An energy absorbing landing gear system for attachment to a vertical landing apparatus, the energy absorbing landing gear system comprising: a linear damper assembly; and a load limiter assembly coupled to the linear damper assembly, the load limiter assembly having: - a tubular fitting incorporating at least one deformable element to enhance an energy absorption capability, the at least one deformable element comprising two deformable elements (130a, 130b) aligned opposite each other on the tubular fitting, each of the two deformable elements (130a, 130b) having a through opening; and - a pin inserted through each through opening of the two deformable elements (130a, 130b), and the pin further coupled to the linear damper assembly, wherein when the energy absorbing landing gear system is configured to be attached to the vertical landing apparatus, during a landing phase, the linear damper assembly contacts a landing surface, and a piston assembly of the linear damper assembly moves a first compression distance toward the load limiter assembly, and when the linear damper assembly reaches a maximum compression, the linear damper assembly moves a second compression distance into the load limiter assembly, and the at least one deformable element deforms, and when the linear damper assembly moves into the load limiter assembly, the pin tears through the two deformable elements (130a, 130b) to deform the two deformable elements (130a, 130b). a linear damper assembly; and a load limiter assembly coupled to the linear damper assembly, the load limiter assembly having: - a tubular fitting incorporating at least one deformable element to enhance an energy absorption capability, the at least one deformable element comprising two deformable elements (130a, 130b) aligned opposite each other on the tubular fitting, each of the two deformable elements (130a, 130b) having a through opening; and - a pin inserted through each through opening of the two deformable elements (130a, 130b), and the pin further coupled to the linear damper assembly, - a tubular fitting incorporating at least one deformable element to enhance an energy absorption capability, the at least one deformable element comprising two deformable elements (130a, 130b) aligned opposite each other on the tubular fitting, each of the two deformable elements (130a, 130b) having a through opening; and - a pin inserted through each through opening of the two deformable elements (130a, 130b), and the pin further coupled to the linear damper assembly, wherein when the energy absorbing landing gear system is configured to be attached to the vertical landing apparatus, during a landing phase, the linear damper assembly contacts a landing surface, and a piston assembly of the linear damper assembly moves a first compression distance toward the load limiter assembly, and when the linear damper assembly reaches a maximum compression, the linear damper assembly moves a second compression distance into the load limiter assembly, and the at least one deformable element deforms, and when the linear damper assembly moves into the load limiter assembly, the pin tears through the two deformable elements (130a, 130b) to deform the two deformable elements (130a, 130b).