External Tanks Release

Releasing the external drop tanks.

The external tanks must be released before the X-15A-2 reaches Mach 2.6.

1. Fuel selector switch [8, fig. 5-6] – Check EXTERNAL.

2. External tanks jettison auto-manual switch [3, fig. 5-6] – Check MANUAL.

3. External tanks jettison buttons [5-6-7, fig. 5-6] – Check all (normal).

4. Tank jettison circuit breakers [1-2, fig. 5-6] – Check ON/CLOSED (forward).

5. External tanks jettison safe-arm switch [4, fig. 5-6] – Check ARM.

Warning

On a real mission, use the external tanks jettison full (or partially full) button to release full (or partially full) tanks for successful tank separation. Do not use the external tanks jettison empty button to release a full tank, as serious damage to the tanks and airplane will result.

Note: In the simulator, the tanks will not jettison if the wrong button is used.

To manually release the external tanks, proceed as follows:

• If the two external tanks jettison-ready indicator lights [4, fig. 5-1] are ON and the tanks are empty, press the gray external tanks jettison empty button [7, fig. 5-6] to release the tanks.

Or

• If the two external tanks jettison-ready indicator lights are OFF and the tanks are not empty but not full, press the black external tanks jettison partially full button [6, fig. 5-6] to release the tanks.

Or

• If the two external tanks jettison-ready indicator lights are OFF and the tanks are full, press the red external tanks jettison full button [5, fig. 5-6] to release the tanks.

See also:

X-15A-2 Drop Tank System