Hazard Military Aircraft
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Hazard Military aircraft Developed and maintained by the NFCC Contents Hazard - Military aircraft ........................................................................................................................... 3 Control measure - Cordon controls: Military aircraft .................................................................... 7 Control measure - Specialist advice: Military aircraft .................................................................... 8 Control measure - Restrict radio transmissions .............................................................................. 9 Control measure - Access the cockpit .............................................................................................. 10 Control measure - Make ejection seats safe .................................................................................. 11 Control measure - Extricate the aircrew ......................................................................................... 12 This content is only valid at the time of download - 25-09-2021 10:14 2 of 14 Hazard - Military aircraft Hazard Knowledge Fire and rescue services may come into contact with military aircraft of varying types and roles, from a number of different nations. These aircraft operate from military aerodromes around the country, or overseas and in transit through UK air space, but may also operate from civil aerodromes for a variety of reasons. Military organisations operate many types of aircraft that can vary enormously, from small two-seat trainers, attack helicopters, unmanned aircraft and combat fast jets through to large passenger or cargo aircraft. Large transport aircraft may be similar in appearance to civil airliners, but have unconventional interior configurations. Unmanned aerial vehicles are aircraft that do not carry a human pilot. Instead they are flown remotely by an operator, and can carry a lethal payload. Most military aircraft are capable of carrying weapon systems and advanced trainers and/or fast jets may be fitted with differing aircraft assisted escape systems (AAES). Apart from the additional hazards associated with explosive stores, weapon and escape systems, the profile of the aircraft types have synergies with civil aircraft. Due to the hazardous nature of specialist military aircraft, actions should be restricted to life-saving operations. Where it is confirmed by official sources that the aircrew have already ejected, the aircraft should be cordoned off and left undisturbed. An area around the aircraft with a radius of 400m should be evacuated for any incident involving military aircraft and, if the aircraft is armed, this distance should be increased to between 400m and 800m after seeking advice from the responsible military authority. Efforts should be redirected to locating the aircrew and, if requested by the military, the remains of the ejection seats. Aircraft assisted escape systems Aircraft assisted escape systems (AAES) means collectively: the ejection seat, the equipment fitted to the ejection seat including emergency escape parachutes, and personal survival packs with systems for clearing the ejection path from the aircraft, including associated mechanisms operated by explosives. This content is only valid at the time of download - 25-09-2021 10:14 3 of 14 An ejection seat is a system fitted to most military advanced trainer and fast jet aircraft (and can also be found in private ex-military aircraft). It is designed to rescue the pilot or crew from an aircraft in an emergency. In most designs, the seat is propelled from the aircraft by an explosive charge or rocket motor, carrying the occupant with it. Once clear of the aircraft, the system will automatically deploy a parachute. The cockpit canopy will also be jettisoned or fragmented by explosive charges, to provide a clear route for the ejection seat. At aircraft accidents, canopies can be externally jettisoned or fragmented by fire and rescue service personnel separately, to provide emergency access to the cockpit. The operation of ejection seats will normally be controlled by the pilot or crew. The seat can be operated when the aircraft is in flight or on the ground. If it is suspected that the aircrew are intending to operate aircraft assisted escape systems (AAES), rescue crews should not approach the aircraft and should remain at least 15 metres away from the cockpit until the procedure has been completed, or the aircrew indicates that it is safe to approach. During immediate operations, fire and rescue service personnel will take whatever precautions are necessary to rescue crew or other personnel. Thereafter, ejection seats and components, survival equipment and flying clothing are to be left undisturbed until the arrival of the aircraft assisted escape systems (AAES) investigation team, who will be responsible for taking all other aircraft assisted escape systems (AAES) safety precautions under the guidance of the Defence Accident Investigation Branch (DAIB). Aircraft assisted escape systems (AAES) present a significant hazard to fire and rescue service personnel attending a military aircraft incident. If the incident is not on an aerodrome, there is a high likelihood that fire and rescue service personnel will be first on the scene. It is possible to make ejection seats safe, however this must be carried out under the guidance of the responsible person as (MOD specialist AAES engineers), due to the extensive range of seat configurations, general training and familiarisation will be difficult. For information the Miniature Detonation Cord (MDC) is marked black & yellow. Explosive armament stores All missiles, rockets and bombs found on military aircraft will contain varying amounts and types of highly explosive material. Any explosive armament that is in danger of becoming heated by fires should be cooled with water sprays if safe to do so, but on no account should any attempt be made to move or interfere with any potentially explosive devices. Explosive armament does not normally explode on impact of a crashed aircraft, but its condition must be considered as unpredictable, so This content is only valid at the time of download - 25-09-2021 10:14 4 of 14 specialist explosive ordnance disposal advice should be sought. If explosive armament stores, including gun ammunition, have become detached from the aircraft, they should be not disturbed. Their location should be marked, cordoned off and specialist assistance sought for their disposal. Electro-explosive devices may be accidentally initiated by radio or radar frequency electro-magnetic radiation. If an aircraft accident involves nuclear weapons or materials, the Defence Nuclear Emergency Organization will assume command of the accident. Defensive systems Chaff is used to defend aircraft against hostile missile attack. It consists of a large quantity of reflective material, discharged from the aircraft to ‘confuse’ the guidance systems of the missile. Chaff is deployed from the aircraft with explosive force, and then distributed through the air by a small explosive device. Defensive flares are designed to confuse heat-seeking missile systems and will ignite and burn brightly on release. Defensive flares can provide an ignition source, burn at a very high temperature and may produce a light bright enough to cause significant eye damage. These systems are very sensitive and can activate unexpectedly. Small arms and gun ammunition Several different types of small arms and gun weapon systems may be found fitted to military aircraft, depending on the aircraft’s specification and role. Most of the gun ammunition carried on the aircraft is usually, but not always, stored in ‘safe’ containers or tanks, but some aircraft fly with a live or dummy round loaded in to the weapon. Apart from live ammunition, these weapon systems may also discharge pyrotechnics or blank rounds. Gun ammunition may ‘burst’ unexpectedly if exposed to fire or impact, and weapons may become detached from the aircraft during accidents. The area directly in front of any weapon systems must be avoided, and if possible, the location of any stored ammunition should be recognised and avoided. Pyrotechnics This content is only valid at the time of download - 25-09-2021 10:14 5 of 14 Various pyrotechnic devices can be found on military aircraft including: signal cartridges, distress flares and smoke markers. They will commonly incorporate a metal tube containing explosive material that is crimped at one end. When ignited it will emit flame and sparks at the open end. Pyrotechnic devices can be used to ignite rocket motors, to deploy under-wing weapons, or to jettison external fuel tanks; they may also be located in fire suppression systems around the aircraft. Marine flares and smoke markers may be ejected from the aircraft with some force, manually or automatically, following a crash or on contact with water. Personal flares may be found within the aircrew survival kit which can be an additional hazard when performing rescues or where bodies have to be recovered. Liquid oxygen As military aircraft may sometimes have to operate at high altitudes, a breathable oxygen supply is provided for the pilot and crew to survive. Oxygen will often be stored under pressure in cylinders or automatically generated on demand. If aircraft are involved in fire, the risk of explosion and the effect that the oxygen may have on the fire should be considered. For more information refer to National Operational Guidance: Hazardous materials Aviation fuel and specialist