AN/ALE-29A Countermeasures Chaff Dispensing Set

aircraft parachute flares. The SUU-25F/A dispenser is made up of four aluminum tubes housed in a supporting frame and covered with aluminum skin. Each tube is loaded with a pair of flares configured with a flare adapter kit. The dispenser allows the flares to be ejected one at a time, thereby doubling the mission capability over previous models. Each tube has two flares. The forward bulkhead (A) of the dispenser has breech assemblies for eight impulse cartridges (one for each flare). Four aft retaining links (B) attached to the rear bulkhead keeps the aft flares in the dispenser tubes until they are ejected. When initiated by the pilot, the impulse cartridge in the number 1 breech will be fired. The resulting gas pressure is routed into the launcher tube. Gas pressure buildup will be sufficient enough to force the flare aft and shear the aft retaining lock shear pin, allowing a single flare to be ejected from the launcher tube. A stepper switch automatically steps the firing circuit in the dispenser to the next tube. Each subsequent activation of the firing circuit steps the stepper switch and repeats the process for the remaining tubes. AN/ALE-29A Countermeasures Chaff Dispensing Set The AN/ALE-29A countermeasures chaff dispensing set (chaff dispenser) (fig. 8-35) is an electronic device installed in most Navy combat aircraft. The chaff dispenser ejects cartridge-loaded configurations of Mk 46 or MJU-8/B decoy flares and RR-129 or RR-144 chaff. Decoy flares are used during evasive maneuvers against heat-seeking missiles. Chaff rounds consist of extremely fine shredded metal strips in a cylindrical metal container. When ejected, the metal strips cause a jamming effect against ground-controlled radar installations or radar-controlled missiles. GUIDED MISSILE LAUNCHERS A guided missile launcher provides mechanical and electrical means of suspending and air launching a guided missile from an aircraft. The launcher either ejects the missile or the missile leaves the launcher rails under its own power. Each of these type launchers is discussed briefly in the following text. 8-28 USE TAPERED END TO PRESS OUT FIRED UNITS TL-762/ALM-70 CHAFF SLEEVE EXTRACTOR USE BLUNT END TO PRESS OUT UNFIRED UNITS PLASTIC BLOCK CARTRIDGE RETAINER PLASTIC SLEEVE CHAFF/FLARE LIMIT PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD CAPTIVE SCREWS ANF0835 Figure 8-35.—AN/ALE-29A countermeasures chaff dispensing set. POWER SUPPLY MECHANISM NITROGEN RECEIVER DETENTS, STRIKER POINTS, AND SNUBBERS HOUSING ASSEMBLY SAFETY PIN/ DETENT WRENCH DETENT HOLD- DOWN PIN FIN RETAINER SPRING ANF0836 Figure 8-36.—LAU-7/A (series) guided missile launcher.