PARIS, June 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Collins
Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX),
has conducted several major reviews on the upgraded version of its
ACES II ejection seat for the U.S. Air Force's Safety and
Sustainment Improvement Program (SSIP) for B-2 bombers. After
closing out final action items, deliveries are on track to begin
this summer.
The ACES ejection seat for the B-2 will feature a new modular
structure which is designed to significantly reduce maintenance
cost and time. It features a detachable seatback and bucket
structure that provides easy access for maintenance technicians by
eliminating the need to remove the top cockpit escape hatch. It is
estimated that the upgrade will reduce the B-2's current
maintenance period of 720 hours over a 30-day period to just 2
hours, providing a significant increase in aircraft
availability.
The new safety features implemented with the B-2 ACES SSIP seat
upgrade provide the performance equivalent to the ACES 5, the
company's next-generation ejection seat that demonstrates
compliance with the Air Force's latest MIL-HDBK-516C airworthiness
standards. The ACES 5 seat was the first and only seat to complete
a U.S. government qualification program based on these latest
requirements.
"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, Training and Mission Solutions for Collins
Aerospace. "Our ACES seats provide life-saving safety improvements
to handle all those scenarios, reducing ejection-related injuries
to extremely low levels so pilots can live to fly another day."
The ACES II ejection seat has helped save more than 650 lives
since it was first introduced in 1978 and has a spinal injury rate
of less than one percent. ACES II is currently in service on more
than 6,000 aircraft, including all F-15s and F-16s worldwide as
well as the Air Force's A-10, F-22, B-1 and B-2.
About Collins Aerospace
Collins Aerospace Systems, a
unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), is a leader in
technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global
aerospace and defense industry. Created in 2018 by bringing
together UTC Aerospace Systems and Rockwell Collins, Collins
Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio and
expertise to solve customers' toughest challenges and to meet the
demands of a rapidly evolving global market. For more information,
visit CollinsAerospace.com.
About United Technologies Corporation
United
Technologies Corp., based in Farmington,
Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services
to the building and aerospace industries. By combining a passion
for science with precision engineering, the company is creating
smart, sustainable solutions the world needs. For more information
about the company, visit our website at www.utc.com or follow
us on Twitter: @UTC.
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SOURCE Collins Aerospace