further action by crewmembers. The functional
Shielded Mild-Detonating Cord and Flexible
sequence is from the handle/initiator (anyone), to the
Confined Detonating Cord
SMDC, to the explosive charge, which is the actual
The SMDC and FCDC segments act as the
cutting tool for the window or hatch glass. If either or
plumbing for the emergency egress system. The SMDC
both the TACCO and SENSO hatches are to be blown,
and FCDC connect all external and internal jettison
the respective fillet and fillet support will be cut to
initiators; all connectors, tees, and manifolds or
allow complete egress of the hatch. When either the
one-way transfers; all explosive charges; and all
TACCO or SENSO crewmember actuates the
explosive-shaped charges. When initiated, the
handle/initiators, the opposite hatch and the two flight
extremely high velocity and pressure of the cord is
stations windows will not be cut, since the SMDC
focused onto the end of the next adjacent SMDC
one-way transfer (check valve) restricts transfer of
segment, which acts as acceptor charge.
pyrotechnic energy flow in one direction.
The emergency egress system is entirely
Shielded Mild-Detonating Cord One-Way
self-sufficient and completely independent. The
Transfer
emergency egress system does not depend on any other
aircraft system, nor does the emergency egress system
Two SMDC one-way transfers are located on the
air, assist, or sequence with another system. The SMDC
pilot and copilot bulkhead. The SMDC one-way
is considered to be more reliable and much faster than a
transfer acts as a check valve or one-way detonating
comparable hot gas system. The emergency egress
transfer device. The SMDC one-way transfer is a
system is safer from the standpoint of inadvertent
self-contained unit housing a sealed receptacle for
actuation due to the extremely high initiating velocities
dual-shaped charges. Any detonating entering the in
and pressures. The high operating velocity is much too
ports will transfer to the out port. Any detonation
fast to permit emergency egress system initiation by
originating from the aft port (TACCO or SENSO)
ordinary sawing, filing, drilling, or hammering. With
segment of the SMDC one-way transfer will not
quick-release safety pins properly installed, the
transfer forward. This would occur when either the
emergency egress system is virtually inert.
TACCO or SENSO elects to cut the respective hatch;
the remaining two windows and the opposite hatch
Q3-26.
What is the purpose of the frangible escape
would not be affected.
system?
Q3-27.
The S-3 emergency egress system is more
OPERATION
susceptible to inadvertent actuation than hot
gas systems. True or false?
The emergency egress system is initiated from any
one of the five positions: two on the outside of the flight
Q3-28.
Instead of safety pins, the external jettison
station, and three located in the crew compartment at
initiators use what type of component to
the eyebrow panel and at the TACCO and SENSO
protect against inadvertent initiation?
instrument panels. All windows and hatches are cut and
Q3-29.
How many internal jettison initiators are
blown outward by the actuation of either external
located in the crew compartment?
jettison initiator and by the pilot/copilot internal
jettison initiator. The TACCO and SENSO internal
Q3-30.
The and connect all external and internal
jettison initiators cut only the respective panel next to
jettison initiators.
the crewmember. The emergency egress system is used
Q3-31.
What component restricts transfer
of
primarily for ground and water rescues. The
pyrotechnic flow in one direction?
handle/initiators have a trigger action. Once the
emergency egress system is actuated, the emergency
Q3-32.
The emergency egress system is virtually inert
egress system will respond to completion without
when what component is properly installed?
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