the seat and pilot out of the cockpit and to expel
the drogue container and chute from the seat. The
catapult cartridge also initiates ignition of
two SBR motors and initiates the post-ejection
sequencing subsystem (fig. 6-41).
CATAPULT TUBE ASSEMBLIES.— The
catapult tube assemblies house the catapult lock
and unlock mechanism, provide physical support
for the seat bucket via the seat height adjustment
actuator and slipper assemblies, and support the
trombone assemblies. They also support a
headrest and personnel parachute container
assembly, drogue parachute and container
assemblies, and associated interconnecting
hardware.
The catapult tube assemblies also provide
several other functions. First, they provide the
energy and movement for the canopy piercers and
breakers to penetrate the aircraft canopy. They
also route and apply ballistic gas pressure to eject
the drogue container and parachute. They route
and apply ballistic gas pressure to initiate the seat-
back rocket motors. Finally, they route and
apply ballistic gas pressure to initiate the
Figure 6-41.—Catapult cartridge and tube assemblies.
6-57
