What are the jagged lines on the cockpit canopy of a fighter jet?

Answer 1

Since you are referring to a fighter jet I will assume that you aren't talking about the jagged lines on a stealth aircraft. Instead, you are referring to the lines that are drawn on some canopies.

These lines represent the line where the canopy will break in the case of an ejection. There is a very complex system of pyrotechnics that work to get the pilot out of the aircraft. One of the processes is blowing out the canopy. However, in the case that those fail, the canopy is designed to break. The back of the ejection seat is taller then the pilot, so when he/she ejects, the seat breaks the canopy, allowing the pilot to escape with his/her head intact!

Answer 2

Cockpit Canopy

Answer 3

The only jagged lines I can think of are decorations. Most cockpit canopies have distinctly straight, though often arching, lines. There is a locking fit for security and to make a pressure seal. There may be a zig-zag border for dots that could either be part of some physical contact zone, such as where you might push on the glass in order to effect or check a closure or opening of the hatch. It is a sort of non-slip in areas or a safe-to-touch zone.

Answer 4

Most fighters and bombers have smooth lines (for speed and aerodynamic purposes) where the canopy meets the fuselage. However, radar evading craft, like the F-117 Stealth fighter and B-2 Stealth bomber, have zig zag lines around it canopy and around the doors or panels for its landing gear, cameras and bomb bay doors (on the Stealth bomber).

The reason being smooth lines are detected by radar. The jagged or zig zag edges are not detected by radar as easily. If you look at an image of a Stealth airplane, you will also notice that they appear boxed or with severe angles along the fuselage and trailing wing edges. That and the special paint that is used on the skin of Stealth aircraft are what makes them "invisible" to radar.

Hope this helped

Answer 5

I think you're referring to the point at which the canopy peels back with the pilot ejects.

See, when the pilot bails out, he pulls a handle that activates the rocket propulsion devices of his pilot's seat (I don't think they're rockets per say, but rather they're compressed gas canisters). Also, it releases the canopy, which the chair shoves up - once it does, the air rushing past (you know, since they plane's flying and all) peels the canopy back, and the pilot ejects out and away from the plane.

The canopy doesn't release like you see it close - rather, the part around the jagged line disengages, allowing it to (in effect) fly off.

At least, I'm reasonably sure this is how it works. You'd probably be able to find something on Google, search under something like "How ejection works."

Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Are you thinking of the stealth fighter? In that case, the jagged surface around the cockpit contributes the technology that keeps the plane hidden from radar.

Answer 7

as for the many russian planes> they have the bulletproof slab of glass in front of pilot. hence, it is convenient to have a support beam rimming the glass, and allowing the simple opening of canopy. think of it this way> having separate windshield (including the bulletproof front) provides your pilot with extra safety in case of canopy lock failure. if canopy is out of one piece and locks fail, canopy MAY fly right away, and the poor pilot has nothing to hide behind, having only one option - eject handles. if he has the windshield he MAY continue flight (at the risc of hypoxia, hypotermia and other low pressure turbulent airflow related phenomena. jim> while flying the Mi 24 from the gunner seat, i MINDED the beam a lot. inflight, the beam was directly at the horizon, hiding wires and the likes. i had to sit .. well, like at a toilet, forearms at knees :)