The Ejection Site

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is equipped with this version of the ACES II. It replaced an Escapac seat used in the prototypes and early aircraft. This version differs from most of the rest of the ACES II seats in the configuration of the main ejection handles. The F-16 and the F-22 ACES II seats use a center-pull handle similar to that of the Escapac seats. They also vary in the angle of the seat back to the seat pan which is more obtuse to allow for better comfort in the cockpit. The F-16 ACES II is setup with a seat back angle of 30 degrees to allow for the pilot's physiological response to the G-forces of combat maneuvering. (The F-22 is closer to a 22 degree tilt for the same reason. The large bubble canopy of the F-16 is stressed to resist birdstrikes and can not be effectively penetrated by the seat ejection force, hence the seat is not fitted with canopy breakers.