Internal Canopy Jettison Initiators
displays the canopy emergency jettison system com-
ponents. The following paragraphs will discuss the
Two internal canopy jettison initiators enable the
components and operation of the canopy emergency
aircrewman to jettison the canopy during emergency
jettison system.
conditions without initiating seat ejection. One initiator
is actuated with the CANOPY JETTISON handle on
COMPONENTS
the pilot right instrument panel; the other initiator, with
the CANOPY JETTISON handle on the NFO right
Components of the emergency jettison system
instrument panel.
include pyrotechnic cords, internal and external canopy
jettison initiators, shielded mild detonating cord
External Canopy Jettison Initiator
(SMDC)/gas initiators, gas generators, inert connectors
and manifolds, explosive manifolds, and one-way
An external jettison initiator (fig. 3-6) enables the
explosive transfers.
groundcrew to jettison the canopy during ground
emergency conditions. Each initiator is manually
Pyrotechnic Cords
actuated with its external canopy jettison handle.
Three types of pyrotechnic cords are used in the
Initiators (SMDC to Gas/Gas to SMDC)
F-14 escape systems: expanding shielded mild
The system has four SMDC to gas (two pilot and
detonating cord (XSMDC), flexible confined
two NFO) and four gas SMDC initiators (two pilot and
detonating cord (FCDC), and SMDC. Two XSMDC
two NFO). The initiators are behind each ejection seat,
cords are routed parallel through each side of the
mounted on an initiator manifold and connected to each
canopy sills. When charged, the cords expand
seat with a pyrotechnic quick-disconnect. The gas to
diametrically and sever hardware in all 14 canopy lock
SMDC initiators are activated by pyrotechnic gas
hooks, freeing the canopy. The firing of the canopy gas
signals which result from pulling the ejection control
generator then jettisons the canopy. The FCDC, which
handle. They provide the initial explosive signal for
is used in areas requiring mechanical movement,
canopy jettison and seat ejection. The SMDC to gas
connects the canopy jettison gas generator to the
initiators are activated by the aircraft sequencing
SMDC, and starboard XSMDC to port XSMDC. The
system, sending a gas signal to the seat to eject the
SMDCs are rigid tubes located throughout the cockpit
crewmember.
fuselage and bulkheads.
CANOPY
FS 248
EXTERNAL
JETTISON
INITIATOR
VIEW LOOKING INBOARD
AMEf0306
Figure 3-6.--External canopy jettison initiator.
3-9
