Last year, Martin-Baker celebrated the 80th anniversary since the beginning of British ejection seat development. Aviation has changed beyond recognition since work began on its first escape system in 1945, but the purpose has stayed the same: giving aircrew a chance to escape when every other option to maintain airborne flight has gone.
As of June 2026, Martin-Baker ejection seats have saved the lives of 7,825 aircrew. Each one represents a pilot, or navigator/weapon systems officer, who has survived an emergency and returned to their family, squadron and, in most cases, back to flying. That remains the clearest objective of the company’s mission.
Today, more than 16,500 Martin-Baker seats are in service with 106 operators in 86 countries, across 63 aircraft types. The company supports air forces on five continents, from basic trainers to front-line combat aircraft and specialist airborne platforms.
That experience has been built through close collaboration with prime manufacturers, operators and maintainers. Cockpit dimensions, canopy design, performance and aircrew accommodation all vary, so every seat must be developed around its unique platform. Support continues through training, maintenance, repair and overhaul, backed by global facilities and a Field Service team.
Martin-Baker has adopted an evolutionary approach; the knowledge and experience gained with each ejection seat type, has been fed directly back into the design of the next escape system. Fitted to all three F-35 variants, the US16E has brought major advances in aircrew accommodation, physiological protection and escape performance. The US16E is the origin of our very latest Mk18 flagship design; as of June 2026, the US16E ejection seat has saved the lives of 12 F-35 pilots.
Mk18 technology is now in service with both the KAI KF-21 Boramae fighter and the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72. Mk18 seats will fly in both the Turkish Aerospace KAAN fighter and Hürjet advanced trainer, and has been selected for the SNC Freedom trainer.
As aviation moves towards unmanned aircraft, the Martin-Baker role is to ensure aircrew protection remains part of the design from the outset. The Mk17 is an ultra-lightweight, compact seat created for both optionally manned and basic trainer aircraft, where weight and space are critical. Its development reflects the company’s approach to future technology: carry out the research, understand the engineering challenge and develop the solution before it is needed.
Each programme builds on decades of test data and operational experience meeting the needs of its aircraft and crew. Reaching 80 years was a major milestone and clear evidence of Martin-Baker continuous development for not just escape systems, but for aircrew safety products and crashworthy seating.
Martin-Baker is a proud British, family-run engineering company with a responsibility that reaches around the world. It continues to invest in its people, facilities and technology, improving each generation of escape system and supporting customers throughout the seats life in service. Earning the trust of those who fly, and keeping that trust for a lifetime, is what ‘Engineering For Life’ means.
Please come by and see our range of ejection seats on display in Hall 1 stand #1260.