EMERGENCY CANOPY JETTISON SYSTEM

As previously stated, the canopy external manual drive receptacle is provided to operate the canopy actuator manual drive unit from outside the cockpit. A 3/8-inch drive tool is inserted into the drive receptacle and turned 35±1 turns counterclockwise to open the canopy or clockwise to close the canopy. Manually operating the canopy overrides the mechanical brake in the canopy actuator. The brake engages to hold the canopy at any position when manual cranking is stopped. The actuator is equipped with a mechanical torque limiter that prevents damage to the actuator if excessive torque is applied to the manual backup control mode. EMERGENCY CANOPY JETTISON SYSTEM Learning Objective: Recognize the system components and procedures for emergency canopy jettison. The emergency canopy jettison system provides the capability to ballistically jettison the canopy in case of an emergency. The canopy can be jettisoned internally or externally without initiating seat ejection. It can also be jettisoned by initiating ejection. This is accomplished by pulling the ejection control handle on the ejection seat. COMPONENTS Before discussing the internal and external methods of jettisoning the canopy, a description of the system’s components is needed. External Canopy Jettison Handles And Cables The external canopy jettison handles and cables are stowed behind doors on each side of the aircraft near the radome. (See figs. 2-1 and 2-10.) Each handle is attached to approximately 8 feet of cable. The cables are routed through the gun bay and are joined to a common cable at the cockpit forward pressure bulkhead. This single, common cable runs through the bulkhead into the cockpit, where it connects to the internal canopy jettison lever linkage. Figure 2-10.-External canopy jettison handle. Internal Canopy Jettison Lever The internal canopy jettison lever is located to the left of the main instrument panel. The lever is mounted on the canopy sill. (See fig. 2-11.) The lever gives the pilot the capability of starting the emergency canopy jettison sequence from inside the cockpit. Canopy Jettison SMDC Initiator The canopy jettison shielded mild detonating cord (SMDC) initiator is located below the canopy jettison lever. The initiator receives inputs from either the internal canopy jettison lever or external canopy jettison handles to initiate the jettison sequence. One-way Transfer Valve The one-way transfer valve is located on the ballistic panel in the upper equipment bay. The transfer valve acts as a check valve to prevent the backflow of SMDC detonation to the seat components. Emergency Escape Disconnect The emergency escape disconnect is located under the canopy deck. The disconnect provides a path for SMDC detonation to the canopy 2-10