Capsule escape systems.

the valve forward and actuates four

The delay avoids any possibility of

exploding bolts A (11 and 12), a

the forward canopy striking the rear

0.5-second delay initiator (13), and

canopy as may occur should they

the rocket motor (14). The four

be jettisoned simultaneously.

exploding bolts are the only

(2) Capsule escape systems.

structural connections between the

(a) An escape system should allow the

nose capsule and the rest of the

crewmen to separate safely from

airframe. If for some reason the

the aircraft throughout the aircraft's

valving system (10) does not

altitude and speed range, and to

operate satisfactorily, a 1-second

descend, with the necessary

delay initiator (15), previously

survival equipment, to the earth's

actuated by the dual initiators (2

surface in a physical condition

and 3), will fire the rocket motor,

permitting him to survive and, if

structural disconnects (exploding

necessary, evade or escape enemy

bolts), and a 0.5-second delay

forces. The ejection-seat escape

initiator (16).

The rocket motor

system is effective in the region

thrust insures separation and

below 600 knots IAS (indicated air

sufficient trajectory for parachute

speed).

Beyond 600 knots, the

deployment, even in "off the

probability of a safe escape with an

runway" escapes (fig. 14).

ejection-seat escape system rapidly

(d) The purpose of the two 0.5-second

decreases. The Air Research and

delay initiators (13 and 16) is to

Development Command requires

postpone arming the parachute

that escape capsules with protective

launching sensor (17) action until

and survival devices be used in all

the rocket has propelled the capsule

new aircraft with speeds exceeding

to maximum speed. If the capsule

600 knots EAS (equivalent air

has not exceeded the safe

speed) † and operational altitudes

parachute launching speed at that

exceeding 50,000 feet.

time, the pilot chute ejector (19) is

(b) Figure 12 shows a nose capsule

fired, pulling the high and low speed

design based on the configuration of

drogue chutes (19) out into the

an F104 type aircraft. The ejectable

airstream.

The drogue chutes

nose capsule is stabilized by three

extract the heavy main parachute

swept-back, thick-wedge airfoils.

box and the main parachute is

(c) The complete escape system (fig.

deployed. At initial deployment, the

13) is set into operation by a single

main parachute is reefed so that its

operation of the pilot, the raising of

opening shock will not be too great.

his seat handle or handles (1). This

After suspension line stretch, cutting

action starts a dual initiation system

of the reefing line allows full

for all units which absolutely must

parachute deployment. If the pilot

work for a successful escape.

senses a failure of the parachute

Either or both initiators (2 and 3) fire

launching system, he can fire a

a gas generator (4) which supplies

second ejector cartridge manually

gas pressure to actuate the pilot's

(20). This is the end of the dual

body and foot restraint systems (5).

initiation sequence.

The gas generator also supplies

(e) The remaining phases which

pressure to extend the stabilizing

enhance safe escape, but are not,

wedges (6, 7, and 8).

The

absolutely necessary, are actuated

movement of the upper wedge

from single sources. At the time the

unlocks the capsule air vent (9). As

capsule starts away from the parent

soon as the top wedge (6) and

aircraft, a lanyard from the aircraft

either of the lower wedges (7 or 8)

pulls on a valve (21) in the capsule

are fully extended, they remove

allowing pressure remaining in the

stops in a valve (10). Gas from the

generator (4) then forces a shuttle in

† Equivalent air speed is the Indicated air speed corrected for compressibility. Though the difference between IAS and EAS is

negligible at low speeds and low altitudes, impact pressure upon the pitot tube at high speeds increases, causing the airspeed

indicator to show values above normal.