SUU-44 FLARE DISPENSER

The SUU-44 flare dispenser (fig. 10-32) provides the capability for suspending and launching eight Mk 45 aircraft parachute flares equipped with drogue trays. Refer to figure 10-32 as you read this section. The dispenser has four dispenser tubes. A shear latch (fig. 10-32, view B) is attached to the rear bulkhead to retain the flares in the tube. Each tube holds two flares. After the flares have been inserted into the tubes,

Figure 10-32.-SUU-44 flare dispenser.

Figure 10-33.-SUU-25F/A dispenser.

rotate the shear latch over the tube opening and fasten it with a shear pin.

Four breeches and breech caps and a spider assembly can be mounted on the forward bulkhead. During dispenser loading and unloading procedures, remove the breech caps and breeches to prevent air pressure buildup when inserting the flares. With the breech caps removed, flares can be pushed rearward during unloading (fig. 10-32, view A). A reusable nose fairing is installed prior to flight to provide protection to the spider assembly and reduce drag. When installed, the detent safety pin electrically safes the dispenser.

During flight operations, the cartridge is fired by an electrical firing pulse routed from the aircraft to the breech of the dispenser. Gas pressure is metered into the forward end of one of the tubes. The expanding gas pressure from the cartridge exerts force against the two flares in the tube. When sufficient force is developed to shear the shear pin off the latch assembly, both flares are ejected into the airstream.

The force of the airstream causes the drogue trays to separate from the flares, pulling the safety pins from the flare fuzes. Further separation pulls the flare lanyard to initiate the flare timing mechanism.

After the cartridge fires, the dispenser intervalometer automatically steps to the next position and is ready for firing the next tube.

Maintenance procedures for the dispenser are concerned with cleaning and inspecting. For further information about the SUU-44 dispenser, refer to SUU-44 Dispenser, NAVAIR 11-75AA-44.

SUU-25F/A DISPENSER

The SUU-25F/A dispenser (fig. 10-33) is an airborne, externally mounted, reusable four-tube, rearward ejecting-launching device, The dispenser may and is authorized to carry the SUU-25F/A dispenser.

The SUU-25F/A dispenser has two main advantages over the SUU-44 dispenser. It can dispense one store at a time, thus doubling its operational capability. It also has the capability of ejecting eight size A sonobuoys.

The SUU-25F/A has a cylindrically shaped, all-metal body. It has four aluminum tubes that will hold either eight LUU-2B/B aircraft parachute flares or eight size A sonobuoys. The tubes are 5 inches in diameter, clustered together inside an outer skin. There is an aluminum die-cast bulkhead at each end. When empty, the dispenser weighs 260 pounds. When loaded with eight LUU-2B/B flares, it weighs 490 pounds. When loaded with eight size A sonobuoys, it weighs from 435 to 572 pounds.

The shipping and flight configuration of the dispenser is shown in figure 10-33. The shipping configuration (view A) has shock pan assemblies at either end of the dispenser so it is easier to handle during shipment and storage. A lockwire is attached to the two suspension lugs to prevent them from becoming lost during shipment or storage. Both the lockwire and shock pan assemblies must be removed before the dispenser is used. When the dispenser is configured for flight (view B), a phenolic or metal cover (nose cone) is mounted on the forward flange. Covers are not shipped with the dispenser, they are ordered as separate components.

As you read the following section on the SUU-25F/A dispenser, look at figure 10-34 for the location and identification of the components.

Figure 10-34.-SUU-25F/A dispenser, exploded view. 10-29

The breech, breech cap, breech lead, downloading breech, downloading breech cap, the manifold, and the stepper switch are located on the forward bulkhead