Crew Escape Capsule to Airframe Latch/Disconnect Mechanisms.

Todays ejection seats still have performance shortfalls in the high speed regime typical of jet combat operations. These inadequancies are reflected in the increased incidence of aircrew injury when ejection occurs at speeds above 450 knots. An alternative approach, operational in the F-111 aircraft, is that of the jettisonable crew escape capsule. Although providing improved aircrew survivability during high speed ejection, the F-111 capsule design has proven to be maintenance intensive. The capsule-to-airframe interface involves pyrotechnic devices which destroy the interface upon ejection. Therefore, inspection and maintenance procedures require extensive hardware disassembly. In an effort to reduce the complexity of these procedures, simplify the structural interface, reduce life cycle costs, and facilitate removal and replacement of the capsule at the operational level, a non-destructive, mechanical latch interface has been proposed. This report describes the development of several mechanical latch concepts for use in proposed escape capsuleairframe interface. A detailed evaluation of these concepts is culminated by the development of a preferred design concept recommended for detailed development and prototype demonstration. Keywords Jet fighters Escape capsule latches Disconnect fittings.