Task Aerospace, Inc. has initiated the qualification program of a new propellant in the A-4 ESCAPAC Ejection Seat Rocket Catapult and Seat-Man Separator Rocket Motor. The results of this program will be a commercially qualified set of Rocket Motors. The Rocket Catapult, part number 10407-3, is the main rocket motor serving to separate the seat from the aircraft and safely drive the pilot away from the aircraft. The Seat-Man Separation Rocket Motor (“Earburner”), part number 50503-3, pushes the seat away from the aircrew member prior to deployment of the personnel parachute.
The ESCAPAC Rocket Motors have not been successfully produced since 2003. The propellant, as originally designed, cannot be manufactured due to availability of environmentally sensitive constituent. Task will perform the replacement propellant program using the baseline, original, ESCAPAC design/ performance specifications. Task will utilize a well-characterized propellant with many years of proven, predictable performance on current military aircraft. The application of the new propellant will require a series of qualification tests at various temperatures and environmental conditions.
The ESCAPAC Rocket Motor program is a Joint Purchase Program where several A-4 operators are jointly participating in the qualification in an effort to reduce individual user costs. Anyone operating an A-4 Skyhawk or S-3 Viking is invited to participate in this critical program.
Task Aerospace, Inc. is a qualified supplier of escape system services and products for commercial, US and foreign operators of ejection seat equipped aircraft.
