AMMUNITION PALLET CRATE

The ammunition pallet crate (fig. 9-5) comes in three sizes. It consists of a steel four-way pallet on which steel wire sides and ends are attached to form an open-top container. One end of the pallet crate is removable. A hinge is located in the center so the top half folds down over the lower half for loading and unloading operations. Twelve locks secure the sides and ends, and four lifting eyes allow it to be used with hooks on appropriate slings. The deck supports are designed for stacking.

The ammunition pallet crate is used at naval shore activities to handle loose ammunition and inert items during on-station handling and transportation. This pallet is particularly useful in combatant ship loadouts or offloads at dockside or anchorage where palletization is either impractical or inefficient. Projectiles,

Figure 9-5.-Ammunition pallet crate.

cartridges, and powder tanks up to 6 inches in diameter, boxed ammunition, and various inert loads are typical of the items handled with this pallet crate.

CARRIERS

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify weapons carriers and recognize their purpose and use.

Carriers are a quick and safe means of attaching a crane cable or other hoisting device to ammunition for movement from one area to another. Some carriers are designed for horizontal lifting and some for vertical lifting. Others are used for both horizontal and vertical lifting. Vertical carriers are used for surface-employed ammunition; therefore, only horizontal carriers are discussed in the following paragraphs.

MK 43 MOD 1 WEAPONS CARRIER

The Mk 43 Mod 1 weapons carrier (fig. 9-6) is made of a 5/8-inch steel plate with two safety hooks attached by shackles. The carrier has two sets of holes for attaching the safety hooks, one set spaced at 16 7/8 inches and the other at 14 inches. It is used in conjunction with two Mk 49 Mod 1 weapons carriers to lift Mk 82 bombs (500 pounds) in tandem off different skids and trailers.

MK 49 MOD 1 WEAPONS CARRIER

The Mk 49 Mod 1 weapons carrier (fig. 9-7) is constructed of two steel plates welded together, It has four hoisting points and two attaching studs. A fixed stud at the B end of the strongback is engaged in one of the weapon suspension lugs. Then, the pivoting stud at the A end is engaged in the remaining lug and locked in place with a quick-release pin. The Mk 49 Mod 1 weapons carrier is used for horizontal lifting of weapons

Figure 9-6.-Mk 43 Mod 1 weapons carrier.

with 14-inch suspension lugs, and it has an SWL of 2,500 pounds.

MK 51 MOD 1 WEAPONS CARRIER

The Mk 51 Mod 1 weapons carrier (fig. 9-8) is an aluminum channel that is plate-carrier fitted with two steel hooks. A fixed position hook with a spring-loaded pinned latch is located at the aft end of the carrier. The forward hook is adjustable to let you attach the carrier to weapons or stores with 14- or 30-inch suspension lugs. The forward hook is held in place by a quick-release pin. Eight lifting eyes allow you to handle weapons with different centers of gravity.

Before you attach the carrier to the load, put the adjustable hook in the appropriate suspension placement hole, which is held in place by a quick-release

Figure 9-7.-Mk 49 Mod 1 weapons carrier.

Figure 9-8.-Mk 51 Mod 1 weapons carrier.

pin. With the spring-loaded latch unpinned and depressed, the carrier hooks are engaged with the weapon lugs, Release the spring-loaded latch and pin the latch in place with a quick-release pin to secure the load An instruction plate, mounted on the carrier, makes it easer for you to match the correct lifting eye to the load. The Mk 51 Mod 1 weapons carrier is used for horizontal lifting. It has an SWL of 4,000 pounds.