VIKING Life-Saving Equipment has announced its initial orders for the VIKING Pentagon Star, an innovative mass rescue device designed for the swift recovery of large groups from water during maritime and aviation crises. Originally developed in response to a coast guard tender, the device is now being launched commercially, having secured additional orders from Scandinavian airports.
Targeting government and professional sectors, including defense, search and rescue, and civil aviation, the Pentagon Star is engineered for low-probability, high-impact situations such as aircraft ditchings and passenger vessel emergencies. The device can be deployed from helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and rescue vessels, inflating into a floating platform that accommodates up to 100 individuals through ten access points.
Weighing approximately 60 kilograms, the Pentagon Star is considerably lighter than traditional SOLAS-compliant evacuation systems, which can weigh around 330 kilograms. When fully inflated, it measures 7.38 by 6.96 meters and can be easily handled by a single operator. Its dual-layer pentagonal design enhances accessibility, allowing evacuees to board from multiple sides, thereby minimizing congestion and improving the efficiency of search and rescue operations.
VIKING emphasizes that the Pentagon Star is designed to complement existing life-saving equipment, providing an immediate response capability that stabilizes individuals before they are transferred to conventional rescue assets. Following successful helicopter-based testing, VIKING has secured its first commercial airport contract and is conducting further tests to ensure effective deployment from fixed-wing aircraft.
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