I am not very aware of the normal configuration of Marine choppers. Can someone make a comment on auto deployment of life rafts?
Not sure, but I know that back in the 80s Boeing had a successful program to build an auto deploying raft for the 46.
The thinking being that upside down, sinking, usually in the dark by that point even in daylight, its hard enough for people to egress, much less physically deploy a raft that’s stowed inside.
Id like to hear from an up to date 53 man, but hard to imagine it doesn’t have a self deploying system of some sort. But I guess it could have been the result of disintegration too. Waiting for someone with the straight dope.