Pyrolaser development for aircrew escape systems
Abstract
A Laser Ordnance Initiation System (LOIS) has been developed for use in military aircraft emergency escape/egress systems. Applying LOIS to a single-seat and a two-seat F-16 aircraft escape system has proven both cost and weight effective. In both cases, system redundancy is supplied. The large weight reduction is attributed to the elimination of certain initiators, the small size of the logic components and the low weight of the fiber-optic lines (0.037 lb/ft). The required components for a laser operated escape systems are described, with emphasis on the mechanically actuated pyrolaser, which supplies the required energy to activate the various seat devices; the optical AND gate, which provides the logic to ensure proper event sequencing; and the optical mode selector, which establishes aircrew control of the ejection sequence in multiseat aircraft only.
- Publication:
-
IN: Annual SAFE Symposium
- Pub Date:
- 1989
- Bibcode:
- 1989safe.symp..197P
- Keywords:
-
- Escape Systems;
- Fiber Optics;
- Flight Crews;
- Laser Beams;
- Energy Sources;
- Optical Pumping;
- Weight Reduction;
- Lasers and Masers