The F-35's ejection seats have a potentially deadly problem

[unhappycamper]

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-f-35s-ejection-seats-have-a-potentially-deadly-problem-2015-10



The F-35's ejection seats have a potentially deadly problem
Jeremy Bender

The F-35 is facing additional problems after a series of tests of the aircraft's ejection seat suggested the system could seriously injure pilots of below a certain weight.

According to Defense News, ejections at slower flight speeds snapped the neck of light-weight test dummies. In response, the US military is restricting pilots weighing under 136 pounds from flying the fifth-generation fighter.

An unnamed source familiar with the F-35 program told Defense News that the problem comes from the ejection seats themselves, which are constructed by contractor Martin-Baker. During ejection, the seats rotate too far forwards. This movement, combined with the force of ejecting from the aircraft, snapped the dummies' necks.

The military's grounded pilots under 136 pounds. Defense News reports that Martin-Baker and the F-35 program are working closely together to solve the issue.

[MADem]

1. Mostly women, then... nt

[JonathanRackham]

2. Easy Fix

Pilots are assigned to a plane. Add weight to the seat to make the minimum. I can't think of a pilot who wouldn't appreciate extra survival gear with them just in case.

[edgineered]

3. Nice try, but logical, economical solutions are not what the MIC wants.

The cost of the straps alone would be in the millions.

[JonathanRackham]

4. Govt Contractors

I forgot about the government contractor thing.

I guess they have to weigh in pilots like horse jockeys.

[edgineered]

5. government contractors:

A government contractor can place an ALL-ALL-ALL trifecta bet and lose. How is that possible, I asked. He told me one of the entries scratched, ergo they all didn't run...