The main points of interest are:
revision to a style of seat structure seen on the Mk 8 with twin tubes taking over from the traditional main beam. On the 16 however the twin tubes are also the ejection gun.
There is no need for leg restraint garters as the restraint lines are installed on the cockpit surround only coming into use as the seat ejects.
This is the first Martin Baker seat to incorporate deployable aerodynamic surfaces which help maintain seat stability across the flight envelope.
Improved and simplified harness system.
Improved arm restraint.
Will accommodate the 3-99 percentile of aircrew sizes (both male and female). The rocket pack (single unit - not the multiple tubes of older designs) can sense the resistance to the thrust and compensate for the difference thus giving consistent results from pilots of different weights.
The main parachute is ballisticaly deployed. The duplex drogue system has disappeared.
The seat has its own on board electrical supply and is not dependant on the aircraft systems for any data. Sensors are ballisticaly deployed and provide data to a sequencer which decides the appropriate mode of operation.
A rear mounted drogue is deployed via a three point bridle to provide deceleration and stability.
In ideal circumstances a pilot can be under a fully deployed 'chute in under 1.4 seconds. High speed ejections can change this timing.
The "16" is cleared for service in the Joint Strike Fighter, Typhoon, Raphael, Texan II, NASA T38 and a few others others.
The Mark 16 series seats are examples of the Forth Generation of seats.