Forum: Technology

I know that most, if not all modern ejection seats are capable of zero - zero ejections (safe ejection from an aircraft sitting still on the ground) and that the canopy can be jettisoned from either inside or outside the aircraft in case of an extreme emergencies (the #$%* has really hit the fan).

I was wondering, what situations would require a zero - zero ejection? How many times has this ability been used? Has anyone here ever witnessed this? What about just jettisoning the canopy?

Also, what is the damage to the cockpit and the rest of the aircraft (just from the ejection seats and canopy jettison)? I know the damage is extensive, but I don't know just how bad it is. Also, how much does this damage usually cost to repair, assuming the rest of the aircraft is repairable?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

F-16.net Sponsor

parrothead, This was covered in another thread a while ago I think, but since I don't have a lot of time to hunt for it-

Fuel fires (during hot refueling) if out of control, brake fires that spread to fuel tanks, etc come to mind immediately. A Harrier at a British airshow many years ago had a fire on board while in a hover. He received a radio call from the tower - "Harrier, are you aware you are on fire?" "Negative, thanks for the alert." the pilot replied as he landed the aircraft. In the time it took to land the flames extended to the leading edge of the wing so he couldn't safely egress over the side. He ejected and landed safely a few dozen yards away. The seat landed in the crowd, killing one spectator.

Jettisoning the canopy (covered extensively in another thread) doesn't do much damage to the cockpit, but there are some burn marks from the rockets I'd expect. The seat firing can be quite violent though. I had an aft seat track assy from a F-16B that ended up going to a major seat manufacturer for use in a rocket sled test (photos not released yet...). A F-16 ACES II was fired out of the sled cockpit and the rocket blast shattered the upper section of sheet metal on the seat track assy between the rails. (Right where I had tagged it with my logo, think fate was trying to tell me something?) The back area of the 'cockpit' showed burn marks, but no significant damage.

In a real cockpit there are some pieces of equipment up there that might be damaged, but overall the major costs would be for the replacement of the seat and canopy (this would definitely be in Class B territory.) The cockpit would require significant cleaning and checkout for damage and FOD. Of course anything the seat or canopy landed on could be damaged. Typically they should clear the primary mishap aircraft. A F-4E mishap I know of where the Martin-Baker H7AF was fired due to an electrical short against the rocket (due to CC placing circuit breaker panel on floor and shoving it under the seat while replacing battery). The seat fired even while pinned (this is extremely unlikely in the ACES II, but not 100% impossible. It would require cables to come in contact with the ROCAT behind the seat. In the H7AF the underseat rocket was in the same kind of position as the STAPAC, however the STAPAC has much less force.) The underseat rocket ignition blasted the seat out of the aircraft (with the unfortunate CC on it, may he rest in piece) and blasted the heck out of the cockpit. The seat landed on a nearby F-4E wing and did some damage there. Damage to the MA cost over $500,000 to repair, however that damage was mainly due to the rocket firing DEEP INSIDE the cockpit. Typically they fire near the top of the rails and don't do as much damage.

Kevin
The Ejection Site

Thanks Kevin! Sorry for the duplicate question if that's the case. I'll research this site and yours better before I put something up here. Great site you've put together yourself! Very Happy

Forum: Technology

Zero - Zero Ejection and Emergency Canopy Jettison