The Universal Weapon Pylons (UWP) are installed into aircraft fittings in each side of the OH-58D helicopter's intermediate fuselage providing a means of mounting the weapons onto the aircraft. The pylons are interchangeable from left to right sides of the helicopter. The UWP consists of an arm assembly, hinged pylon assembly, and ejector rack assembly.
The arms are aluminum tubes
which curve downward from the weapon ejector racks into
aircraft fittings to transfer weapon loads to the fuselage.
The arm assembly contains a tapered collet on one end which
matches a tapered bore in the aircraft fitting. The arm is
inserted into the aircraft fitting, cross-pinned with the
expandable bolt, and the collet is driven into the fitting
by a threaded nut to provide a tight fit. On the weapon end
of the arm are provisions for a rotational fitting
containing a fixed hinge half and a cross bolt for locking
the pylon in the firing position.
The pylon assembly is attached to the weapon end of the arm assembly. It contains mechanisms required to; boresight, hinge half for folding, positioning for super elevation, and a beam for mounting the ejector rack assembly.
The rack is attached to the
pylon beam, and provides mounting points (using standard
14-inch bomb rack mounts) and jettison capability for the
weaponry. The ejector rack is electro-magnetic interference
(EMI) shielded.
The universal pylon
assembly is adjustable for boresighting in pitch, roll, and
yaw. The pylon can pitch up 2° and 4° for missile
application without re-boresighting. The pylon may be
folded-up with the weapons installed to allow for rapid
deployment on C-130 aircraft. Re-boresighting the pylon
weaponry is not required after lowering.
CAUTION: Disconnect
umbilicals before foldup. Cables and weapon systems will be
damaged if umbilicals are not disconnected before
foldup.
