PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-713
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 713
APRIL 2012
37
PS 713
APR 12
Seal out dirt and sand—
Loading and
fring will be much easier iF you prevent dirt
and sand From plugging shotgun connectors.
With the missiles downloaded, inspect the
shotgun connectors to ensure they are Free
From obstructions and debris. Make sure the
doors and seals are in good shape. IF the seals
are torn, damaged or missing or the door
doesn’t align properly on the shotgun probes,
tell your repairman.
When
the
launcher
is
downloaded,
the
umbilical
connector
W1J5
on
the
M299
launcher and W1J1 connector on the M272/
M279 launcher are unprotected From dirt and
debris. Protect the connector by installing its
cap, NSN 5340-01-499-8793. IF you’ve lost
the cap, the cleaned cap From a sports drink
bottle makes a good substitute until you can
get a new cap.
OF course, no matter how valiant your
eFForts, eventually those connectors are going
to get dirt in them. BeFore a mission, check
all wiring harness connectors For dirt. IF you
spot any, clean the connector with a paint
brush and a water-detergent solution. NSN
7930-00-282-9699 gets a good detergent. Use
the brush and solution to loosen up any dirt
and then ±ush the connector with clean water.
Let the connectors air dry and ensure they are
completely dry beFore loading any missiles.
Check for burrs and corrosion—
What oFten causes the 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.
Corrosion
can
be
rubbed
oFF by Following the cleaning
procedures
in
TM
9-1425-
475-23&P. Never fle or sand
the
launcher.
The
plating
residue can be dangerous iF it
gets in your lungs. Don’t put
lube on the rails either. That
just attracts dirt and sand.
Handle latching handle problems—
Sometimes you can load a missile and
think you’re ready to go. But the missile
isn’t really locked in and can Fall oFF
during ±ight. That’s not an easy one to
explain away. AFter you’ve loaded the
missiles, Feel the latching handles For
movement. IF the handle moves Freely, the
missile isn’t locked in. Slide the missile
Forward and then try and reseat it.
Troubleshooting help—
The launcher test station (LTS), NSN 4935-01-475-
9118, makes troubleshooting much easier and Faster.
When used with the AN/
AWM 101A test set, NSN 4935-01-452-0958, the launcher can be tested oFF the
aircraFt and any problems can be fxed right away. Plus you can quickly check all
your unit’s launchers prior to installing them on the aircraFt.
Make sure
shotgun
connector
doors seal
connectors
Cap umbilical connector when
cable’s disconnected
Clean connectors with acid brush
Check inside rails for
corrosion and burrs
If handle has play, missile is
not
locked in
now I’m
ready to
cause some
major
damage!
if the launcher is going to be
stored or transported
outside
its container, it’s a good idea to
remove
the latching handles and
store them someplace
safe.
Otherwise,
they will end up
broken off.
713 36-37.indd
1-2
3/7/12
5:32 PM
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