Figure 12. Nose capsule.
b. Missile Systems.
gas generator to operate the head
restraint device (22).
Another
(1) A propellant gas generator was developed
lanyard from the parachute riser
to replace the compressed gas bottle used
starts a 6-second delay initiator (23)
to pressurize the hydraulic fluid in the
at the time of parachute launch.
NIKE-AJAX guided 'missile.
It was
This initiator releases pressure from
installed in a missile and successfully
a bottle (24) to prepare the capsule
tested on the ground.
for a landing on land or in the water.
(2) Another gas-generating system has been
The pressure from the bottle
developed for possible use in the NIKE-
actuates a propellant charge to
HERCULES guided missile.
It was
shatter the glass-like radome (25),
developed as a backup for the current,
exposing a sheet metal structure
ethylene-oxide system. It has not as yet
with predictable shock-absorbing
been used, although it has been ground
characteristics, and allowing the
tested.
It is described here as an
capsule's center of gravity to be
example of missile applications.
closer to the ground at the time of
(3) In this system, propellant gas from the T4
contact. This reduces the capsule's
gas generator in the auxiliary power
tumbling tendencies in the wind.
supply is used to operate a double-acting
Simultaneously, gas from the
pump which supplies fluid to the actuators
pressure bottle releases the lower
at 3,000250 psi at a flow rate to meet
riser of the parachute (26),
tactical demands for all anticipated
positioning the capsule for the most
missile maneuvers.
The system is
desirable landing attitude, and gas
relatively light in weight, simple in design,
from the bottle also inflates floats in
requires little ground maintenance, and
the stabilizing wedges (27). The
may be stored for long periods of time.
floats at the ends of the lower
(4) The auxiliary power supply for the NIKE-
stabilizing wedges support the aft
HERCULES guided missile operates in
end of the capsule so that it is
the following manner: Prior to launching,
approximately level, and reasonably
the T4 gas generator (fig. 15) is initiated
stable in the water.
by the T14E2 electric ignition element.
(f) After the capsule contacts the
The ignition element ignites the igniter
ground or water, the pilot can, at his
which, in turn, ignites the fast-burning
discretion, pull a handle (28) in the
cockpit to release the parachute
riser (29).
15
