Ram Air Turbine Systems for Military and Civilian Use

Ram air turbine systems are used in both military and civilian applications, providing a reliable source of power in emergency situations. They're often used as a backup power source for critical systems.

In military aircraft, ram air turbines are used to power emergency systems such as lighting, communication equipment, and life support systems. This is crucial for the safety of the crew and passengers.

Ram air turbines can also be used in civilian aircraft, such as business jets and helicopters, to provide power during engine failure or other emergencies. They're a vital component of emergency power systems.

The key advantage of ram air turbines is their ability to generate power in a wide range of environmental conditions, including high altitudes and extreme temperatures.

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A turbine is essentially a small auxiliary propeller that can be deployed in an aircraft in case of a power loss.

It works by generating power from the airstream passing over it as the plane flies, causing the turbine to rotate.

For more insights, see: Ram Air Turbine Schematic

The turbine can be connected to a generator or a hydraulic pump, which helps to power either an aircraft's electrical or control systems.

The size of a turbine corresponds to that of the aircraft to which it is attached, with the Airbus A380 having the largest RAT among contemporary airliners, measuring 1.63 meters in diameter.

A typical RAT is around 80 centimeters wide.

In military aircraft, ram air turbines (RATs) are a crucial component to ensure survival in the event of a sudden and complete loss of power. They power pod-fitted systems such as the M61A1 Vulcan cannon.

The RAT is also used in free-fall nuclear weapons, like the British Yellow Sun and Red Beard, to power radar altimeters and firing circuits. This is a more reliable alternative to batteries.

Some examples of military aircraft that use RATs include the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger, Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, and Messerschmitt Me 163B Komet.

Military aircraft often rely on RATs to survive power loss. These turbines can generate power quickly, making them a vital component in emergency situations.

RATs power critical systems in military aircraft, such as the M61A1 Vulcan cannon, which is a pod-fitted system. This is a game-changer in combat situations where reliability is key.

Some free-fall nuclear weapons, like the British Yellow Sun and Red Beard, use RATs to power radar altimeters and firing circuits. This is a more reliable alternative to batteries, which can be prone to failure under extreme conditions.

Here are some examples of military aircraft that utilize RATs:

The Ram Air Turbine (RAT) is a vital component in emergency situations. It's designed to supply hydraulic power and electrical power to essential systems when all else fails.

In military aircraft, RATs are common due to their ability to survive sudden and complete loss of power. They power pod-fitted systems like the M61A1 Vulcan cannon, and even free-fall nuclear weapons use RATs to power radar altimeters and firing circuits.

The RAT has saved as many as 1,700 lives across 16 documented incidents. One notable example is the "Gimli Glider" incident in 1983, where Air Canada Flight 143 ran out of fuel and the crew successfully glided the Boeing 767 to an emergency landing.

The RAT deployment can be triggered automatically in the case of dual engine failure or hydraulic low level. On the Airbus A330, the RAT supplies hydraulic pressure to the green hydraulic system, while on the A320, it supplies electrical power to essential busses.

In an emergency, the RAT will deploy and supply limited electrical power to primary instruments and critical systems. The emergency electrical generator (EMER GEN) will provide power to the primary flight display (PFD1), navigations systems (VOR1, ILS1, GPS1), and radio communication on VHF1 only.

Here's a list of notable incidents involving RAT deployment:

Ram air turbines have been used in many modern commercial airliners, starting with the Vickers VC10 in the 1960s. This was because of the VC10's use of "packaged" hydraulically-powered flying controls, rather than a centralised hydraulic system.

The VC10 relied on quadruple generators and a backup RAT generator for emergency redundancy. This was a common approach in the past, but RATs have become more advanced since then.

The Airbus A380 has the largest RAT in the world, measuring 1.63 metres (64 in) in diameter. However, a typical large RAT on a commercial aircraft is usually around 80 centimetres (31 in) in diameter.

A typical large RAT can produce between 5 to 70 kW of power, depending on the generator. Smaller models may generate as little as 400 watts.

RATs have been used to power centrifugal pumps to pressurize spray systems on aircraft used as crop dusters. This is because using a RAT allows the engine and power systems to remain unmodified, which is a major safety advantage.

Here are some key characteristics of RATs on commercial aircraft:

RATs are a crucial backup system on commercial aircraft, providing emergency power in case of engine failure. They're an essential part of ensuring safe flight operations.

The Airbus A330 and A320 both have a Ram Air Turbine (RAT) that supplies hydraulic or electrical power in case of an emergency. The RAT on the A330 supplies hydraulic pressure to the green hydraulic system, which is used to control the flight controls and emergency generator.

The RAT can be deployed manually on both the A330 and A320, but it will also deploy automatically in certain situations. On the A330, this includes dual engine failure or low hydraulic pressure in the green and yellow or green and blue systems. On the A320, it deploys automatically with the loss of both engines and an airspeed greater than 100 knots.

The RAT on the A320 supplies electrical power to the essential busses, which provide power to the equipment needed to land the aircraft. This is crucial for safe landing, and the RAT will stay deployed until the aircraft slows below 125 knots.

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The Airbus A330 is a reliable and efficient aircraft, but it's not without its unique features. The A330 has a Ram Air Turbine (RAT) that supplies hydraulic pressure to the green hydraulic system.

In the case of a dual engine failure, the RAT will supply flight controls and the emergency generator. This is a crucial safety feature that ensures the aircraft remains controllable even in extreme circumstances.

The RAT can be extended manually at any time by pressing the "RAT MAN ON" pushbutton. This gives pilots a level of control over the system, but it's not necessary in most situations.

Normal hydraulic pressure on the A330 is 3000psi, but the RAT will only supply 2500psi. This reduced pressure affects the operating speeds of the aileron, elevator, and spoilers servo control.

The A330's hydraulic system is complex, but it's designed to be robust and reliable. The RAT plays a key role in maintaining this reliability, especially in emergency situations.

The Airbus A320 is a reliable aircraft, but it's not immune to emergencies. In the event of a dual engine failure or serious electrical problem, the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) can be deployed to supply electrical power.

The RAT can be deployed manually, but it will also deploy automatically with the loss of both engines and an airspeed greater than 100 knots. This is a critical system that provides essential power to the aircraft.

The RAT supplies electrical power to the essential busses, including the ESS AC and ESS DC buses. These buses provide power to essential equipment needed to land the aircraft.

The pilot in the left seat becomes the pilot flying when the RAT is deployed, and all the first officer's screens are lost. The crew will have to manually fly the aircraft and prioritize securing the aircraft and establishing a safe flight path first.

The aircraft can be landed in CAT 1 weather conditions using ILS1, VOR1, and GPS1. However, the approach speed should be at least 140kts until landing is assured.

The RAT will stop supplying power to the emergency generator when the aircraft slows below 125kt. The crew will then rely on emergency electrical power from the batteries and shed busbars to save power.

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The Airbus A330 and A320 both have a Ram Air Turbine (RAT) that supplies hydraulic pressure to the green hydraulic system in the case of a dual engine failure.

The RAT on the A330 can be extended manually or will deploy automatically in the case of dual engine failure or low hydraulic levels in either the green and yellow, or green and blue systems.

The RAT on the A320, on the other hand, supplies electrical power to the essential busses in the event of a dual engine failure or serious electrical problem.

In both cases, the RAT plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe landing of the aircraft.

The RAT on the A330 supplies hydraulic pressure to the green hydraulic system, but at a reduced pressure of 2500psi compared to the normal pressure of 3000psi.

Here's a list of some of the planes that have a RAM Air Turbine: