PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-633
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 633
AUGUST 2005
PS 633
AUG 05
43
Keep Feet Off Launcher
It's not meant to be a step and it doesn't take much to break an environmental pro-
tective cover's connectors or the latching handle.
Clean Out Shotgun Connectors
Even if you faithfully use the connec-
tor covers, dirt will sometimes get in the
connectors. Before you go on a mission,
use a flashlight to check all four sets of
connectors for dirt. If you spot any, clean
the connector with an acid-swabbing
brush and a water-detergent solution.
Use detergent, NSN 7930-00-282-9699.
Rinse the connector with clean water and
let it air dry.
Cap Umbilical Connector
If you disconnect the umbilical
cable, put a cap on the launcher con-
nector to keep dirt and sand from clog-
ging the connector. If the umbilical
connector gets plugged, you'll have
firing problems for sure. If you've lost
the connector cap, a cap from a sports
drink bottle makes a good substitute.
Store Launcher
If you're not flying mis-
sions, the best place for the
launcher is stored inside
away from rain and cold.
But don't store the launcher
standing on its end. It will
take a fall, which breaks
end caps. And don't store it
on its side. That can break
locking handles. Store it
flat on its rails.
Check for Burrs and Corrosion
What often causes missiles to hang up during loading are burrs and corrosion on
the inside of the launcher rails. As part of your weekly PMCS, check the rails for
burrs and corrosion. There is no fix for burrs other than replacing the rail.
Corrosion can be rubbed out
with the cleaning procedure in
TM 1-1520-238-23-1. Never
file or sand the launcher. The
plating residue can be danger-
ous if it gets in your lungs.
Never lube inside the rails.
Lube attracts dirt that will
make it harder to load missiles.
Use Shotgun Connector Covers
When the missiles aren’t loaded, the covers keep sand
and dirt from filling connector holes and causing poor
electrical connections. But just don't flip the covers down
and move on. Get down and make sure the covers are
completely sealing the connectors. If the covers won't
close completely, tell your repairman. He can adjust them
using the procedure in Para 2.42 in TM 9-1425-475-
23&P for the M272 launcher. For the M299 launcher, the
procedure is in TM 1-1520-longbow IETM EM 0126.
Feet kill connectors…
… and
latching
handles
Check inside rails for corrosion and burrs
Make sure covers
close completely
Clean connectors with acid brush
Cap umbilical
connector
when cable’s
disconnected
ahhh…
this is soo
comfort-
able!
633.42-43(C).qxd
6/24/05
9:56 AM
Page 1
Back to TopBack to Top
