Alliant Techsystems has won a $2 million contract to qualify its Laser Canopy Fracturing Initiation System for use in the Raytheon Aircraft Beech/ Pilatus PC-9 MkII. Over 700 Beech MkIIs will be built for the US Air Force and Navy under the $4 billion Joint Primary Aircraft Training System programme.
The Alliant system uses fibre-optic cables and laser technology to initiate the explosive system that fractures the aircraft's canopy before the pilot's ejection seat passes through it. Unlike the explosive transfer lines used in conventional ejection systems, fibre-optic cables do not have to be replaced periodically, Alliant says. The laser system can fracture the canopy without activating the ejection seat, allowing the crew to be rescued.
Source: Flight International
