The K-36D Ejection Seat Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) Program.
Abstract
In 1989 at the Paris Air Show, a K-36D ejection seat gained wide public attention when the pilot successfully ejected from a MiG.29 after an extremely low altitude engine failure. The K-36D is standard equipment in Russian high-performance aircraft, being rated for survivable ejections at speeds of 0-755 KEAS. In 1993, a Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) Program was initiated to evaluate the Soviet designed K-36D ejection seat. The objectives of this program were to increase USAFIUSN knowledge of the state of Russian ejection seat technology, confirm or refute Russian claims on the performance of the K-36D ejection seat and associated personnel equipment, determine the relevance of Soviet ejection seat technology and fight crew equipment to development of a technology base for expansion of the performance envelope of USAF!USN escape systems and to develop working relationships between the US and Russian technical teams. The program consisted of eight ejections from modified MiG-25 aircraft at altitudes up to 56,000 ft at Mach 2.5, and three rocket sled tests at speeds up to 755 KEAS. This report discusses the K-36 FCT Program and the results of the ejection testing, comparing the performance of the K-36D to that of current Western ejection seats. In 1989 at the Paris Air Show, a K-36D ejection seat gained wide public attention when the pilot successfully ejected from a MiG.29 after an extremely low altitude engine failure. The K-36D is standard equipment in Russian high-performance aircraft, being rated for survivable ejections at speeds of 0-755 KEAS.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA321294
Entities
People
- John A. Plaga
- Lawrence J. Specker
Organizations
- Armstrong Laboratory