weapons support equipment (WSE), and logistics support equipment (LSE). ARMAMENT SUPPORT EQUIPMENT The  ASE  includes  all  equipment  whose  primary function is to support the installed aircraft systems and is used primarily by an aircraft intermediate maintenance department or squadron. Armament Handling Equipment includes special  tools  used  to  support  the  aircraft  in  providing handling, movement, installation, configuration, arming,   loading   and   downloading   of   air-launched weapons,   airborne   armament   systems,   or   weapon related  components.  Armament  handling  equipment includes  bomb  hoists,  single  hoist  loading  systems, weapon  loaders,  boresights,  and  special  tools  used  to remove,   replace,   repair,   test,   assemble,   or   service aircraft    bomb    racks,    missile    launchers,    installed machine guns, or gun pod units. WEAPONS SUPPORT EQUIPMENT The  WSE  includes  all  equipment  whose  primary function is to support explosive ordnance components or  weapons.  The  WSE  is  divided  into  two  categories, weapons handling equipment and weapons test equipment. Weapons   Handling   Equipment   includes   both peculiar and common ordnance handling and transportation  equipment,  as  well  as  tools  used  for canning    and    decanning,    magazine    handling,    and assembly of weapons or ordnance-related commodities.   The   WSE   includes   hoisting   beams, weapons carriers, strongbacks, handlift trucks, weapon skids,   trailers,   bomb   trucks   (nonself-powered),   and their associated weapons assembly tables, maintenance stands, and other weapon-related equipment. The WSE supports both air- and surface-launched weapons. LOGISTICS SUPPORT EQUIPMENT The LSE consists of equipment used for packaging, bulk handling storage, or stowage and transportation of weapons  and  weapon  components  within  the  weapon logistics   cycle.   LSE   includes   weapons   packaging equipment,  ship  loading  or  underway  replenishment equipment,  installed  shipboard  or  shore-based  equip- ment, and industrial materials handling equipment. Weapons   Packaging   Equipment   consists    of missile  containers,  pallets,  boxes,  and  fleet-issue  unit loads that contain ordnance and ancillary equipment. Ship  Loading  and  Underway  Replenishment Equipment    consists    of    connected    replenishment slings,  vertical  replenishment  pole  pendants,  spreader bars, beams, missile transfer dollies, etc. Installed Shipboard or Shore-Based Equipment includes dunnaging, C-grabs, birail or monorail hoist, tie-downs, davits, bomb elevators, conveyors, and other fixed or moveable handling equipment. Industrial Material Handling Equipment includes  forklifts,  warehouse  tractors,  pallet  trucks, platform trucks, etc. PALLETS LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify the purpose and use of pallets to include safe loads. A pallet is a wood or metal platform used to stack material  for  movement  from  one  area  to  another.  You use pallets to store and handle bombs, cartridge tanks, projectiles,   rocket   containers,   rocket   heads,   rocket motors,  and  unit  loads.  When  live  ammunition  and explosives are involved, use metal pallets. Metal pallets are more durable than wood pallets, are not subject to warping, and do not present a fire hazard. STANDARD FOUR-WAY WOOD PALLET The   standard   four-way   pallet   (fig.   9-2)   is   a nine-post wood pallet that provides four-way entry for forklift and pallet trucks. The wings (overhang) at each end   allow   sling   installations.   The   slots   in   the   two top-deck  members  are  used  to  install  steel  strapping, which  provides  load  restraint.  The  pallet  measures  48 inches  in  length  and  40  inches  in  width.  It  has  a  safe working    load    (SWL)    of    4,000    pounds.    It    is    a general-purpose  pallet  used  primarily  for  shipment  of domestic unit loads of ordnance. 9-2 Figure 9-2.—Standard four-way pallet.