Chemical warfare protection for the cockpit of future aircraft

The author describes a potential CB (chemical and biological) protection system consisting of an ingress/egress system and a cockpit atmosphere protection system (CAPS). The ingress/egress system would keep the pilot from being exposed to contaminants during his/her transfer from the protection shelter to the aircraft. The CAPS would maintain a contaminant-free environment inside the cockpit. A rectangular plastic curtain is used to seal the four edges of the canopy frame to the canopy sill. The curtain is stored in a tray which is recessed into the canopy sill and unfolds in accordion fashion as the canopy is raised. A two-way zipper could be used as an airlock between the pilot´s oversuit and the cockpit. This system eliminates the pilot´s need for heavy and restrictive CB gear by removing the possibility of exposure to the chemical-warfare environment