Parachute Assembly
The parachute assembly (fig. 5-27) comprises
a 6.2m (20-foot) GQ type 2000 personnel para-
chute packed, together with a ribbon drogue, into
a rigid container and connected to the parachute
risers. The parachute risers incorporate seawater
activated release switches (SEAWARS) for
attachment to the upper torso harness. These
switches will automatically release the occupant
from his/her parachute following descent into
seawater. The parachute assembly is attached to
the upper forward face of the ejection seat main
beams. Some seats may contain the GQ-5000
type parachute, depending on date of manu-
facture.
PARACHUTE CONTAINER.— The para-
chute container is of light alloy construction, with
canopy breakers fitted to each upper outboard
side. The breakers on the forward seat are longer
than those on the aft seat. Two hooked brackets
on the lower rear face of the container locate over
pins on the main beams. Brackets, integral with
the rear of the canopy breakers, are bolted to
brackets on the main beams. A shaped headpad
is attached to the front face of the container to
provide head location during ejection. A hook and
pile fastener is fitted to the front face of the
headpad to locate the parachute risers. The
container is closed by a rigid top cover, with a
single lug on the RH side and two lugs on the LH
side. The LH lugs deform during parachute
extraction, releasing the cover to permit rapid
parachute deployment. A fairing on the LH
rear corner of the cover protects the para-
chute withdrawal line where it leaves the
container.
Figure 5-27.-Parachute assembly, forward seat.
5-24
