Nichols Martin
United Technologies Corp.'s Collins Aerospace business has reviewed the safety features of an updated ACES II aircraft ejection seat and is set to begin deliveries to the U.S. Air Force this summer.
Collins Aerospace said Tuesday it estimates the new seating technology will cut the maintenance time for B-2 bomber planes from 720 hours to just two hours.
The system's detachable seatback and bucket are designed to eliminate the need for technicians to remov the cockpit's top escape hatch. The seat was updated as part of the Air Force's Safety and Sustainment Improvement Program.
“The introduction of new helmet-mounted devices, varied aircrew weights and different aerodynamic effects in flight have made it necessary to evolve ejection seat design over time,†said Brad Haselhorst, vice president and general manager for training and mission solutions at Collins Aerospace.
