Design and testing of the KC-100 Spin Recovery Parachute System (SRPS)

Abstract

This paper presented the design of SRPS, ground function test, and the deployment test on a high speed taxi of KC-100 airplane. KAI has developed a spin recovery system in collaboration with Airborne Systems for KC-100 general aviation airplane. Spin mode analysis, rotary balance and forced oscillation tests were performed to obtain the rotational, dynamic derivatives in the preliminary design phase. Prior to the detailed design process of SRPS, approximations for initial estimation of design parameters-fineness ratio, parachute porosity, parachute canopy filling time, and deployment method-were considered. They were done based on the analytical disciplines such as aerodynamics, structures, and stability & control. SRPS consists of parachute, tractor rocket assembly for deployment, attach release mechanism (ARM) and cockpit control system. Before the installation of SRPS in KC-100 airplane, all the control functions of this system were demonstrated by using SBTB(System Breakout Test Box) in the laboratory. SBTB was used to confirm if it can detect faults, and simulate the firing of pyrotechnic devices that control the deployment and jettison of SRPS. Once confirmed normal operation of SRPS, deployment and jettison of parachute on the high speed taxiing were performed.