Many commercial pilots have found using iPad type tablets to be a valuable tool as a kneeboard in the cockpit.  Why wouldn’t a kneeboard tablet be valuable for fighter pilots too?  But first, it would need to pass the 600KNT ejection seat blast test!

In 2018, Juggernaut.Case developed a protective case and mounting solution for fighter pilots to employ a tablet on their leg in the cockpit. The Electronic Kneeboard (EKB) program’s purpose is to allow the use of tablets to reduce reliance on paper publications and add additional functionality (such as moving maps and performance calculators) in the cockpit. As the program progresses, the ability to plan and re-plan missions in the cockpit will be developed to create a powerful tool for the pilots, ultimately replacing the fielded Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) hardware. The final EKB system will allow users to connect in-aircraft via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB-Cable, fully integrating the tablets into aircraft systems for maximum capability. As part of the Juggernaut.Case slogan, PROTECT – MOUNT – CONNECT, this naturally falls into place with high-strength, shielded connections to the airframe with quick-disconnect cables specially designed for these cases.

In August 2018, a series of windblast tests were conducted to verify the structural integrity of the EJ-SEAT EKB Holster Assembly during high-speed ejections.  A series of four (4) windblast tests were conducted using the Windblast Lab at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. The 600KNT blast tests subjected the EKB and Holster Assembly to the highest dynamic pressure that would be experienced in an in-envelope ejection with the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) seat. The 22-degree pitch tests matches the angle of the seat coming out of the cockpit and into the air stream; the 45-degree pitch tests simulated the seat pitching back under the drogue parachute.

All tests conducted in the series were rated Acceptable and Successful. No damage was observed on the holster, aircraft or crash test pilot in any tests. Similar tests were successful at the test facility blast chamber in Toulouse, France in November of 2018.

There are several versions of the EJ-SEAT EKB for current tablets including the Samsung Tab Active 2 and 3, iPad Mini 5, and Tab S2 8.0. Tablet cases for future tablet models will fall within the test if they utilize the approved base mounting platform. The EKB is currently being flown by more than twelve different Air Forces/Navy/Marine Corps Wings worldwide. Aircraft platforms include: F-16, F/A-18, F-35JSF, as well as A-10 and F-22.

The base platform utilizes two high-strength straps secured with ITW-AustriAlpin GT COBRA Polymer Buckles. The SLEEV Case for the tablet is hard mounted with fasteners to the holster assembly to ensure its integrity during ejection if the pilot does not doff this system prior to ejection. An additional strap attaches to the pilot’s kit to ensure the EKB stays in place on the leg during entry/egress of the cockpit.

The entire EJ-SEAT EKB Kit (Mount & SLEEV) retails for $400 and is available at: shop.juggernautcase.com/products/mount-ejection-seat-ekb-solution

The Aviator Kneeboard.Mount which interfaces all 8-series tablet cases ($105 – Mount Only) is also available for non-ejection seat rotary/fixed-wing applications and features a single-strap design utilizing the BOA Fit System: shop.juggernautcase.com/products/mount-aviator-kneeboard-boa-fit-system

All of these aviation platforms carry NSN’s, are Berry Amendment Compliant, and Made in the USA.

Juggernaut.Case is based in Scottsdale, Arizona where all of it’s products have been designed, engineered, tested and assembled for over the past 20 years.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 19th, 2020 at 13:00 and is filed under Advertiser, Aviation, Press Release. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.