PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-588
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 588
NOVEMBER 2001
Don't store gear in the
avionics compartment.
The remote Hellfire elec-
tronics unit (RHE) has a
delicate J6 connector. A
duffel bag can snap it
right off and keep you
from firing any missiles.
And it's difficult to get
replacement connectors.
Once the umbilical cable
connector is plugged into the
aircraft, leave it plugged in.
Plugging and unplugging the
umbilical just increases the
danger of damaging the aircraft
connector. If you need to fold
up the launcher, disconnect the
connector on the launcher.
Check before you plug it in.
If you plug in the launcher umbilical cable con-
nector without first checking both the launcher and aircraft connectors for obstruc-
tions and bent pins, you risk a 3-day repair job. That's
how long it takes to replace the aircraft connector.
If you spot dirt or sand in the aircraft connector,
clean it out with an air hose and an artist's brush.
Stubborn dirt on pins can be cleaned with water
and detergent. After cleaning, rinse the connectors
with clean water and then put isopropyl alcohol on
the pins.
Check the umbilical connector for bent pins,
particularly pins 98 and 99. If you have any doubts
about either connector, don't plug in the umbilical
connector. Get your repairman to check it out.
PS 588
NOV 01
41
PS 588
40
I
t stands to reason. If your Kiowa Warrior's M279 missile launcher is in bad shape,
you won't be launching too many Hellfires. Good launching begins with launcher
care and PM.
Never stack launchers
on top of each other
when you remove them
from the aircraft.
That
crushes the launcher's
umbilical
connector.
Keep the launchers in
their protective cases.
Don't step on the launcher.
It may
look like a good step, but the launcher is
not built to hold your weight. If you step
on it, you damage the environmental
cover assembly and, worse yet, bend the
launcher rail. Result: the missile doesn't
hit the target or doesn't even make it off
the launcher.
Eyeball the stop block and
rail stop on each rail.
If a
block is worn, a missile could
slide right off the launcher. If a
rail stop is working itself out,
the missile won't stay locked
in. Your mechanic can replace
worn stop blocks and rail stops.
Check connectors for dirt
and bent pins
before
plugging in cable
Don’t step
on launcher
Stacking launchers crushes umbilical connector
If you need to
unplug launcher…
…unplug launcher
umbilical connector
are you
ready
for some
serious
missile
launching?
are you
kidding?
Have you
seen
the
shape
of my
launcher?
Hellfire Missile System.
..
Whatever
you do,
don’t
stack
launchers!
Stop block or
rail stops worn?
Gear busts J6
connector
588. 40-41(C)
9/30/01
5:16 PM
Page 1
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