A Multi-objective Optimization Study of Parameters for Low-Altitude Seat Ejections

Abstract

Flight ejection process exposes the pilot to large accelerations causing spinal injuries at various levels of the spine. The successful ejections in low-altitude seat ejections remain very low when compared to higher altitude ejections, since the low-level ejections are time critical events demanding optimal process parameters to improve chances of successful ejection. The spinal injury depends on variety of factors such as rate of impulse applied, peak acceleration. Dynamic Response Index (DRI) is used as an injury parameter to predict injury of spine. Hitherto a multi-objective optimization-based study has not been conducted, and it can impart various important insights which can be useful in optimizing the low-altitude ejection processes. In this paper, a novel multi-objective optimization approach to maximize the height reached by the pilot to obtain a life-saving height and to minimize DRI value to reduce injury is used to study various process parameters such as fore-aft angle of the aircraft, rate of impulse applied, flight speed. Two different algorithms, NSGA-II and MOPSO, were used in this study.