Explosive Cord in Canopy and ejection question

[Spudknocker]

In the AV-8B, I know there is explosive cord in the canopy, its really one of the more distinctive features of the jet when looking through the canopy.

 

But my question is what is the purpose of this explosive Cord? Does it detonate and shatter the glass on ejection? Or does the Canopy jettison like other jets?

 

Did British harrier II's have this explosive cord in the canopy like their American cousins?

[Harke]

aswer:

[bart]

Its called MDC or Minature Detonating Cord. Its an explosive charge facing out to cut the perspex canopy on ejection. The seat then leaves the aircraft with the canopy frame in place.

 

Yes, RAF jets had this too, even the earlier Harrier GR3/Sea Harriers had it. Different pattern on the canopy in the earlier versions though.

[Northstar98]

The detonation cord shatters the canopy and the pilot ejects through it, the frame still in place (unlike VEAO's Hawk which shatters the canopy and opens the canopy) I believe it's present on every production harrier (first or second generation)

Edited November 6, 2017 by Northstar98

[Liger Zero]

An slowmo of what happens to the canopy