BOMB LOADING AND UNLOADING PROCEDURES

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify the procedures used to load and unload bombs,

As an AO, you will load ammunition on many different models of aircraft. However, the general loading and unloading procedures for most aircraft are similar. The procedures contained in this chapter don't cover every step of weapon preparation and loading. These procedures will give you basic information about representative types of ordnance that you might load in an operating squadron. The aircraft loading and unloading procedures covered in this section are general, and they are limited to aircraft bombs. When loading practice bombs, you should handle them just like live ordnance, and you must use the appropriate checklist.

Before loading bombs onto an aircraft, you must prepare and inspect the aircraft. Step-by-step procedures must be carefully followed. These procedures are found in the applicable manuals.

AIRCRAFT PREPARATION AND INSPECTION

The first step you should take when loading bombs onto parent racks and improved multiple ejector racks/improved triple ejector racks (IMERS/ITERS) is to make sure that the preloading release and control checks have been performed. Then make sure the aircraft is in the rearming area, and stations you are to load are accessible. You need to make sure that the aircraft is properly grounded.

NOTE: Electrical power may be applied to the aircraft during loading/unloading evolutions, but power is to be held to a minimum. The step "if applicable, power removed may be omitted when operational requirements dictate that a power requirement is necessary. However, unless a step procedure in the checklist calls for power, don't energize the armament circuits. Remove power from the aircraft if the step "power removed" is not preceded by "if applicable."

If applicable, make sure that electrical power is removed from the aircraft. Also, make sure the aircraft is properly grounded. Ground the aircraft by using an authorized ground cable (fig. 14-1) connected to a

Figure 14-1.-Typical aircraft ground strap.

Figure 14-2.-Typical aircraft grounding point ashore.

certified ground eyelet (fig. 14-2) or a common static ground. Next, connect the cable to an authorized ground receptacle or unpainted surface of the aircraft. You should refer to Electrical Grounding for Aircraft Safety, MIL-HDBK-247(AS), for further information on aircraft grounding.

Ensure, if applicable, that safety pins are installed in all loaded parent racks, and verify that all cockpit armament selectors are in the OFF or SAFE position.

Next, open the pylon access doors on all parent stations to be loaded. Verify that the cartridges are removed from the breech chambers and the auxiliary release unit. Retract the sway braces to the full up position, retract the ejector foot to the full up position, and open all suspension hooks.

If you are going to load an IMER/ITER, verify that an adapter connector and an electric fuze adapter harness (if applicable) are installed. Also, make sure the pullout bails are attached to the bail bar.

The following information will give you some idea of the steps you would follow to prepare or inspect an IMER/ITER for loading. Visually inspect the parent rack to ensure a safety pin is installed and the rack is locked. Make sure the parent rack breech caps are removed, the cartridges are not installed, and the parent rack sway braces and ejector foot are properly adjusted _{and positioned.} Also, there should be an adapter connector installed in the aircraft and connected to the IMER/ITER with the pullout bail attached to the bail bar (fig. 14-3).

If electric fuzing is used, you need to check that an electric fuze adapter harness is installed and connected to the IMER/ITER. If applicable, make sure the pullout bail is attached to the bail bar, as shown in figure 14-3. Then, disconnect the breech caps and verify that the cartridges are removed from all ejector units. Make sure the breech caps are positioned to prevent damage during weapons loading. Then, open all suspension hooks. Adjust the inboard sway braces to the diameter of the weapon, as shown in

Figure 14-3.-Typical IMER/ITER harness configuration.

Figure 14-4. Adjust all other sway braces to the full up position. Finally, retract the ejector feet to the full up position

WEAPON INSPECTION

All weapons must be inspected before you can load them. If they don't meet the inspection criteria, you must reject them and notify the proper authority,