Figure 15-32.—S-3 aircraft configuration.
The SLTs maybe reloaded only from the outside of the
aircraft. Look at figure 15-33. It shows the
arrangement of the SLTs as you look up at the lower
fuselage.
Bomb Bay System
The bomb bay system consists of the units and
components needed to carry, arm, and release stores.
The bomb racks are attached to brackets mounted to the
aircraft in a cruciform pattern. Each of these basic
installations is assigned a station number. Numbers
followed by a letter (such as A or B) designate these
stations for special capacities or types of stores. These
stations are arranged in pairs, such as stations 1 and 2,
3 and 4, etc.
For ground maintenance without power on the S-3,
you need to use a 3/8-inch drive crank to open or close
the doors. Both aircraft have a ground safety pin to
disable the door mechanism in the open position. The
door safety pin must be inserted when you are
working in the bomb bays.
The release of bomb bay stores is normally
accomplished by the computer, as programmed by the
TACO and controlled by the TACO with copilot backup.
The pilots have final control because they must activate
the master arm switch.
S-3 Configurations
The S-3 bomb bay suspension has two BRU-14/A
bomb racks. The racks are suspended from the bomb
bay overhead support braces. Different configurations
are made by arranging the racks in various locations on
the support braces.
Figure 15-34 shows the
configurations available for each bomb bay.
The basic configuration of the S-3 consists of dual
stations-stations 1 and 2 and stations 3 and 4 across the
bays. The station A configuration consists of dual
tandem stations in each bay—1A and 2A, 3A and 4A.
These two configurations are used, as necessary, to
provide store clearance, depending on the shape and size
of the store. The single store configuration consists of
one station per bay—1B and 4B. This configuration is
used for special purposes, such as special weapons.
The BRU-14/A rack is held in position by two
mounting bolts through the forward mount. Mounting
pins secured to the aircraft braces restrain the rear of the
rack assembly. Electrical receptacles at each mounting
position provide connection for the rack to the aircraft
circuits.
Foldable scrub rails, or guides, secured to the bomb
bay centerline bulkhead, are used with some stores to
prevent damage to the aircraft structure as the store falls
away.
15-28
