Q8.
List the parts contained in the main body of
the rotor assembly.
Q9.
What assembly provides the main cam path
that controls the movement of the breech-bolt
assemblies?
Q10.
What lubricant should you use for the M61A1
gun?
M61A1 GUN PRINCIPLES OF
OPERATION
The operation of the M61A1 gun is divided into
two distinct cycles—the firing cycle and the clearing
cycle.
Firing Cycle
The firing cycle begins when power is applied to
the firing contact assembly and the gun drive unit
simultaneously.
If you look at the rotor from the rear, you see that it
revolves in a counterclockwise direction. The am-
munition is received from an external source. It is
guided into the extractor lip on a breech-bolt assembly
by the guide bar fingers (fig. 6-8). The bolt roller shaft
follows the main cam path and moves the bolt assembly
forward along the rotor tracks, chambering the round.
As the breech-bolt assembly enters the front dwell
area of the main cam path, the locking cam forces the
bolt shaft down, locking the bolt in the front locking
6-7
Figure 6-8.—Round guided into breech-bolt assembly.
