44
votes
Accepted
Why does the F-16 canopy have a K-shaped 'latch'?
The function of the form is to act as a throttle stop when the part is in the position shown in the picture. It prevents full movement of the throttle when canopy is not securely closed and sealed.
...
- 27.2k
32
votes
Accepted
What kinds of materials are used for fighter jets' glass windshields?
Today, the canopy is a multi-layer structure. In case of the F-16, it consists of three layers:
The innermost layer is 0.5 inch thick polycarbonate and drape-molded into the compound curvature shape.
...
- 230k
21
votes
What kinds of materials are used for fighter jets' glass windshields?
The fighter jet canopies usually are made of (special) acrylic plastics or polycarbonate, with special coatings for RCS reduction in some cases.
In general, different fighter canopies differ in their ...
- 100k
21
votes
Accepted
Why are these carrier aircraft landing with the canopy open?
Because it is the standard operating procedure, not only for this aircraft, but also for others. In the book U.S. Naval Air Superiority: Development of Shipborne Jet Fighters - 1943-1962, [Tommy H. ...
- 100k
14
votes
Accepted
What are the white tubes underneath the Canopy of the F-22 Raptor?
Those are Cartridge Actuation Devices (CADs) - pyrotechnic charges used during canopy separation for canopy jettison or ejection. Note the nozzles at the outboard ends and the ignition wires inboard.
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- 72.9k
10
votes
Why are these carrier aircraft landing with the canopy open?
The above answers are right; it's done to facilitate quick evacuation of a jet in case of an emergency or a liquid landing. Modern carrier jets use jettisonable canopies along with a zero-zero ...
- 72.9k
8
votes
Accepted
Why does the canopy of the F-22 Raptor have a golden tinge?
In order to reduce the radar cross section (RCS) of the aircraft, the F22 canopies are coated with a thin layer of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), which gives it a golden tint.
From the book F-22 Raptor by ...
- 100k
6
votes
Accepted
Is there a procedure for canopy static discharge before the pilot egresses from the cockpit?
When I was a crew chief on B-52Gs, when we would recover a plane, after wheel chocks were placed, but before the airframe was touched by personnel, a wire was connected to a grounding location in the ...
- 479
5
votes
Accepted
How are composite aircraft canopies constructed that sit flush with the fuselage?
That is a complicated process. You need:
A positive mold (mandrel) for the canopy.
A negative mold for the canopy frame. For a single prototype you can also use the unfinished fuselage itself.
A ...
- 230k
3
votes
Do F-22 Raptors have different chemical colored coatings on the canopy?
No, all canopies manufactured for the F-22A aircraft are done in an identical fashion. It’s just lighting reflecting off the canopy at different angles, different backgrounds behind them, etc.
It ...
- 72.9k
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