ACES II EJECTION SEAT LEG WELL MOUNTED LEG RESTRAINT SYSTEM

摘要

High-speed aircraft ejections have resulted in major and fatal injuries to aircrew due to leg flail. Over the years seat manufactures have developed several devices to mitigate against leg flail injuries. The most prevalent positive restraint system in recent history consists of aircrew donned leg garters that retract as the seat transitions out of the cockpit. More recently, production aircraft with Russian K-36 and ACES ejection seats have incorporated passive leg well mounted restraint systems. The ACES Program developed and qualified a passive leg well system for the USAF F/A-22 fighter aircraft that is simple effective, and retrofittable into legacy ACES II platforms. In 2003, Brooks AFB contracted with Goodrich/UPCO, the seat OEM, to determine the retrofit feasibility and to conduct a demonstration of the passive leg well system for the F-15 and F-16 aircraft. This effort was conducted in conjunction with the ACES II Pre-planned Product Improvement Program (P3I). Retrofit of the leg restraint system in legacy ACES II aircraft will save the lives of aircrew in the upcoming years and is anticipated to be available for installation into the F-15 and F-16 aircraft in CY 2005-2006 timeframe. Key features of the leg well mounted leg restraint system, the installation requirements, safety improvement, and a performance assessment are reviewed.