Onboard Systems, a leading provider of innovative helicopter cargo hook equipment, announced that MD Helicopters has awarded them a contract to begin development of a new cargo hook system for the MD Explorer® line of twin engine helicopters. The new cargo hook system will feature Onboard’s TALON® LC Hydraulic cargo hook and include a built-in Onboard Weighing System, which will display the weight of the cargo load on the new Universal Avionics Systems glass cockpit in the aircraft.

“Onboard developed our TALON LC Hydraulic release cargo hook to help eliminate inadvertent cargo releases due to improperly rigged manual release cables on a variety of aircraft,” said Karsten Lemmon, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Onboard Systems. “The new cargo hook system we are developing with MD will provide Explorer operators with greater load security, lower on-going maintenance costs and accurate, quickly accessible load weight information.”

When this project is complete, MD Helicopters will offer Onboard Systems cargo hooks across their entire line of production aircraft. In addition, the new cargo hook system will be designed to enable existing MD Explorer operators already fitted with the legacy hook system to switch over to the new hydraulic release cargo hook, if desired.

About Onboard Systems
Onboard Systems International, Inc. designs and manufactures a complete line of innovative helicopter cargo hook equipment under its TALON® brand, including belly hooks, cargo hook suspension systems, onboard weighing systems and remote hooks. Its low-weight, high quality products provide helicopter operators with increased cost efficiencies and safety through customer-driven designs, responsive service and support, and low on-going maintenance costs. Founded in 1975, Onboard Systems is a US corporation located in Vancouver, Washington.