T. 0. lL-2A-l

EXTERNAL STORES.

External Stores Pylons.

Stores are suspended from four MAU-3A bomb racks housed in non-jettisonable pylons, (figure 4-14), two under each wing. Each bomb rack contains an electrical solenoid and mechanical linkage to open both rack hooks and release the attached store which then free falls from the rack. The suspension hooks are spaced 14 inches apart and the pylons are adaptable to any external store equipped with 14-inch suspension lugs.

All stores carried by the pylon racks free-fall when either the normal or emergency release systems are utilized. Normal release Is effected by positioning the fire/drop switches to DROP and depressing the trigger button. Emergency release is accomplished by raising the switch cover and positioning the salvo switch to SALVO.

SUU-11/A Minigun Pod.

The SUU-11/A aircraft gun pod (figure 4-14) is a self contained GAU-28/A gun system of 7.62 mm which is adaptable to aircraft equipped with bomb racks having the front and rear suspension hooks spaced 14 inches apart. The main components of the pod are the front fairing assembly, ammunition loader assembly, ammunition feeder assembly, recoil adapter assemblies, electric drive assembly, rounds counter, spent cartridge ejector unit, rear fairing assembly, battery and control assembly, support assembly, rounds counter drive assembly, and drum assembly. The pod weighs approximately 245 pounds empty, 325 pounds loaded, is 85 inches long and is 12 inches in diameter. The ammunition capacity of the pod is 1500 rounds and the cyclic rate of fire is 6000 rounds per minute. The usable ammunition in the pod may be fired out with a single burst or a series of short bursts. Spent cartridges are ejected from the bottom of the pod. The gun pod is adaptable to all four pylon stations. The firing circuit is completed by switches in the aircraft and when the trigger button is depressed, the completed circuit allows the battery in the pod to drive and fire the gun.

SUU-14/A Bomblet Dispenser.

The SUU-14/A bomblet dispenser (figure 4-14) has a triangular cross section formed by 6 tubes, each 73 inches long and weighs approximately 50 pounds empty and 250 pounds when fully loaded. The for- ward ends of the 6 tubes are covered with a blunt fairing assembly which houses the firing mechanism used to eject the bomblets from the rear of the tubes. The firing mechanism is composed of an electrical system, explosive ejector cartridge, and ejector piston assembly. When release is intiatated, an electrical current fires the ejector cartridge, the resultant expanding gasses of which act against the piston assembly propelling both the piston assembly and the bomblets out of the aft end of the tube at a velocity of approximately 27 feet per second. Dispersal pattern size is primarily dependent upon the ground speed and altitude of the aircraft at the time of re- lease.

LAU-59/A Rocket Launcher.

The LAU-59/A is a reusable rocket launcher (figure 4-14) capable of launching seven 2.75 inch FFARs (Folding Fin Aircraft Rockets) and weighs approximately 5.15 pounds empty and 175 pounds fully loaded. The launcher consists of three major components; a center section and a rear section which may be used on repeated firings, and a forward frangible fairing which shatters upon rocket firing. The center section contains the suspension system, metal launching tubes with detents, and an intervalometer . The detent devices within the tubes restrain the rockets against normal flight loads and provide electrical contact to the rockets. Contacts on aft launcher bulkhead provide the rockets with a ground in order that the firing circuits may be energized. Two receptacles on top of the center section provide for connection to the aircraft firing circuitry. Since the receptacles are wired in parallel, only one is utilized to complete the launcher and aircraft circuits. As a safety requirement, the receptacle not connected to the aircraft is fitted with a shorting but- ton (attached to the receptacle dust cover) that grounds the launcher firing circuit and prevents in- advertent operation of the launch intervalometer . The shorting button is removed prior to take-off.

The built-in step type intervalometer is designed for repeated firings, with a single or ripple fire capa- bility depending upon the selector switch setting. If the selector switch is set to RIPPLE, the pod will fire-out when the trigger button is depressed at an interval of 20 milliseconds between individual rockets. If the switch is placed in the SINGLE position, one rocket will fire each time the trigger but- ton is depressed.

MA-2/ A Rocket Launcher.

The MA-2A rocket launcher (figure 4-14) is com- posed of two launching tubes, and a suspension sys- tem. The launcher is connected to the aircraft's firing circuits and is fired by the pilot depressing the trigger button. One rocket will fire each time the trigger button is depressed.

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