Crew Escape Technologies (CREST) Mission Area Requirements Study Current and Future Crew Escape Requirements

The past twenty years of crew escape systems research and development has seen most of the development activity aimed at the third generation of ejection seats where performance requirements are stated MIL-S- 9479B dated March 1971. The Crew Escape Technologies CREST advanced development program is concentrating on the technologies for the development of escape systems for aircraft of the year 2000 and beyond, such as the proposed Multi-Role Fighter. Approximately ten years ago the CREST program estimated requirements for a fourth generation ejection seat and began the technology development process. Part of this effort in a CREST Specifications document which contained a compilation of the estimated fourth generation seat requirements. A reassessment and update of these requirements was needed. The main objective of the CREST Mission Area Requirements Study was to provide an updated look into the operation environment and associated required performance of the next generation of ejection systems. Rockwell Internationals North American Aircraft Division teamed with Logistics Management Engineering Incorporated IME to organize and execute a technical approach to the CREST program. Four specific tasks were accomplished in the program. Mission area requirements, CRST Escape system evaluation, Ejection seat, Escape system, Escape set, Fourth generation escape system, Third generation ejection seat evaluation.