Study of an Advanced Crew Escape and Rescue Capability (AERCAB), Volume I

摘要

A study was conducted to assess the potential operational practicality of an Advanced Crew Escape and Rescue Capability, AERCAB. The AERCAB concept offers the advantage of a fly-away escape/rescue capability for a crewmember following conventional ejection from a fighter-type combat aircraft. Five primary questions are addressed: Is an AERCAB system operationally effective, operationally practicable, technically feasible, technically practicable, cost effective. A methodology for evaluating the AERCAB as an escape/rescue concept was established and formulated into a computer program, and effectiveness evaluations were conducted in selected combat scenarios. It was determined that the most important AERCAB design parameter and its greatest asset is range capability. Analysis of an SEA scenario indicated that use of the AERCAB system in conjunction with the Combat Search and Rescue forces would have resulted in more ejected air crewmembers being rescued and therefore fewer POW's and lower crewmember replacement costs. Other combat scenarios are developed and analyzed. Analyses were conducted to determine AIRCRAFT/AERCAB integration compatibility and configuration design information necessary for evaluating system effectiveness, performance, and costs. The AERCAB appears more practicable for new aircraft where retrofit design problems and aircraft modification costs are not a factor. (Author)