What ASST does

ASST (Active Safety System Technologies Inc) is a Michigan-based aerospace company developing proprietary safety and protection technologies for two primary markets: military armored vehicles and eVTOL aircraft. The company operates through two divisions: Advanced Blast & Ballistic Systems (ABBS) for vehicle protection, and Active VTOL Crash Prevention (AVCP) for eVTOL safety. Core technology centers on patented Linear Rocket Motors (LRM) that generate controlled impulse forces within milliseconds to counteract blast effects, integrated into systems including Vehicle Global Acceleration Mitigation (VGAM), Vehicle Active Floor System (VAFS), and Composite Reinforced Belly Plate (CRBP) for armored vehicles, and Emergency Descent Arrest System (EDAS) retro-rockets for eVTOL aircraft.

The company's product portfolio spans the VGAM system capable of providing up to 1,000 tonnes of artificial mass during blast events, the EDAS zero-altitude zero-speed safety system for eVTOLs developed with Aviation Safety Resources, AI-powered Video/AI Look-Down System for emergency landing identification, GPS denial mitigation, crashworthy energy-absorbing seats, and concept-stage platforms including mine-resilient DT-UGVs and the Dragon Minefield Breaching Vehicle. ASST holds multiple granted patents on LRM, VGAM, and VAFS technologies, with additional applications pending on UGV designs and 4D Radar/GPR technology through partner Cavonix.

ASST generates revenue through defense technology licensing, government R&D contracts, and direct sales to defense contractors and eVTOL manufacturers. Disclosed commercial activity includes a $268,000 US Army GVSC order for LRM testing under a CRADA agreement. The company pursues government R&D funding via DASA, US Army CRADA agreements, and Congressional Directed Medical Research Programme proposals. ASST operates as the US entity within a dual-entity structure with UK-based ABBS, with shared CEO Roger Sloman. The company is actively fundraising via Wefunder crowdfunding to support North American market development and participates in defense industry conferences (International Armoured Vehicle Conference, EUROCAE/EASA committees) to shape emerging eVTOL certification standards.

Name

ASST

Legal name

Active Safety System Technologies Inc

Website

https://asst-technologies.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Safety Systems

NAICS

Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component Manufacturing (336992), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)

akta.pro primary industry

Electric & Hybrid-Electric Propulsion (eVTOL/Regional) (IMABADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Armored Engineering & Breaching Vehicles (Combat Engineering Vehicles) (IMABAJAG), Occupant Restraint Systems Manufacturing (Airbags/Seatbelts/Pretensioners/Load Limiters) (IMACAMAA)

Keywords

• Armored vehicle protection
• EVTOL safety systems
• Blast mitigation technology
• Mine resistant vehicles
• Emergency descent systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Shelby

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Defense Technology Licensing and Sales: ASST generates revenue through licensing its patented technologies (LRM, VGAM, CRBP, VAFS) to defense contractors and vehicle manufacturers, as well as direct sales of protection systems to armed forces and government agencies.
2. eVTOL Safety Systems: Revenue from selling safety systems (EDAS, crashworthy seats, AI landing systems) to eVTOL aircraft manufacturers for integration into new aircraft.
3. R&D Funding and Government Contracts: ASST pursues R&D funding from government sources including DASA (UK), US Army GVSC CRADA agreements, and DoD programs. The company was awarded $268,000 from US Army GVSC for LRM testing and participates in Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programme proposals worth up to £4m.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ASST designs, patents, and sells proprietary safety and protection technologies for armored vehicles and eVTOL aircraft. Its armored vehicle portfolio (marketed through ABBS) includes Vehicle Global Acceleration Mitigation (VGAM), Vehicle Active Floor System (VAFS), Composite Reinforced Belly Plate (CRBP), energy-absorbing crashworthy seats, and mine-resilient uncrewed ground vehicles, all centered on patented Linear Rocket Motor (LRM) technology. Its eVTOL Safety Eco-System includes the Emergency Descent Arrest System (EDAS), Video/AI Look-Down landing site identification, crashworthy seats, and GPS denial mitigation, marketed to eVTOL aircraft manufacturers.

Product overview

ASST (Active Safety System Technologies) offers a comprehensive portfolio of proprietary safety and protection technologies organized into two core divisions: Advanced Blast & Ballistic Systems (ABBS) for armored vehicle protection, and Active VTOL Crash Prevention (AVCP) for eVTOL/aircraft safety. The ABBS suite includes the VGAM (Vehicle Global Acceleration Mitigation) system using patented Linear Rocket Motors, the VAFS (Vehicle Active Floor System), the CRBP (Composite Reinforced Belly Plate), and energy absorbing seats—all working together to protect vehicle occupants from mine blast and IED threats. The AVCP division provides the Safety Eco-System for eVTOL aircraft comprising the Emergency Descent Arrest System (EDAS), Video/AI Look-Down System for emergency landing identification, crashworthy seats, and GPS denial mitigation. ASST also develops mine-resilient uncrewed ground vehicles (DT-UGV) and the Dragon Minefield Breaching Vehicle concept. The company operates primarily in the defense and aerospace sectors, with strong partnerships including collaboration with Aviation Safety Resources for EDAS development and an Israeli supplier for crashworthy seats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advanced Blast & Ballistic Systems (ABBS) Active and passive protection systems for armored vehicles to ensure mine blasts and IEDs are survivable, offering 360-degree protection against all threats. The portfolio includes VGAM, VAFS, CRBP, and crashworthy seats marketed to armed forces and defense vehicle manufacturers.
• Active VTOL Crash Prevention (AVCP) / eVTOL Safety Eco-System Integrated safety system for VTOL aircraft, drones, and light aircraft combining ballistic recovery parachutes, AI-powered emergency landing site identification, and crashworthy seats to protect occupants and the public in the event of an eVTOL emergency.
• Emergency Descent Arrest System (EDAS) Zero Altitude-Zero Speed safety system for eVTOL aircraft that combines parachutes and retro-rockets with specific sequences for each emergency circumstance to control descent rate and achieve a safe, soft landing when standard parachutes are ineffective.
• Video/AI Look-Down System Computer vision and AI system that continuously views the ground under the eVTOL flight path to identify the best current landing sites, and can report via 5G to central control to update status of pre-designated and ad-hoc emergency landing sites.
• Military GPS Denial of Service Mitigation System AI-based video-matching navigation system that provides GPS-independent location and situational awareness for armored vehicles and eVTOL aircraft by matching current aerial views with previously stored views, countering GPS disruption and spoofing.
• Vehicle Global Acceleration Mitigation (VGAM) Patented active protection system using Linear Rocket Motors to counteract mine blast lifting forces within milliseconds, preventing armored vehicles from being thrown into the air; can provide up to 1,000 tonnes of artificial mass for 20-30 ms during IED explosions.
• Vehicle Active Floor System (VAFS) Patented automatically re-setting active floor that uses energetic effectors to pull the floor away from occupants within milliseconds during floor shock events, reducing transmission of shock loading to lower limbs and feet and preventing lower-limb injuries.
• Composite Reinforced Belly Plate (CRBP) Energy-absorbing flat sandwich belly plate using steel and composite materials to minimize deformation and reduce blast impulse transfer; withstands 4 kg TNT-equivalent buried charges and provides up to 40% weight reduction versus standard armored steel belly plates.
• Energy Absorbing Crashworthy Seats Ergonomically designed stroking seats with patented energy-absorbing mechanisms that protect against rapid deceleration and high-G loading for armored vehicles and eVTOL/aircraft occupants; manufactured from advanced materials using unique in-house processes.
• Mine-Resilient Uncrewed Ground Vehicles (DT-UGV) Family of damage-tolerant uncrewed ground vehicles with a spaceframe structure and twin armored V-hulls, multiple redundancy, hybrid electric power, hub drive to all wheels, and inherent mine resistance; designed for CASEVAC, logistics, and pathfinder roles.
• 4D Radar and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for defense autonomy Advanced radar technology for UGV autonomy developed by partner Cavonix/AIM Technologies that operates in water, mud, and dust conditions where cameras and LiDAR fail; marketed exclusively to defense markets by ASST/ABBS under current patent applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Vehicle jump height reduced to 0.3 metres over 6kg TNT-equivalent buried mine blast (vs 4-20m without protection)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Israeli Energy-Absorbing Seat SuppliercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2021Agreement with world-leading Israeli supplier of energy-absorbing seats for armored vehicles and offshore racing power boats. The supplier is developing crashworthy seats for Urban Air Mobility aircraft and light aircraft for ASST to sell. The seats feature patented energy absorbing mechanism and ergonomic design with weight under 6.5kg.
• Cavonix and AIM TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationASST's UK group partner ABBS has exclusive rights to market and sell Cavonix 4D Radar and Ground Penetrating Radar technology to defense markets. Cavonix is part of AIM Technologies operation dealing with ground vehicle autonomy systems, with applications on both UGVs and UAS (drones). The technology addresses UGV autonomy problems in challenging military environments where cameras and LiDAR fail.
• Aviation Safety Resources (ASR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance with US-based Aviation Safety Resources to develop Emergency Descent Arrest System (EDAS) for eVTOL aircraft. ASR provides ballistic parachute recovery systems while ASST/ABBS provides rocket motors, sensors, control units, and initiation systems. Both companies market and provide technical support for the systems.
• Leading UK eVTOL ManufacturersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory support from leading UK eVTOL manufacturers and a major flight control system supplier for Video/AI Look-Down System development. All four Civil Aviation Authorities approached were positive about the concept.
• BAe SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiscussions with leading UK defense drone business (acquired by BAe Systems earlier in 2024) for collaborative development agreement on Counter-UAS technology using 4D Radar/AI system.
• Leading UK Defense Company (CASEVAC Project)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject with major UK defense company on retrorocket and parachute safety system for CASEVAC drones. Project delayed but company remains keen to proceed. ASST proposed patent licensing for European exclusivity.
• US Army GVSC (Ground Vehicle Survivability Centre)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-operative R&D Agreement (CRADA) with US Army GVSC for developing VGAM and VAFS technologies. Systems Engineer at GVSC manages all US participants in US Army UGV development programme, providing excellent entry point to US market.
• Warren N. Hardy, PhD (VT Center for Injury Biomechanics)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPotential project contributor for Traumatic Brain Injury R&D proposal. Director of VT Center for Injury Biomechanics may be willing to lead next year's Congressional Directed Medical Research Programme proposal with alternative research approach using surrogate skulls with internal sensors.
• Graphene CompositesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreement in place to explore potential benefits of incorporating graphene technology into ABBS products. Specific options being discussed for graphene-enhanced belly plates.
• Leading TBI SpecialistsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with leading Traumatic Brain Injury experts to investigate causes of TBI in armored vehicles subject to mine blasts without hull penetration. Joint research project proposed to DoD.
• South African Vehicle Company (UK Subsidiary)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK subsidiary of South African parent company (invested over 7 years in tactical vehicles) enquiring about belly plate design and VGAM system for Toyota 79 chassis-based vehicles. Bidding for large South African contract for 400+ vehicles.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Broad incumbents

• Garmin (Aerospace): Major avionics and safety systems supplier to general aviation and increasingly eVTOL/UAM platforms. Comparable as an integrated cockpit and safety system incumbent whose seat/certification footprint overlaps with ASST's eVTOL Safety Eco-System.
• Elbit Systems: Israeli defense electronics and survivability systems house, including active protection and armored vehicle subsystems. Comparable broad incumbent in the same vehicle survivability market ASST addresses with VGAM and VAFS.
• Honeywell Aerospace: Supplier of avionics, flight controls, and safety systems widely used across eVTOL and urban air mobility programs. Comparable broad incumbent positioned to compete for or partner on the integrated safety bundle ASST is building.
• Rafael Advanced Defense Systems: Developer of the Trophy active protection system (APS) for armored vehicles. Comparable as a broader defense incumbent with active protection / counter-IED capabilities that complement ASST's VGAM in the same vehicle protection market.
• BAE Systems (Land & Armaments): Global defense prime producing armored combat vehicles and survivability systems. Comparable as a likely integrator/acquirer of ASST-style active protection and counter-IED technologies, with whom ASST is in discussions.

Direct peers

• NP Aerospace: UK-based provider of armored vehicle protection systems, including blast-mitigation seats and composite armor panels. Directly comparable to ASST's ABBS division on occupant protection and belly-plate offerings for military vehicles.
• Aviation Safety Resources: US-based supplier of ballistic parachute recovery systems for light aircraft and eVTOLs. Direct co-development partner with ASST on EDAS and a natural peer in the eVTOL whole-aircraft parachute safety segment.
• Milrem Robotics: Estonian developer of mine-resistant unmanned ground vehicles (THeMIS) for CASEVAC, logistics, and route clearance. Closely comparable to ASST's DT-UGV family and Dragon minefield breaching concept.
• Plasan Sasa: Israeli manufacturer of composite armor kits, belly plates, and crew protection systems for armored vehicles. Closely comparable to ASST's CRBP and active/passive blast protection portfolio.

Others

• Rheinmetall: German defense prime with active protection, armored vehicle, and soldier systems portfolios. Already in approach discussions with ASST; directly comparable on integrating active blast-mitigation technologies into next-generation combat vehicles.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 ASST