The  lower  firing  lanyard  is  attached  to  the connector link next to the suspension lines. Two suspension  lines  and  a  loop  from  the  parachute hem  are  attached  to  each  slug.  A  cover  plate  holds the two lines and loop in the channels of each slug. OPERATION When actuated, the parachute canopy deploys by either an internal pilot chute or by the external pilot   chute.    Just  prior  to  full  canopy  and suspension  line  deployment,  the  firing  lanyard pulls  the  firing  pin  from  the  firing  mechanism. This  releases  the  striker,  which  strikes  the  cartridge primer.  As  the  cartridge  fires,  the  14  slugs  are propelled outward. They simultaneously drag the attached  suspension  lines  outward  in  a  360-degree spread.  This  firing  sequence  occurs  prior  to  any tension  being  placed  on  the  suspension  lines. Spreading is stopped when tension starts to build up  in  the  suspension  lines;  so,  at  high  speed  it produces  a  4-foot  diameter  mouth,  and  at  low speed,  it  produces  an  8-foot  diameter  mouth. In  the  event  of  a  cartridge  malfunction,  a “fail-safe”  backup  subsystem  operates.  After  the firing pin is withdrawn, the firing lanyard exerts 25  to  38  pounds  of  tension  on  the  fail-safe assembly  sleeve,  which  retracts  the  shear  band assembly. This releases the slugs and allows the canopy  to  inflate  aerodynamically. IDENTIFICATION   AND   HANDLING An   identification   tag   is   attached   to   the spreader  gun  and  contains  the  following  data: nomenclature, manufacturer’s   part   number, revision  status,  serial  number,  date  of  manu- facture, and   name   and   address   of   the manufacturer. A  warning  label  is  sewn  on  each  side  of  the sleeve  protecting  the  firing  lanyard  and  to  the outer pack assembly. This label reads as follows: WARNING THIS   PARACHUTE   CONTAINS   A CARTRIDGE   ACTUATED   DEVICE. FOR HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS SEE PARACHUTE   PACKING   MANUAL. There is a tag attached to the safety pin that reads:  “REMOVE  PIN  BEFORE  PACKING.” Assemblies  shipped  without  a  cartridge  must  have a shipping plug installed. Service Life Refer  to  NAVAIR  11-100-1-1  for  the  shelf/ installed life of the spreading gun cartridge. The service  life  expiration  date  (month  and  year)  is marked  with  indelible  ink  on  the  side  of  each cartridge. NOTE:   If   the   date   the   sealed   con- tainer was opened is not available, the INSTALLED  LIFE is computed from the date of manufacture as determined from the lot number. Log Entries You  should  enter  on  the  Parachute  History and Record Card the date of primary installation of the spreader gun to the parachute canopy, the lot  number,  expiration  date,  part  number,  CAD DODIC, and date of manufacture or overhaul of the  cartridge. Safety Precautions Treat   the   spreader strument. The spreader as  class  C  ammunition gun  as  a  delicate  in- gun cartridge is treated in  accordance  with  the general safety precautions given in the cartridge manual   (NAVAIR   11-100-1.1). WARNING YOU  MUST  ALWAYS  REMEMBER THAT  THE  BALLISTIC  SPREADING GUN IS LETHAL WHEN ACTIVATED WITHOUT   A   CANOPY   ATTACHED. DO NOT REMOVE THE SAFETY PIN UNTIL   THE   PROPER   TIME   AS PRESCRIBED   IN   THE   PACKING MANUAL. DO   NOT   REMOVE   LANYARD   RE- TAINING   PIN   WHEN   REPLACING UPPER  RETAINING  CORD. NOTE: Be sure that the cartridge service life will not expire prior to the next service check. Be sure the cartridge expiration date is entered in the Parachute History and Re- cord Card. 2-11