Centrifuge

Our facility is the only UK centrifuge able to accommodate manned work and the assessment of the effects of high G acceleration (up to 9G at an onset rate of 1G per second) on human performance. The Centrifuge G exposure is normally controlled by an automatic system, but this can be replaced by a "manual system" whereby the centrifuge controlling engineer can control the speed of the centrifuge (and hence G) directly using a "joystick" similar to a conventional aircraft flight stick.

The centrifuge arm is double ended with a gondola mounted at each end and a monitoring position for a supervising medical officer located in the middle. Each gondola is normally fitted with a standard fast jet aircraft ejection seat (that exposes the seat occupant to Gz) dependent on the nature of the task, however, alternative equipment can be fitted including a configurable "prone" seat as would be required for Gx exposure. The gondolas are fitted with a number of gas and instrumentation systems that make them an ideal environment for G acceleration research.

Applications

• MoD/DPA - appraisal of the risks of combined sustained high +Gz acceleration and rapid cockpit decompression at high altitude (Eurofighter Typhoon)
• MoD/DPA - test and evaluation of Eurofighter Typhoon aircrew equipment and life-support systems
• MOD - evaluation of proposed RAF Type S oxygen mask (designed for issue to female aircrew)