MSA Safety launches A1X: The next-generation WinGrip vacuum anchor for aircraft maintenance

MSA Safety has announced the launch of the A1X™, its latest WinGrip® vacuum anchor designed to make aircraft maintenance safer, faster, and more versatile. The WinGrip® A1X™ vacuum anchor represents the latest evolution of MSA’s proven WinGrip® AIO (all-in-one) system, offering a lighter and more compact solution that meets the demands of modern aircraft maintenance operations.

Designed for the way maintenance teams work

The A1X vacuum anchor creates a secure, non-invasive anchor point on aircraft wing surfaces using vacuum suction technology. It is designed to allow maintenance technicians to work safely on wings and fuselages without damaging the aircraft. The A1X vacuum anchor operates using refillable air or gas cylinders that generate the suction required for the anchor points.

Developed in close collaboration with customers and refined from real-world feedback from maintenance teams, the A1X vacuum anchor is specifically designed to remove the practical barriers that prevent teams from deploying fall protection equipment in the field.

Weighing just 7 kg (35% lighter than its predecessor) and with a reduced diameter of 350 mm (instead of 480 mm), the A1X vacuum anchor is more portable and easier to handle than previous generations. The redesigned pneumatic system doubles the number of anchor repositionings that can be achieved with a single cylinder, reducing the need to carry spare cylinders and optimizing the workflow for technicians working under time constraints.

Greater compatibility with aircraft

One of the most significant advancements of the A1X vacuum anchor is its enhanced compatibility. The reduced pad diameter allows the A1X vacuum anchor to be used on smaller aircraft that were previously incompatible with WinGrip technology, including executive jets, private planes, and commercial aircraft. The A1X vacuum anchor is approved by leading aircraft manufacturers, such as Airbus and Boeing, giving maintenance teams the confidence to implement it as part of their standard procedures.

Designed for any environment

The A1X vacuum anchor is designed to operate without electronic components, allowing for safe use in environments where fuel vapors may be present, such as during refueling operations. With no electrical components, the A1X vacuum anchor poses no ignition risk. An integrated audible alarm system provides real-time status information, and the unit maintains its seal even in the event of a flow interruption.

Completely self-contained within its dedicated pneumatic cylinder, the A1X vacuum anchor requires no external air supply or fixed infrastructure, making it equally effective in a maintenance hangar, on the platform, or in a remote location. It is designed to operate reliably in a wide range of environmental conditions, from high-altitude installations to hot and cold climates.

Designed specifically for A and B revisions

The WinGrip A1X vacuum anchor is optimized for line maintenance and standardized A and B overhaul operations in the aviation industry. During A and B overhauls, where speed and flexibility are paramount, the A1X vacuum anchor’s portability allows a single technician to independently deploy and reposition one of the two anchor points without requiring overhead lifeline infrastructure or additional personnel. For larger-scale C and D overhaul operations requiring multiple workers on the wing simultaneously, MSA’s WinGrip full lifeline systems remain available.

Customer-driven innovation for aircraft maintenance

“The A1X vacuum anchor was developed based on feedback from those who use WinGrip every day,” said José Sánchez, senior vice president of MSA Safety and president of EMEA Business. “We know that if a tool isn’t used, it doesn’t protect anyone, so we focused on removing any barriers between the technician and their safety equipment. The result is the most capable and portable WinGrip anchor we’ve ever made, compatible with a wider range of aircraft than any previous generation. In an industry where every minute counts, we believe the A1X vacuum anchor sets a new standard for working at height on aircraft.”

The A1X vacuum anchor includes two anchor points: one as the main unit within the WinGrip kit, and a secondary anchor for triangulated configurations; a pneumatic cylinder; a pressure line; and personal protective equipment. Each kit can be customized to meet specific customer requirements.

Available and on display at MRO Europe

The A1X vacuum anchor will be showcased at MRO Europe in October 2026, where the MSA Safety team will be available for product demonstrations and customized briefings.

For more information on the A1X vacuum anchor, click here .

About MSA Safety

MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA) is a global leader in advanced safety products, technologies, and solutions. Driven by its unique safety mission, the company has been at the forefront of safety innovation since 1914, protecting workers and facility infrastructure worldwide across a wide range of diverse end markets, while creating sustainable shareholder value. With projected revenues of $1.9 billion in 2025, MSA Safety is headquartered in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, and employs a team of more than 5,300 associates in over 40 international locations. For more information, visit www.MSASafety.com .