ADU-299/E MISSILE LAUNCHER ADAPTER

The ADU-299/E missile launcher adapter (fig. 3-28) is attached to the parent rack of wing stations 1, 2,4, and 5 on A-6 aircraft. The adapter is used to adapt the LAU-7 missile launcher to the parent rack providing Sidewinder missile capabilities for A-6 aircraft. Mechanical attachment of the adapter to the ejector rack is provided by two suspension lugs on 30-inch centers. Mechanical attachment of the adapter to the LAU-7 launcher is provided by two swivel nuts positioned on 30-inch centers to mate with the launcher bolts. When the launcher and adapters are electrically connected and mechanically mated, electrical power is supplied by an adapter harness from the wing pylon to the aft end of the adapter.

LAU-127 GUIDED MISSILE LAUNCHER

The LAU-127 guided missile launcher (fig. 3-29) is designed to carry and launch the AIM-120 series AMRAAM missile. The LAU-127 will also be capable of launching the AIM-9 series sidewinder missile.

LAU-132 GUIDED MISSILE LAUNCHER

The LAU-132 guided missile launcher is similar in appearance and operation to the LAU-93 launcher. The LAU-132 was developed for carriage and launch of the AIM-54C Phoenix missile on the F-14D aircraft.

Figure 3-27.-LAU-93/A guided missile launcher. 3-30

Figure 3-28.-ADU-299/E missile launcher adapter.

GUIDED MISSILE HANDLING

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify the methods used in guided missile handling afloat and ashore.

The establishment of the all-up-round (AUR) concept simplified the handling of guided missiles at the user level. The AUR concept has improved the reliability, availability, and logistics support of current guided missiles used by fleet activities.

NAD/NWS/MMMUs

The service life of an AUR missile begins at a naval ammunition depot (NAD) or a naval weapons station (NWS). The NAD or NWS receives the individual components of a missile from the manufacturer. The NAD or NWS assembles the components to make up a complete round, performing the required operational checks and tests. The AUR is then packed into a missile container and is stored as RFI (ready for issue). The missile logbook is also packed inside the missile container. The missile logbook is compiled from the operational records that are received with each component. This logbook remains with the missile until the missile is either expended (fired) or disassembled.

Mobile missile maintenance units (MMMUs) are assigned to areas close to overseas operating forces. Generally, they are located at a naval air station (NAS) or a naval magazine station (NAVMAGSTA). The purpose of MMMUs is to upgrade missiles from a non-RFI (not ready for issue) status to an RFI status. This prevents the time-consuming and costly procedure of shipping non-RFI missiles from overseas operating areas back to the United States for component replacement or scheduled checks and tests, This quick turnaround time increases missile availability to deployed operating units in the fleet.

AFLOAT

Under the AUR concept, missiles are received aboard ship in containers completely assembled except for the wings and fins. Depending upon the particular missile and the type of container involved, the wings and fins may or may not be shipped in the same container as

Figure 3-29.-LAU-127 guided missile launcher.

fins may or may not be shipped in the same container as ^{the missile. In most cases, the wings and fins are} shipped in separate containers that contain either one ^{complete set of wings and fins (4 wings and 4 fins) or two sets of wings and fins (8 wings and 8 fins).} 

_{When containerized missiles, wings, and fins are} received aboard ship, the containers are inspected for any obvious damage. When the inspection reveals a damaged container, it must be sent to the decanning area to be opened for inspection of the missile or wings and fins. When a container, missile, or wings and fins do not meet the inspection criteria listed in the appropriate technical manual, they must be tagged non-RFI and kept separate from RFI material for later turn-in. Missiles, wings, and fins can be either deep stowed in magazines still in their sealed containers, or they can be decanned, inspected, and stowed in stanchions located in ready-service magazines or missile magazines. Missiles that are deep stowed in their sealed containers can be off-loaded as RFI. However, when the seal has been broken and/or the missiles, wings, or fins removed from the container, the missiles, wings, and fins must be tagged non-RFI and off-loaded to the appropriate NAD, NWS, or MMMU.

When missiles are decanned for ready service, the missile logbooks are removed from the empty containers and turned into the aviation ordnance control station (AOCS), where they are kept on file until the missile is fired (expended) or off-loaded. When the missile is fired, the missile logbook is mailed to the appropriate NAD or NWS. When the missile is to be off-loaded, the logbook must be placed in the missile container.