Our History
The POWER HAWK® P-16 Rescue System… an innovation born from a history that has a direct lineage back to man’s historic first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1903 to the latest stealth fighter technology!
power hawk technologies, inc, a snap-on company
The pioneering and innovative spirit of Orville and Wilbur Wright and Glenn H. Curtiss came together in 1929 to form the Curtiss-Wright Corporation, who went on to become one of the largest aircraft and engine manufacturing companies in the world. Curtiss-Wright pioneered concepts in aircraft technology which gave the United States air combat superiority during WWII, including the famous P-40 War Hawk fighter and the Cyclone radial engine used to power the B-17 Flying Fortress.
In the decades that followed, Curtiss-Wright transformed some its core propeller gear and motor technologies into high-force, light-weight actuation systems used to move various components on aircraft such as the F-22, F-16, F-18, F-14, Space Shuttle, V-22, Black Hawk, Sea Hawk, C-5, 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, L1011 and others.
These flight actuation systems include leading-edge and trailing-edge flaps, landing gear, canopy actuators, cargo doors, weapons bay doors, trim servos and more, many of which utilize Curtiss-Wright’s revolutionary “Power Hinge®” gear technology.
It was in the early 1990’s that one of Curtiss-Wright Flight Systems’ employees from its Fairfield New Jersey Facility – William R. Hickerson, also a volunteer firefighter, invented the idea to utilize the Curtiss Wright Power Hinge to create a portable battery-powered “Jaws-type” rescue tool that eliminated hydraulics completely.
By doing this, the problems and hazards associated with the hydraulic rescue tools that Bill was familiar with would be eliminated (such as the heaviness of existing tools, high-pressure hydraulic lines susceptible to leaks and rupturing, gasoline engine fuels and fumes, loud noise levels, and special stowage requirements). After research and validation, Curtiss-Wright decided to invest into transforming its Power Hinge gear technology once again… this time to help firefighters save lives.
In 1994, utilizing the same gears that drive the leading edge flaps on the F-16 Fighting Falcon and 12 Volts DC power, the Power Hawk P-16 Rescue System was introduced for the first time at the FDIC Show in Cincinnati, Ohio!
In 2019, Snap-on Incorporated (NYSE: SNA), a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, equipment, diagnostics, repair information and systems solutions for professional users performing critical tasks, acquired Power Hawk Technologies, Inc. (“Power Hawk”). Power Hawk designs, manufactures and distributes rescue tools and related equipment for a variety of military, governmental, and fire, rescue and emergency operations. Power Hawk will be part of the company’s Power Tools Division. The acquisition enhances and expands Snap-on’s capabilities in providing solutions that make work easier for serious professionals who apply their skills in workplaces of consequence, where the costs and penalties of failure are high.
THE POWER HAWK
RESCUE SYSTEM
Since its introduction, the Power Hawk Rescue System continues to save lives around the world, offering unique features and capabilities that go well beyond traditional hydraulic rescue tools.
The Power Hawk product line continues to expand, adding more and more versatility for getting jobs done. At the turn of the new millennium, the Team of employees who invented, developed, and operated the Power Hawk business segment at Curtiss-Wright took advantage of a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity to bring their passion and commitment to the business to an even higher level.
In March of 2004, the Team purchased the Power Hawk business segment from Curtiss-Wright (which also included the SWENCH line of manual impact wrenches) through a successful management buyout, creating the new 100% employee-owned company called Power Hawk Technologies Inc. (PHT).
In 2006, PHT introduced the AUTO CRIB-IT, a new automatic vehicle stabilization tool for auto-extrication. The AUTO CRIB-IT was invented by Bill Hickerson as a solution to the problem of bulky and heavy stepchocks that are currently being used by rescuers. The AUTO CRIB-IT was voted the No. 1 HOT PRODUCT for 2007 by JEMS during the EMS Today Expo in Baltimore.
Located in northern New Jersey, PHT owns the patents and trademarks for and is the manufacturer of the Power Hawk® P-16 Rescue System, Power Pusher® Rams, Auto Crib-It™ Stabilization Tool and SWENCH® line of Manual Impact Wrenches.
Curtiss-Wright Flight Systems continues to be a major supporter and business partner, providing PHT with the Power Hinge gears that are the ‘muscle’ behind the Power Hawk’s enormous strength. Power Hawk Technologies’ commitment to providing solutions to its customers with innovative and high-quality products, and outstanding customer support has never been stronger.
In 2016 Power Hawk partnered with RESQTEC headquartered in The Netherlands. RESQTEC is a global manufacturer of Rescue Tool, Lifting Bags and Stabilization Struts.
In 2019 Snap-on purchased Power Hawk.
Historical events
SEPTEMBER 2001 – A Tribute to a Fallen Hero, and a Good Friend...
SEPTEMBER 2001 – Supporting the Call to Duty.
A personal account of Curtiss-Wright Power Hawk's Rescue Assistance Operation at The World Trade Center and The Pentagon…
SEPTEMBER 2001 – Curtiss-Wright Donates Power Hawk Rescue Systems to Help Save Lives at The World Trade Center and The Pentagon…
POWER HAWK® Donates
p-16 (LEGACY) Rescue Systems to Help Save Lives
at The World Trade Center and The Pentagon
All of us here at POWER HAWK® wish to extend our deepest sympathy to all those who are suffering as a result of the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001. In the face of calamity caused by a terrorist plot to weaken and demoralize our great Country, we are proud to be part of a Nation that did not succumb to such evil intentions but rather joined together in an unprecedented way to stand united and strong. Having a company history dating back to the famous aviation pioneers – Glenn H. Curtiss and Wilbur & Orville Wright, POWER HAWK® , Snap-on salutes all those who have helped during this time of great need.
With the focus on saving lives, POWER HAWK® contributed to the rescue efforts by quickly supplying and donating approximately $350,000 (30 sets) of Power Hawk® Rescue Systems and other accessory equipment to rescue teams at the World Trade Center and The Pentagon. To support these rescue teams, beginning on Day-2 Curtiss-Wright established support posts at Ground Zero and The Pentagon and manned them 24 hours a day to distribute equipment, recharge batteries, and service tools.
At Ground Zero, the Power Hawk was used as an integral part of the operations of FDNY Rescue 1, NYPD Emergency Services Unit, New York Task Force 1, Massachusetts Task Force 1, New York Regional Response Team 1, Missouri Task Force 1, Ohio Task Force 1, New Jersey Task Force 1, Pennsylvania Task Force 1, Florida Task Force 2, and California Task Force 8. At The Pentagon, Power Hawks were used extensively by Virginia Task Force 1 (Fairfax County), Virginia Task Force 2, Maryland Task Force 1, Tennessee Task Force 1, and Alexandria/ Arlington Urban Search and Rescue. The comments from these rescue teams were that the Power Hawk made a significant positive impact on their rescue and recovery operations. Because the portable gear-driven equipment is 12 volts DC powered and does not use hydraulic fluid or gasoline engines, it allowed them to successfully work in remote areas and in confined spaces, under debris, in subway tunnels, and inside buildings. The Power Hawk could safely get into places and perform jobs where their hydraulic tools could not go. In some cases hand tools were put aside and the Power Hawk was brought in to access voids by cutting and spreading grates, re-bar and steel beams, taking full advantage of the tool’s pivoting head. Since the tool makes very little noise when operating (no noise when the trigger switch is off) rescuers were better able to listen for victims and communicate with each other. Cordless Reciprocating Saws and other tools were used often by rescuers, powered from POWER HAWK® battery packs to significantly increase tool run-time.
The tragic events of September 11 makes clear the need to adapt the use of rescue tools to improve the efficiency and probability of success in response to emergency situations never before imagined. POWER HAWK® Rescue Systems are on the job with fire departments, rescue squads, police departments, EMS and ambulance squads, government and military agencies, and industrial facilities throughout the United States and in many countries around the globe. The Power Hawk is used as an effective rescue tool for auto extrication, however, our customers continue to let us know that its versatility has allowed them to think and perform jobs beyond the limitations of conventional rescue tools. “Versatility” has been our promise from the beginning with the concept that “Rescue IS much more than auto extrication”.
During this time of shock, disbelief, and so much sadness, we are thankful that we were able to make a difference.