Corporation (ARS) designs, manufactures, and supports equipment and training for helicopter search-and-rescue hoist operations, serving military, government, and public-safety buyers primarily in the United States. The product portfolio centers on the Vita Rescue System (VRS), an intelligent lifting device that uses bi-directional electric propulsion and thrust vectoring to autonomously stabilize loads in rotor wash, eliminating spin in under three seconds and processing 1,000+ sensor data points per second. Around that flagship the company offers extraction devices (ARES, APED, ARV-QC), the 338 Heli-Ops Harness (FAA TSO C-167 approved), Gauntlet and Winter Gauntlet hoist gloves, aircraft-specific lanyards, and a line of anchor and crew-retention hardware.

Revenue is generated across three streams: unit-priced hardware sold direct via airrescuesystems.com and via enterprise sales to U.S. DoD and National Guard units; instructor-led training courses (Fluid-Dynamic Hoist, Short Haul Operations, Water Bucket Tactics) delivered on-site or at ARS facilities; and sustainment/maintenance services under multi-year defense contracts, including a $45.6M five-year sole-source IDIQ awarded to parent Vita Inclinata by the U.S. Army Utility Helicopter Program Office. International distribution is channel-led via Aquaterro in Australia, while U.S. distribution runs on direct enterprise field sales plus e-commerce. ARS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vita Inclinata Technologies, operates under an ISO 9001:2015 quality system, and holds FAA, NFPA, ANSI, and multi-branch military airworthiness certifications that gate access to defense procurement.

Name

ARS

Legal name

Air Rescue Systems Corporation

Website

https://airrescuesystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Air Rescue Systems designs, manufactures, and trains on helicopter hoist equipment — anchored by the Vita Rescue System's active stabilization technology — for U.S. military, state agencies like CAL FIRE, and allied emergency-services buyers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerial Rescue Equipment and Training

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Flight Training (611512)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Modeling, Simulation, Digital Twins & Mission Rehearsal Systems (IMABAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

EMS Education, Training & Simulation Centers (HLAFANAL), VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms (IMABAIAC)

Keywords

• Helicopter rescue equipment
• Search and rescue training
• Hoist operation systems
• Aerial firefighting equipment
• Military rescue gear

Headquarters

HQ city

Ashland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Product Sales: Sale of proprietary helicopter rescue equipment including the Vita Rescue System, harnesses, gloves, extraction devices, and various safety gear. Products sold directly through e-commerce and via enterprise sales for government/military contracts.
2. Training Services: Custom, comprehensive helicopter rescue training courses including Fluid-Dynamic Hoist operations, Short Haul Operations, Water Bucket Tactics, and mission-specific programs tailored to agency requirements.
3. Sustainment and Maintenance Support: Ongoing support and maintenance services for deployed Vita Rescue Systems across Department of Defense agencies under the $45.6M IDIQ contract.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Air Rescue Systems manufactures and sells field-proven helicopter rescue equipment and delivers custom helicopter rescue training courses worldwide. The product line centers on the Vita Rescue System (VRS), an intelligent lifting device with autonomous load stabilization, alongside rescue extraction devices, harnesses, gloves, and safety/anchor equipment for hoist operations. Training services cover Fluid-Dynamic Hoist, Short Haul Operations, and Water Bucket Tactics, delivered to military, government, and public safety agencies.

Product overview

Air Rescue Systems provides an integrated ecosystem of advanced technology, comprehensive helicopter rescue training, and field-proven equipment for search-and-rescue hoist operations. The core product portfolio centers on the Vita Rescue System (VRS), an intelligent lifting device with active load stabilization, alongside rescue extraction devices (ARES, APED, ARV-QC), personal protective equipment (Gauntlet Gloves, 338 Heli-Ops Harness), hoist assist devices (2-UP, 2-UP Equalizer), fall protection equipment (Air Reach Seat, PRL Set, Hoist Safety Lanyard), safety devices (Heli-Bridle PSD, Fast Break QRD), anchor devices (HELA Rigs, Primary Anchor, Human Anchor Plate), and helicopter operations accessories. The company also offers instructor-led training programs including Fluid-Dynamic Hoist, Short Haul Operations, and Water Bucket Tactics courses. All products are manufactured under ISO 9001:2015 quality management and many hold military airworthiness certifications and FAA approvals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vita Rescue System (VRS) Intelligent lifting solution for helicopter hoist operations featuring bi-directional electric propulsion, thrust vectoring measuring 1,000+ data points per second, wireless pendant control up to 1,000+ feet, and cold-swappable Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries. Designed for military, government, and public safety search-and-rescue hoist missions.
• ARES (Air Rescue Extraction System) Patent pending lightweight, modular victim extraction device with integrated SLS flight bar that simplifies bag position adjustment and increases lift support angle during helicopter rescue operations.
• APED (Advanced Pediatric Extraction Device) First full support and immobilization pediatric helicopter extraction system for children from newborn to 50 lbs / up to 42 inches, providing rapid application, stability, and safety during pediatric helicopter rescue with patent-pending SLS stabilization system.
• ARV-QC (Air Rescue Vest Quick Connect) Rescue vest with pivoting Key-Lock lift system made of lightweight multi-composite materials, rated to 4,000 lbs MBS, one size fits all harness for persons 35-400 lbs. Berry Amendment Compliant with NSN #8415-01-691-6693.
• Gauntlet Hoist Operators Glove Heavy-duty cut-resistant leather glove for hoist operations meeting U.S. Army Aviation Rescue Hoist SOP requirements, 5x more cut resistant than Kevlar, designed for lubricated and non-lubricated cables.
• Winter Gauntlet Hoist Operator Glove Winter version of the Gauntlet glove with wind blocker outer layer, 100 grams Thinsulate insulation, and breathable design that minimizes thermal loss while maintaining dexterity for cold-weather hoist operations.
• 338 Heli-Ops Harness World's lightest Class III TSO C-167 Personal Carrying Device System harness at 3 lbs 15 oz, certified for hoist/winch, short haul, skid insertion/extraction, and heli-rappel operations. UL certified to NFPA 1983-2012 and meets ANSI/OSHA/CSA standards.
• Air Reach Seat Platform seat for helicopter-based lineman operations that increases comfort and safety while decreasing fatigue during extended utility helicopter operations. Available in single or double passenger configurations.
• Hoist Safety Lanyard Safety lanyard for hoist operations available in multiple aircraft-specific configurations (MD900, Bell 429, UH60, AStar HAP) in lengths 46-52 inches with shock stop option.
• Fast Break QRD Multi-purpose Quick Release Device and weak-link for tag lines and off-set lift control systems, separating at 400 lbs of force, with Kong Tango carabiners and Ronstan quick release.
• Cable Buddy Hoist cable inspection tool for pre- and post-flight use allowing weighted cable inspections, cleaning, and lubrication; fits all airframe sizes and configurations.
• Heli-Bridle PSD Portable Safety Device for capture of human cargo in event of separation from primary external load carriage system; only portable safety device meeting FAA InfoDoc 12015 requirements.
• HELA Rigs (Human External Load Anchor) Anchor rigs built specifically for helicopter short-haul HEC operations with integrated load sharing plate for increased separation and safety core webbing that indicates structural damage.
• Primary Anchor Customizable single-person anchor installable to rated aircraft anchor points with anchor redundancy via load sharing across two anchor points maintaining a 120-degree vector angle; approved by U.S. Forest Service.
• Fluid-Dynamic Hoist Operations Training Custom helicopter rescue training course covering Fluid-Dynamic Hoist operations with structured daily progression to ensure task mastery; tailored for military, government, and public safety helicopter crews.
• Short Haul Operations Training High-level, comprehensive real-life training for rescue specialists working in, around, and under helicopters engaging in human external cargo (HEC) search and rescue operations.
• Water Bucket Tactics Training 5-day helicopter water bucket tactics training for firefighting operations, combining classroom didactic learning with hands-on skills training and live flight operations for initial and intermediate water bucket tactics.

Quantifiable outcome

• Eliminates spin in under three seconds during hoist operations
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• AquaterrocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 November 2025Aquaterro partnered with Air Rescue Systems as the official Australian distributor for the Vita Rescue System (VRS). With over three decades of experience supplying mission-critical equipment to Australia's defense, law enforcement, and emergency services, Aquaterro brings world-leading rescue innovations to helicopter hoist operations across Australia.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Vita Inclinata Technologies: Vita Inclinata Technologies is the parent company of Air Rescue Systems and the original developer of the Vita Rescue System's load stabilization technology, with industrial and aerospace divisions. Included as a peer given shared underlying IP and overlapping commercialization across load stabilization applications.

Direct peers

• Onboard Systems: Onboard Systems designs and manufactures helicopter external load equipment including cargo hooks, suspended load equipment, and human external cargo systems. Highly comparable to ARS's anchor devices, HELA Rigs, and human external cargo products.
• Simmonds Aerocessories: Simmonds Aerocessories manufactures helicopter external load and rescue equipment including cargo nets, rescue strops, and human external cargo accessories. Directly comparable to ARS's harness, extraction, and accessory products serving SAR and military operators.
• Breeze-Eastern (Moog Inc.): Breeze-Eastern, now part of Moog, is a leading manufacturer of helicopter rescue hoists and external cargo systems for military and civilian operators. It is the most direct competitor to ARS's VRS stabilization and ARES extraction products in the helicopter rescue equipment category.

Broad incumbents

• PHI Aviation: PHI Aviation is one of the world's largest helicopter operators providing offshore, air medical, and search-and-rescue services globally. Comparable as a major buyer-side counterpart for helicopter rescue equipment and as an operator of crew training programs similar to ARS's training services.
• Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell Aerospace manufactures search, detection, navigation, and guidance systems for aviation platforms including autopilots and stabilization systems. Relevant as a broad incumbent in aeronautical guidance and control systems that could enter the load stabilization category ARS addresses.
• Stanley Aviation (TransDigm / Honeywell): Stanley Aviation, now part of TransDigm's portfolio, manufactures helicopter restraint systems, troop seats, and crew safety equipment for military rotorcraft. Comparable to ARS's PRL Set, Hoist Safety Lanyard, and Crew Restraint Anchor System product lines serving the same military rotorcraft customer base.
• Dart Aerospace: Dart Aerospace is a major helicopter accessories manufacturer offering a broad portfolio of skid gear, rescue equipment, and utility products. It overlaps with ARS across rescue devices and accessories but operates at significantly broader scale across many helicopter equipment categories.
• LifePort (Sikorsky / Lockheed Martin): LifePort, a Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin) brand, manufactures medical interior systems and human anchor systems for helicopters including H125 Life Port rails referenced in ARS's Human Anchor Plate product. Comparable at the level of helicopter cabin anchor and patient handling equipment.

Regional players

• C-Tec AG (now part of Airbus Helicopters ecosystem): C-Tec AG and similar European helicopter hoist and rescue equipment specialists serve SAR and HEMS operators primarily in Europe. Comparable to ARS in product category and customer type but operates predominantly outside the U.S. and Australian markets where ARS is concentrated.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/airrescuesystems
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/air-rescue-systems
• Instagraminstagram.com/air_rescue_systems

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ARS