PROCEDURES
The canopy can be jettisoned by internal or
external means. The following discussion
summarizes both jettison procedures.
Internal Canopy Jettison
Internal canopy jettison is initiated by the
internal canopy jettison lever. (See fig. 2-11.) By
removing the canopy jettison safety pin and
pressing down the safety button and pulling the
lever aft, the canopy jettison SMDC initiator is
fired. Explosive stimulus produced by the initiator
is transferred through the SMDC to the emergency
escape disconnect. The one-way transfer valve
prevents the explosive stimulus from continuing
toward the ejection seat components. The
explosive stimulus continues through the
emergency escape disconnect, via the FCDC, to
the canopy unlatch thruster cartridge, which fires
the canopy unlatch thruster. Firing the unlatch
thruster pushes the canopy aft to disengage the
canopy latches and separates the thruster from the
connecting link. Ballistic gas produced by firing
the thruster is transferred to the canopy jettison
rocket motor initiators. The rocket motor
initiators convert ballistic-gas pressure to explosive
stimulus, which is transferred through SMDC to
fire the canopy jettison rocket motors. The rocket
motors produce the vertical thrust required to
separate the canopy from the aircraft. (See fig.
2-12.)
External Canopy Jettison
Ground emergency external canopy jettison is
started by opening the door on either the left or
right side of the aircraft and removing the canopy
jettison handle from its retaining clip. The handle
is attached to approximately 8 feet of cable. When
the cable is fully extended and pulled, the canopy
jettison SMDC initiator is fired, which, in turn,
initiates the emergency canopy jettison sequence.
From this point on, the sequence is the same as
internal canopy jettison. The cable action merely
bypasses the internal canopy jettison lever. When
the canopy is jettisoned, all canopy jettison
ballistic devices are spent.
WARNING
Ensure that the proper canopy jettison
safety pin is installed whenever the aircraft
is not flying or during any maintenance
task performed on the aircraft.
2-13
