Using the GPS to Collect Trajectory Data for Ejection Seat Design, Validation, and Testing

The dynamic characteristics of an aircraft ejection seat are a crucial concern when evaluating aircraft ejection systems and their ability to separate aircrew members safely from disabled aircraft. Every ejection seat model undergoes real-time dynamic tests to determine potential injury to aircrew members during ejection. Ejection seat tests are conducted at high-speed test tracks. The test track facilities provide the required telemetry and high-speed photography to monitor and validate the aircraft escape system performance. Ejection seat test and evaluation requires very accurate position and velocity determination during each test run to determine the relative positions between the aircraft, ejection seat, manikin, and the ground. Current test and evaluation systems rely on expensive video camera systems to determine the position and velocity profiles. This research presents the design and test results from a new GPS-based system capable of monitoring all major ejection- test components. Small, low-power, lightweight GPS receivers, capable of handling high accelerations, are mounted on the manikin and/or ejection seat to obtain the position and velocity during the ejection sequence. The research goal is to augment the camera system with a differential GPS-based measurement system capable of providing accuracy that meets or exceeds the current video systems accuracy.Air Force Inst of Tech Wright-Patterson AFB OH School of Engineering and Management is the author of 'Using the GPS to Collect Trajectory Data for Ejection Seat Design, Validation, and Testing', published 2002 under ISBN 9781423511250 and ISBN 1423511255.