European representative
Discuss a project
Product · inflatable structures

Inflatables & landing pads

Inflatable structures take their shape from internal pressure and internal support ribs — engineered properly, that yields light, compact parts.

Technical drawing of an inflatable landing pad

A craft of its own

Designing and manufacturing inflatable structures is a specialised craft requiring advanced engineering expertise and precision workmanship. Unlike rigid structures, the shape emerges from the interaction of internal pressure and rib configuration. Controlling those parameters carefully yields lightweight, low-bulk, compact solutions for defence, aerospace and special-purpose applications.

Red ultra-lightweight inflatable part being inflated with a blower on a workbench

Typical applications

The range runs from aerodynamics to water landings:

  • Inflatable fairings that reduce drag and improve stability.
  • Stabilising shapes for high-descent-rate cargo and falling objects, enhancing safety and control during recovery.
  • Airbags as impact protection for UAV, UGV and other platforms.
  • Landing pads for UAVs: portable, durable, for safe unmanned aircraft recovery.
  • Amphibious inflatables for waterborne operations.
  • Custom inflatable solutions, engineered for mission-specific defence and security needs.

Manufacturing

Parts are built from military-grade materials with fully traceable components in ISO 9001-certified processes. They are built for rapid deployment, high reliability and optimal performance in harsh environments — for cargo drops, UAV recovery systems, guided aerial delivery and specialised defence operations.

Platforms
Multi-rotorFixed-wing UAVVTOL recovery
Environments
Amphibious recoveryRough terrain

Technical data per manufacturer documentation from APCO Aviation Ltd , as of 2026-07-30.

Frequently asked

Asked in technical terms.

What determines the shape of an inflatable structure?

Internal pressure and the configuration of the internal support ribs. Unlike rigid parts, the shape emerges only from the interaction of both parameters. Controlled carefully, they yield lightweight, low-bulk components for defence, aerospace and special-purpose applications. Manufacturing demands engineering experience and precision workmanship, because small deviations change the resulting shape.

What are inflatables used for in recovery?

For inflatable fairings that reduce drag, stabilising shapes for high-descent-rate loads, airbags as impact protection for UAV and UGV platforms, portable landing pads for unmanned aircraft, and amphibious flotation solutions for waterborne operations. All parts are built from military-grade materials with traceable components in ISO 9001-certified processes.

Tell us what the system has to do.

Define a project