CHAPTER 10
SUSPENSION, ARMING, AND
RELEASING EQUIPMENT
The Navy uses complex suspension, arming, and
releasing devices in combat aircraft and weapons. The
high speed and performance of potential targets and our
own aircraft require the electronic operation of
suspension, arming, and releasing equipment.
The equipment covered in this chapter is part of the
aircraft search or kill stores systems. Generally, these
devices operate electrically and are controlled by
aircraft electrical circuits. They are actuated manually
by a hand switch or automatically by a circuit-closing
device in the system.
BOMB RACKS
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify the
purpose and use of bomb racks. Recognize the
bomb racks used for various configurations,
and identify the operation of bomb racks to
include electrical and manual release and
arming.
Aircraft bombs, torpedoes, mines, and other stores
are suspended internally or externally from the aircraft
by bomb racks. Bomb racks carry, arm, and release
stores.
AERO 65A SERIES BOMB RACK
Aero 65A bomb racks are used to suspend,
selectively arm, and release 1,000-pound class stores.
These stores have suspension hooks spaced 14 inches
apart. When used with the Aero 1A adapter assembly,
you can suspend weapons/stores with lugs spaced 30
inches apart and weighing up to 2,000 pounds. Some
Aero 65A bomb rack models are pylon mounted to the
wing stations of the P-3C aircraft.
Aero 65A series bomb racks (fig. 10-1) consist of a
frame. Mounted inside the frame are an electrical
release unit, two arming solenoids, two hook assemblies
(spaced 14 inches apart), a manual release cable
assembly, a release linkage assembly, a hook tie linkage
assembly, and a cable assembly.
The frame is a U-shaped, alloy steel channel. It has
holes at both ends so you can mount it in an aircraft or
attach Aero 1A adapter assemblies. Access holes in the
frame let you visually verify that the hook closing is
latched. These holes let you insert the safety pin,
cocking lever, and hoist bracket.
The electrical release unit is a spring-loaded
plunger. It is mechanically cocked and electrically
released to provide the force that initiates hook release.
Figure 10-1.—Cutaway view of a typical Aero 65A bomb rack.
10-1
