Fourth generation escape systems technology demonstration program - Objectives and accomplishments

The joint USAF/Navy Fourth Generation Escape Systems Technology Demonstration Program was conducted under USAF contract to develop and demonstrate technologies which will enable the expansion of the aircrew escape envelope beyond that of current, or third, generation escape systems. The areas of the escape envelope in which expansion was demonstrated were for escape at extremely high speed and under low altitude, adverse attitude conditions. The primary technologies which were developed for demonstration were: Controllable propulsion Digital flight controls Advanced life protection features Demonstration tests at adverse attitudes and extremely high speeds produced a low risk of injury previously thought unachievable with an open ejection seat. The Fourth Generation Escape Systems Technology Demonstration Program not only met the objectives, but established the benchmark against which future ejection seat performance will be judged.