INSTRUMENTATION, EVALUATION AND TEST METHOD OF CARTRIDGE ACTUATED DEVICE (CAD) FOR AIRCRAFT APPLICATION

This research work describes a proficient method about the instrumentation, evaluation, and test method of cartridge actuated devices (CAD) using a velocity test rig (VTR) for aircraft applications. CADs are known as gas generating devices that are installed on various military aircraft of Naval bases and Air Force to perform a highly significant task such as deployment of parachute, catapult, ejection of seat, thrusters, release of bomb, cutting action of cable, fuel tanks etc. These devices produce high temperature and pressure combustion gases on initiation. As these devices are utilizing once in life time and their end use cannot be tested by non-destructive techniques. Therefore, such devices are developed with high quality and reliability. All the safety aspects are considered during various stages of development and testing. The device presented in this article has undergone rigorous qualification trials before assigning a useful and serviceable life. The projectile velocity was determined experimentally with a Doppler RADAR at cold and hot conditions. These velocities vary from 142.76 ms-1 to 164.23 ms-1. This study provides new insight into the measurement of projectile velocity using Doppler RADAR.