Vendetta Final Proposal Part 2 - Cal Poly

Due to RFP requirements the majority of the Vendetta’s mission will occur above the military specified ceiling
for flight without a full pressure suit (50,000ft). Further research revealed the reasoning behind the specification. NASA
studies have shown that and human life functions become critically affected by the lower pressure and oxygen content of
the upper atmosphere. These studies outline how physiological effects such as
the bends and hypoxia are accelerated by the extremely low temperatures of
high altitudes. These effects will render a human unconscious in seconds, and
dead in minutes. Balancing these effects against the economics and long
preparation and turn around times associated with full pressure suits, the
decision was made to utilize a partial pressure suit. The advanced fighter
crew protection system shown in Figure 13.6 was specifically developed for
missions in this altitude range. It offers low unit cost in comparison to full
pressure suits in addition to low turn around time by alleviating the necessity
for a suiting procedure similar that used in the U-2. Pilot oxygen is provided
by the RFP GFE OBOGS.
Figure 13.6 - Advanced Fighter
Crew Protection System
The K-36D ejection seat was chosen because its ejection
envelope (Figure 13.7) encompasses that of the Vendetta. The seat
is manufactured by Boeing North American who subcontracts
Zvezda, the seats original designer, for further development. A
shaped charge cutting system was chosen over a canopy ejection
for high safety throughout the RFP mission.
Figure 13.7 - K-36D Performance Envelope
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