assembly, and/or locking ring assembly. An alternate
hole and pin arrangement on the top and bottom is
arranged so that the shockpans interlock when the
launchers are stacked. The cover is equipped with a
rubber seal ring that, when compressed by the locking
ring assembly, forms a watertight closure over the end
of the launcher.
RF/Thermal Barriers
RF/Thermal
barriers
consist
of
a
molded,
expanded, polystyrene bead base with an aluminum foil
coating cemented to the outer surface. RF/Thermal
barriers are used on 2.75-inch pods to prevent the entry
of electromagnetic radiation into the rocket igniter
circuit. Equally important is the barrier on the aft end of
the pod. It prevents exposure of the igniter lead contact.
The LAU-61 and LAU-68 use the aft barrier only. The
barriers remain installed for flight and are removed by
impact or blast when the rocket is fired.
COMMON COMPONENTS
Rocket launcher packages have several com-
ponents that are common to all or most launcher
packages. Any notable differences are pointed out in
the following discussion.
REVIEW NUMBER 4 ANSWERS
A1.
The 2.75-inch airborne rocket is used as an
air-to-ground weapon against most targets.
A2.
Aboard ship, weapons department ordnance-
men assemble rocket components according
to ships and load plans, and deliver them to
the squadron ordnancemen who load them
onto the aircraft.
Fairings
Frangible fairings (fig. 2-17) are made of an
impregnated molded fiber designed with a waffle- or
grenade-type structure that shatters readily upon rocket
impact or from a blast. The fairings fit flush with the
outside surface of the center section and form an
aerodynamically smooth joint. The forward fairing
consists
of
a
one-piece
molded
section
that
disintegrates on rocket impact. The tail fairing for the
LAU-10 (series) (fig. 2-17, view A) is molded in two
sections (nose and base). The rocket blast shatters the
nose portion. The base section remains on the launcher
and acts as a choke or funnel to direct debris away from
the aircraft. The tail fairings for the LAU-61 and
LAU-68
(series)
are
distinctively
different
in
appearance (fig. 2-17, view B). They are made of
aluminum and are open on both ends. They function in
the same manner as the base section of the tail fairing
for the LAU-10 (series).
Fairings are not shipped with the rocket launcher
packages. They must be ordered separately and are
received
in
sets
packaged
in
cylindrical-shaped
cardboard fairing containers (fig. 2-16).
Fairings are not used in all applications. You should
review the specific aircraft tactical manual for any
restrictions in their use.
Breaker Switch
A breaker switch is used on all rocket launchers.
The breaker switch is a safe-arm device that prevents
loaded rockets from firing. It is usually located on the
top of the center section of the launcher between the aft
end and the aft electrical receptacle.
With the detent pin installed in the breaker switch,
the electrical system is grounded in the safe position
and the rockets won't fire. The detent pin has a
REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT red streamer attached.
Pull the pin immediately before the aircraft takes off
and install it immediately after the aircraft lands.
Install the detent pin in the breaker switch before
loading the launcher with rocket motors. Keep detent
pin installed, except during actual flight, until the
launcher is downloaded and/or verified as being empty.
Mode Selector Switch
The mode selector switch is used on all launchers.
The switch is located in the aft bulkhead of the
launcher. The switch permits preflight selection of
either ripple or single firing of the rockets by
controlling the functioning of the pod intervalometer.
Intervalometer
The intervalometer for the LAU-10 (series) pods is
located in the forward bulkhead of the center section
and in the aft bulkhead for the LAU-61 and LAU-68
(series). Intervalometers, whether installed in 5.0-inch
or 2.75-inch launchers, perform the same function.
If the mode selector switch is in the SINGLE fire
position, the intervalometer fires one rocket on each
firing pulse. If the mode selector switch in the 19-shot
pod is in the SINGLE fire position, the intervalometer
fires the rockets in pairs. If the mode selector switch is
2-16