Figure 5-33.-Aft ejection seat gas flow diagram.
Gas pressure from the LH impulse cartridge
passes to the following:
1. The thermal batteries.
2. The 0.75-second (forward seat) or 0.30-
second (aft seat) delay cartridge-actuated initiator
mounted on the LH ballistic manifold, which
passes gas to the LH inlet of the catapult manifold
valve to initiate the catapult.
THERMAL BATTERIES.— To provide
system redundancy, each battery is initiated
independently by a manifold-mounted, gas-
operated firing mechanism. Both firing
mechanisms are initiated by gas pressure from the
seat initiator cartridges.
Seat Bucket Assembly
The ejection seat is fitted with a seat bucket
assembly. The operation of the components
supported by the seat bucket assembly is discussed
in the following paragraphs.
UNDERSEAT ROCKET MOTOR/LAT-
ERAL THRUST MOTOR.— The underseat
rocket motor Mk 123 Mod 0 (forward seat) or Mk
124 Mod 0 (aft seat) is secured under the seat
bucket, and is ignited as the catapult nears the
end of its stroke. The thrust is approximately
4,800 pounds for 0.25 second, and sustains the
thrust of the catapult to carry the seat to a height
sufficient for a safe ejection. The thrust also
provides the zero-zero capabilities that ensure a
safe ejection.
EJECTION SEAT SAFE/ARM HANDLE.—
To prevent inadvertent seat ejection, an ejection
seat safe/arm handle is installed. To safety the
seat, you must rotate the handle up and forward.
5-32
