DE2202411

A canopy transparency break-up system is provided, for use in emergency escape from an aircraft through the cockpit canopy, in which miniature detonating cord (MDC) is held in place around the periphery of the transparency, or a selected area of the transparency, and is formed into loops at intervals which loops act as crack iniators when the cord is detonated. The cord is clamped in place, without adhesive, by means of retaining plates of springy steel which are bolted to the canopy frame and are segmented by transverse slots at intervals along their lengths, these plates having appropriate extensions or tongues in the regions where the cord loops occur. The cord ends are brought into contiguity within a common detonator unit the axis of which is at right angles to the axes of the cord ends.