Fabric lining contains blast in hold

Fly-Bag combines fabrics that have high strength and impact and heat resistance

A bomb-proof lining has successfully contained the blasts of a series of controlled explosions in the luggage hold of a Boeing 747 and an Airbus 321.

The Fly-Bag, which lines an aircraft’s luggage hold with multiple layers of novel fabrics and composites, was tested under increasing explosive charges on disused planes at Cotswold Airport, near Cirencester, last month.

The tests demonstrated that a plane’s hold can contain the force of an explosion if a device concealed within luggage is detonated during a flight.

After the tests, explosives were placed in the aircraft without the lining to show the damage that could be caused.

The Fly-Bag combines fabrics that have high strength and impact and heat resistance. The fabrics include Aramid, which is used in ballistic body armour.

Dr Andy Tyas, from the department of civil and structural engineering at the University of Sheffield, who is leading the research project, said: “Key to the concept is that the lining is flexible. This adds to its resilience when containing the explosive force and any fragments produced. 

“The Fly-Bag acts as a membrane rather than as a rigid-walled container which might shatter on impact.

“The purpose of these tests was to investigate how the concept works in the confines of a real aircraft, and the results are extremely promising.”