.50 cal. gun pod mounted on universal
weapons pylon [kpgunpod.jpg]![.50 cal. gun pod mounted on universal weapons pylon [kpgunpod.jpg]](kpgunpod.jpg){kind=link}
Left side view of .50 cal. gun pod
[gunpodlt.jpg]![Left side view of .50 cal. gun pod [gunpodlt.jpg]](gunpodlt.jpg){kind=link}
Right side view of .50 cal. gun pod
[gunpodrt.jpg]The gun pod is mounted to
the universal pylon on the left side of the aircraft with
standard 14-inch pylon lugs.
.50 cal. gun pod mounted on universal
weapons pylon [kpgunpod.jpg]
Left side view of .50 cal. gun pod
[gunpodlt.jpg]
Right side view of .50 cal. gun pod
[gunpodrt.jpg]
The gun pod provides a mounting point for the XM296 machine gun, and boresight adjustments points for weapon baseline to aircraft sighting mechanism adjustments. The gun pod is comprised of a:
|
gimble ring assembly |
|
diode assembly |
|
cage assembly |
|
top plate assembly |
|
gun charger assembly |
|
electrical wiring harness |
|
electrical (gun firing) solenoid assembly |
|
rounds count sensor switch assembly |
The ginbal ring serves as
the mechanical interface between the machine gun trunnion
and the gun cradle. It provides 2-axis movement for machine
gun boresight adjustments.
Gimbal ring on XM296 machine
gun
The diode assembly is
mounted on the right rear inside the rear of the cage
assembly. The diode assembly rovides signal surge
protection for the gun firing solenoid.
The cage assembly provides
protective enclosure for the XM296 machine gun and mounting
points for the electircal wiring harness, the diode
assembly, and spent casing ejection chute. The cage
assembly consists of a forward nose shroud assembly which
minimizes aerodynamic drag on the aircraft, a mid-cage
assembly, and an aft-cage assembly.
Cage Assembly [kpcage.gif]
The top plate assembly
provides a shock-attenuating and boresightable mounting
platform for the .50 cal. machine gun, mounting points for
the cage assembly, and lug assemblies for mounting the
gunpod assembly on the universal weapons pylon ejector
rack. It consists of the top plate, two lug assemblies, and
the gun carriage assembly. The gun cradle absorbs the
recoil forces generated during weapon firing through its
recoil adapter assemblies. The recoil forces are reduced to
about 5-percent from those felt when the maching gun is
fixed-mounted.
The gun charger attaches
directly to the machine gun receiver. It provides for
remote charging of the gun; full aft and release
(load/recock), full aft and latched (unload/safe).
The electrical wiring
harness provides electrical signal interface between gun
pod components (gun charger, gun firing solenoid, diode
assembly, and rounds count sensor assembly) and the
aircraft (via the .50 cal. umbelical harness). It also
incorporates limit switches for the control of charger
motor dirve signals.
Electrical Wiring Harness
[kpgpharn.gif]
The solenoid is mounted on
the backplate of the XM296 machine gun. It provides the
means of electrically/remotely firing the machine gun. The
solenoid is adjustable for setting timing of the machine
gun.
Electrical (Gun Firing) Solenoid
Assembly [kpsolen.gif]
The rounds count sensor is
mounted to the right rear side of the receiver. The sensor
is a proximity switch which senses cycles of the breech
bolt (pin).
Rounds Count Sensor Switch Assembly
[kprctsen.gif]
![Right side view of .50 cal. gun pod [gunpodrt.jpg]](gunpodrt.jpg){kind=link}
![Cage Assembly [kpcage.gif]](kpcage.gif){kind=link}
![Electrical Wiring Harness [kpgpharn.gif]](kpgpharn.gif){kind=link}
![Electrical (Gun Firing) Solenoid Assembly [kpsolen.gif]](kpsolen.gif){kind=link}
![Rounds Count Sensor Switch Assembly [kprctsen.gif]](kprctsen.gif){kind=link}