LRU-14 SERIES LIFE RAFT ASSEMBLY

The LRU-14 series life raft assembly consists of an inflation assembly (carbon dioxide cylinder and inflation valve) and a 12-man raft. Two types of carbon dioxide cylinders and two types of inflation valves are approved for service use.

The life raft is made up of a two-compartment main tube; a smaller single-compartment upper tube, which is permanently attached to the top of the main tube; an inflatable seat attached to the main tube; a noninflatable floor attached to the bottom of the main tube and seat; a two-section inflatable floor tied to the inside of the noninflatable floor; and a sea anchor, which is used to retard drifting.

A lifeline and a supply pocket are attached to the main tube. Boarding and righting handles are attached to the main tube and both floors. Survival equipment and raft accessories, stowed in the accessory container, provide for the safety and survival of the aircrewmen. The lifeline also provides a means for securing the accessory containers to the raft. Topping-off valves are located on the upper tube, inflatable seat, and on both sections of the inflatable floor. The LRU-14

Figure 6-5.-LRU-14 series life raft assembly, parts nomenclature.

series life raft assembly parts nomenclature is shown in figure 6-5.

EQUIPMENT AND SURVIVAL ITEMS

CNO has established survival equipment lists as standards for all concerned. These lists provide sufficient equipment and items for 24-hour survival.

The LRU-14 series life raft equipment, survival item requirements, and the applicable storage container are listed in table 6-5.

NOTE: To make up the package life raft assembly complete with accessories and survival items, all required components not supplied with the raft assembly must be individually requisitioned.

OPERATION

The LRU-14 series life raft assembly is inflated by pulling the inflation assembly actuating handle, located under the carrying case end flap. The inflation assembly inflates the main tube only. After the survivor boards the raft, the upper tube, seat, and floor sections should be inflated through the topping-off valves, with the hand pump provided in the accessory container.

The LRU-14 series life raft assembly can either be dropped to survivors or used by aircrewmen in the event of an emergency. The raft is stowed either in a readily accessible area inside the aircraft fuselage or in an aircraft compartment designed for rafts.

Prior to packing, the LRU-14 series life raft assembly should be updated with the modifications listed in NAVAIR 13-1-6.1.

The LRU-14 series life raft assembly maybe packed for droppable or aircraft installation. The method used depends upon aircraft application (fig. 6-6).

LRU-15/A LIFE RAFT ASSEMBLY

The LRU-15/A life raft assembly consists of an inflation assembly (carbon dioxide cylinder, inflation valve, and cover) and a 20-man life raft.

The life raft is made up of two singlecompartment circular tubes connected by an equilizer tube; a noninflatable floor suspended

Figure 6-6.-LRU-14 series folding procedures (droppable). 6-15

between the circular tubes; and a boarding ramp permanently attached to each circular tube. The floor is equipped with a built-in inflatable floor support, and the inflatable boarding ramps are located on opposite sides of the raft.

A sea anchor, used to retard drifting, is stowed in the sea anchor pocket, which is located at the junction of the circular tubes. An inner lifeline, boarding handles, a heaving line, and emergency survival equipment, stowed in the accessory container, are provided for the safety and survival of the aircrewmen. The inner lifeline, attached to the floor, and the boarding handles, attached to the circular tubes and boarding ramps, are used to secure the accessory container to the raft. Topping-off valves are located on each side of the tubes. A topping-off valve is also located on each side of the floor support. The LRU-15/A life raft assembly parts and nomenclature are shown in figure 6-7.