SHEAR WIRE ADAPTOR KIT

Abstract

Arming apparatus is installable between twin arming units (101, 102) of an ejector release unit in a military aircraft, and a single fuzing unit (74) of a store (78). The arming apparatus comprises sequentially breakable links (221, 222, 223) which ensure reliable ejection of the store in an armed state, or jettisoning of the store in an unarmed state, as desired.

Claims

1. Assembled or as a kit, arming apparatus for a store, the arming apparatus being connectable in use between a pair of arming units (AUs) of an ejector release unit (ERU) and a fuzing unit (FZU) of the store, the arming apparatus comprising: a first tension member having an upper end attachable to a first one of the AUs and a lower end attachable to the store; a second tension member having an upper end attachable to a second one of the AUs and a lower end attachable to the store; the first and second tension members comprising a plurality of breakable links which are arranged so that one or more first ones of the breakable links has to be broken before one or more second ones of the breakable links can be broken, when the store is to be ejected from the ERU in an armed state; wherein the arming apparatus further comprises: (a) a FZU actuation lanyard having a first end couplable or coupled to the first tension member, and a second end couplable or coupled to the second tension member; and (b) a further breakable link provided in either the FZU actuation lanyard or in a third tension member couplable or coupled between the FZU actuation lanyard and the FZU.

2. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which some or all of the breakable links remain unbroken when the store is ejected from the ERU in an unarmed state.

3. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the first and second tension members each respectively comprise one of the first breakable links; the first tension member further comprising a first flexible drop link spanning the first breakable link thereof and having a length when extended straight that is greater than the length of the spanned portion of the first tension member when its first breakable link is intact and that spanned portion is extended straight; the second tension member further comprising a second flexible drop link spanning the first breakable link thereof and having a length when extended straight that is greater than the length of the spanned portion of the second tension member when its first breakable link is intact and that spanned portion is extended straight.

4. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the second breakable links are calibrated to break under a higher tensile force than the first breakable links, and are provided: (a) in either: (i) the first tension member above or below the first drop link, or (ii) in the first drop link, as well as: (b) in either: (i) the second tension member above or below the second drop link, or (ii) in the second drop link.

5. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein: the first end of the FZU actuation lanyard is couplable or coupled either: (i) to the first tension member at a position between its first breakable link and its upper end, or (ii) to the first flexible drop link; and the second end of the FZU actuation lanyard is couplable or coupled either: (i) to the second tension member at a position between its first breakable link and its upper end, or (ii) to the second flexible drop link.

6. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the first end of the FZU actuation lanyard is releasably coupled to the first tension member and/or the second end of the FZU actuation lanyard is releasably coupled to the second tension member.

7. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the second breakable links are located in the first and second tension members at a position above the FZU actuation lanyard coupling positions.

8. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the FZU actuation lanyard is configured to slide longitudinally relative to the FZU.

9. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which an upper end of the third tension member is slidable longitudinally of the FZU actuation lanyard.

10. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the first and second tension member lower ends are configured for securing to or adjacent to suspension lugs of the store.

11. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 10, in which the first and second tension member lower ends each comprise a loop.

12. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the drop links each comprise a flexible loop.

13. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the drop links each comprise slidably interlinked loops, chains, or chain-like links.

14. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the drop links each comprise elongate flexible members shaped to have a reduced overall form factor when the first breakable links are intact, and which elongate when the first breakable links are broken.

15. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, in which the drop links when in their reduced overall form factor are retained in an outer covering.

16. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the tension members are fabricated from natural or synthetic fibre cord or rope, chain or flexible wire or cable.

17. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 16, comprising permanent joints used to fabricate the tension members, the permanent joints comprising crimped metal sleeves.

18. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the breakable links comprise shear links.

19. Assembled or as a kit, arming apparatus for a store, the arming apparatus being connectable in use between a pair of arming units (AUs) of an ejector release unit (ERU) and a fuzing unit (FZU) of the store, the arming apparatus comprising: a first tension member having an upper end attachable to a first one of the AUs and a lower end attachable to the store; a second tension member having an upper end attachable to a second one of the AUs and a lower end attachable to the store; the first and second tension members comprising a plurality of breakable links which are arranged so that one or more first ones of the breakable links has to be broken before one or more second ones of the breakable links can be broken, when the store is to be ejected from the ERU in an armed state; and wherein the lower ends of the first and second tension members each comprise a loop.

20. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 19, in which some or all of the breakable links remain unbroken when the store is ejected from the ERU in an unarmed state.

21. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 19, in which the first and second tension members each respectively comprise one of the first breakable links; the first tension member further comprising a first flexible drop link spanning the first breakable link thereof and having a length when extended straight that is greater than the length of the spanned portion of the first tension member when its first breakable link is intact and that spanned portion is extended straight; the second tension member further comprising a second flexible drop link spanning the first breakable link thereof and having a length when extended straight that is greater than the length of the spanned portion of the second tension member when its first breakable link is intact and that spanned portion is extended straight.

22. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 21, in which the second breakable links are calibrated to break under a higher tensile force than the first breakable links, and are provided: (a) in either: (i) the first tension member above or below the first drop link, or (ii) in the first drop link, as well as: (b) in either: (i) the second tension member above or below the second drop link, or (ii) in the second drop link.

23. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 22, comprising a FZU actuation lanyard having: a first end couplable or coupled either: (i) to the first tension member at a position between its first breakable link and its upper end, or (ii) to the first flexible drop link; and a second end couplable or coupled either: (i) to the second tension member at a position between its first breakable link and its upper end, or (ii) to the second flexible drop link; a central portion of the FZU actuation lanyard being operatively couplable to the FZU.

24. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 23, in which the first end of the FZU actuation lanyard is releasably coupled to the first tension member and/or the second end of the FZU actuation lanyard is releasably coupled to the second tension member.

25. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 23, in which the second breakable links are located in the first and second tension members at a position above the FZU actuation lanyard coupling positions.

26. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 23, in which the FZU actuation lanyard is configured to slide longitudinally relative to the FZU.

27. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 23, comprising a third tension member having a lower end attachable to the FZU and comprising a loop, the third tension member having an upper end slidable longitudinally of the FZU actuation lanyard.

28. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 27 and comprising a further breakable link provided in the third tension member or in the FZU actuation lanyard.

29. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 19, in which the first and second tension member lower ends are configured for securing to or adjacent to suspension lugs of the store.

30. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 19, and further comprising (a) a FZU actuation lanyard having a first end couplable or coupled to the first tension member, and a second end couplable or coupled to the second tension member; (b) a third tension member coupled or couplable to the FZU actuation lanyard and having a lower end coupled or couplable to the FZU and comprising a loop; and (c) a further breakable link provided in either the FZU actuation lanyard or in the third tension member.

31. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 21, in which the drop links each comprise a flexible loop.

32. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 21, in which the drop links each comprise slidably interlinked loops, chains, or chain-like links.

33. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 21, in which the drop links each comprise elongate flexible members shaped to have a reduced overall form factor when the first breakable links are intact, and which elongate when the first breakable links are broken.

34. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 33, in which the drop links when in their reduced overall form factor are retained in an outer covering.

35. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 19, in which the tension members are fabricated from natural or synthetic fiber cord or rope, chain or flexible wire or cable.

36. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 35, comprising permanent joints used to fabricate the tension members, the permanent joints comprising crimped metal sleeves.

37. The arming apparatus as claimed in claim 24, in which the first tension member and the second tension member are configured to be fed through their respective loops to form nooses.

Description

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of an AU;

[0046] FIG. 2 shows by way of non-limiting example, one form of breakable link which may be used in arming apparatus embodying the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a forward shear wire and FZU actuation lanyard assembly in a first embodiment of the invention;

[0048] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a corresponding aft shear wire assembly for use with the forward shear wire and lanyard of FIG. 3;

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a shear wire forming the third tension member which may be used together with the components shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to complete the store arming apparatus concerned;

[0050] FIG. 6 shows the components of FIGS. 3-5 fully assembled and fitted between a store and forward and aft AUs of an ERU, prior to ejection or jettisoning of the store;

[0051] FIG. 6a shows a modified form of the assembly of FIG. 6;

[0052] FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. 6 but shows the configuration of the various components at one stage during ejection of the store;

[0053] FIG. 8 corresponds to FIG. 7, but shows the configuration of the various components when jettisoning the store unarmed;

[0054] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration similar to FIG. 6, of another embodiment of arming apparatus fitted between a store and forward and aft AUs of an ERU, prior to ejection or jettisoning of the store;

[0055] FIG. 9a shows a modified form of the apparatus of FIG. 9;

[0056] FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG. 9 but shows the configuration of the various components at one stage during ejection of the store; and

[0057] FIG. 11 corresponds to FIG. 10 but shows the configuration of the various components at a later stage during ejection of the store.

[0058] The AU 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a receptacle 12 open at its lower end. A crush-resistant anchoring eye 20 can be inserted into the receptacle 12, where it is removably retained by a spring-loaded ball detent 16. When it is desired to activate the AU so as to arm a store, the anchoring eye 20 is lockingly retained in the receptacle 12 by a solenoid-operated latch 14, 18. The anchoring eye 20 is crimped onto or otherwise securely fixed to an upper end of a shear wire 30. Ordinarily, the shear wire 30 is fitted so as to extend substantially in axial alignment with the receptacle 12, so that it can pull the anchoring eye 20 cleanly out of the receptacle 12 without jamming when the ERU is operated with the solenoid latch 14, 18 de-energised; e.g. when it is desired to jettison the store unarmed. The lower end of the shear wire 30 is attached to a FZU in the store (not shown). The substantially co-axial orientation of the shear wire will likewise ensure reliable operation of the FZU when the AU solenoid latch is energized to retain the anchoring eye 20, and the ERU is operated to eject the store in its armed condition. After operation of the FZU, a shear link is designed to break under a calibrated tensile force in the shear wire, as the store continues to separate from the ERU. Arming apparatus of the present invention may be used as an adaptor kit in cases such as where a single FZU needs to be connected to non-aligned forward and aft AUs, to allow reliable ejection of the store in an armed condition, as well as to allow reliable unarmed jettisoning of the store when required.

[0059] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section through a shear link 22 which may be used as a breakable link component in the arming apparatus of the present invention; although any suitable breakable link may be used. An inner part 24 is crimped onto a shear wire end 26. An outer part 28 is crimped onto an opposite shear wire end 30. The inner part 24 is received within the outer part 28, so that a transverse hole 32 through the inner part aligns with a transverse hole 34 through the outer part. A length of wire of appropriate shear strength (e.g. copper wire of an appropriate hardness and diameter, not shown) is then inserted through the aligned holes 32, 34 and its ends are bent to retain it in position. The whole assembly can then be encased in a protective heat shrinkable polymer sleeve, to conceal the wire ends and any other sharp edges. The diameter and hardness of the inserted wire can be selected so that the shear link 22 will break at a predetermined (calibrated) tensile force in the shear wire comprising the ends 26, 30.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 3, the first tension member 36 comprises a forward shear wire, to which an FZU actuation lanyard 38 is attached. An anchoring eye 201 is fixed to (e.g. crimped onto) the upper end of the first tension member 36 for attachment to a forward AU. The lower end of the first tension member 36 is formed into a loop 42 which allows the first tension member to be attached to a suspension lug of a store, substantially aligned with the axis of the receptacle of the forward AU. (The forward AU 101 and corresponding store suspension lug 46 are not shown in FIG. 3, but can be seen in FIG. 6).

[0061] As shown in FIG. 4, the second tension member 48 comprises an aft shear wire and, similarly to the first tension member 36, has its upper end provided with an anchoring eye 202 for attachment to an aft AU (102, FIG. 6). The lower end of the second tension member 48 is formed into a loop 54 which allows the second tension member 48 to be attached to a corresponding aft suspension lug (56, FIG. 6) of a store.

[0062] The first 36 and second 48 tension members each respectively comprise a first breakable link 221. The first breakable links 221 are each calibrated to break under a modest tensile force in the respective tension member, but which force is still sufficient to operate the FZU when required, and to pull the anchoring eyes 201, 202 out of the ball detents 16 and receptacles 12 of the AUs (see FIG. 1). For example, the first breakable links 221 may be calibrated to break at a tensile force of 147N (33 lbf). A first flexible drop link 58 is connected to the first tension member 36 so as to span the first breakable link 221. The length of the first flexible drop link 58 when extended or stretched out straight, is greater than the spacing between its connections to the first tension member 36 with the first breakable link 221 intact and the part of the first tension member 36 between those connections extended or stretched out straight.

[0063] A second flexible drop link 60 is connected to the second tension member 48 so as to span the first breakable link 221. The length of the second flexible drop link 60 when extended or stretched out straight, is greater than the spacing between its connections to the second tension member 48 with the first breakable link 221 intact and the part of the second tension member 48 between those connections extended or stretched out straight.

[0064] Referring again to FIG. 3, a first end of the FZU actuation lanyard 38 is coupled to the first tension member 36 at a position between its first breakable link 221 and its upper end. The other (second) end of the FZU actuation lanyard 38 is secured to form a loop 62. As shown in FIG. 4, the second tension member 48 has a double stranded portion 64, through which is looped a nappy pin sprig clip fastener 66. The fastener 66 is thus held captive on the second tension member 48 at a position between the second tension member's first breakable link 221 and its upper end.

[0065] A second breakable link 222, calibrated to break under a higher tensile force than the first breakable link 221 (for example 845 N, 190 lbf)), is provided in the first tension member 36 above the first drop link 58. Alternatively (not shown in FIG. 3), the second breakable link 222 may be provided in the first drop link 58, or in the first tension member 36 below the first drop link 58. Similarly, a further such second breakable link 222 is provided in the second tension member 48 above the second drop link 60 (FIG. 4), or (not shown in FIG. 4) in the second tension member 48 below the second drop link 60, or in the second drop link 60. When positioned in the first and second tension members 36, 48 above the FZU actuation lanyard 38 attachment point and double stranded portion 64, the second breakable links 222 allow the FZU actuation lanyard 38 and nappy pin sprig clip fastener 66 to be ejected together with the store, when the store is ejected in an armed condition; as further described below.

[0066] FIG. 5 shows a third tension member 68 whose upper end is provided with an anchoring eye 20 and whose lower end is secured to form a loop 72. The third tension member 68 is provided with a third breakable link 223. The breaking strength of the third breakable link 223 is calibrated to be less than the breaking strength of the second breakable link 222 (for example 147N (33 lbf)). The third tension member 68 may be used to secure the FZU actuation lanyard 38 to a FZU door bail 74 (FIG. 6).

[0067] The tension members 36, 48, 68 and drop links 58, 60 may be formed from any suitable material having the required flexibility and/or tensile strength. Suitable materials include, without limitation, natural or synthetic fibre cords or ropes; or metal chains, wires or cables, such as multi-stranded stainless steel cable. The tension members 36, 48, 68 and drop links 58, 60 may be fastened to themselves or to each other as required, using crimped metal sleeves 76 or any other suitable fastenings or fasteners, including, without limitation, knots, welding/brazing, and adhesives.

[0068] The components described above are assembled to fit between the forward and aft AUs 101, 102 and the store 78 as follows (see mainly FIG. 6). Before engagement of the ERU suspension hooks in the suspension lugs of the store, the lower loop 42 of the first tension member 36 is passed through the forward suspension lug 46 of the store. The remainder of the first tension member 36 and the parts attached to it such as the drop link 58 and FZU actuation lanyard 38 are then threaded through the lower loop 42 to form a noose (adjustable loop) 80 around the forward suspension lug 46.

[0069] Similarly, the lower loop 54 of the second tension member 48 is passed through the aft suspension lug 56. The remainder of the second tension member and attachments such as the drop link 60 and nappy pin fastener 66 are then threaded through the lower loop to form a noose 82 around the aft suspension lug 56. The lower loop 72 of the third tension member 68 is passed through the door bail 74 on the FZU. The remainder of the third tension member 68 is then passed through the loop 72 to form a noose 84 around the door bail 74. The loop 62 of the FZU actuation lanyard 38 is then passed through the anchoring eye 20 of the third tension member 68 and is fastened to the second tension member 48 by the nappy pin fastener 66. The store 78 is then offered up to the ERU and the ERU suspension hooks are engaged in the suspension lugs 46, 56. Finally the anchoring eye 201 of the first tension member 36 is clipped into the receptacle of the forward AU 101 and the anchoring eye 202 of the second tension member 48 is clipped into the receptacle of the aft AU 102, using the respective AU ball detents. This results in the assembled configuration shown in FIG. 6. Other orders of assembly may also be used which result in this configuration. In this configuration, the FZU actuation lanyard 38 and third tension member 68 are slack, so that no pulling force is applied to the FZU bail 74.

[0070] FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the various components at one stage during ejection of the store. The solenoid latches 14, 18 (see FIG. 1) are energized to lock the anchoring eyes 201, 202 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) in the AUs 101, 102 as the ERU (not shown) is operated to release the suspension hooks from the suspension lugs 46, 48 and push the store 78 downward away from the aircraft. This breaks the first breakable links 221 (the broken and separated parts being referenced 221a and 221b in FIG. 7). Continued downward motion of the store 78 relative to the ERU and AUs 101, 102, puts tension onto the FZU actuation lanyard 38, pulling it and the attached upper parts of the first and second tension members into a V-shape. This in turn puts tension onto the third tension member 68, and pulls open the FZU door 84 vial bail 74. The FZU actuation lanyard 38 is able to slide through the anchoring eye 20 of the third tension member 68 so that the V-shape is substantially mirror symmetrical on either side of the third tension member 68, and the tension in each arm of the V is substantially equal. The FZU door bail 74 is therefore pulled in a substantially normal direction towards the ERU, mimicking the shear wire which the present arming apparatus or adaptor kit is designed to replace. It does not matter that at this stage a substantial angle may exist between the first and second tension member parts 36a, 36b and the respective receptacle axes of the receptacles of the AUs 101, 102; because at this point it is desired to retain the tension member upper ends in their AUs and therefore any jamming is not a problem.

[0071] When the door 84 has been fully opened, its resistance to further motion increases, breaking the third breakable link 223. The FZU actuation lanyard 38 now becomes slack again. At this point the drop links 58, 60 have begun to uncurl and extend as the store 78 moves downwards away from the AUs 101, 102 and the broken first link parts 221a, 221b continue to separate from one another. Further downward movement of the store now separates the broken parts (not shown) of the third breakable link 223 and fully straightens and extends the drop link 58 and the attached upper and lower parts 36a, 36b of the first tension member, and likewise the drop link 60 and the attached upper and lower parts 48a, 48b of the second tension member are fully straightened and extended. As the first and second tension members and their drop links are still firmly latched in the AUs 101, 102 at their upper ends 36a, 48a and are firmly looped around the store suspension lugs 46, 56 at their lower ends 36b, 48b, continued downward movement of the store 78 therefore breaks the second breakable links 222. Residual parts of these links, and the portions of the first and second tension member upper parts 36a, 48a above them, therefore remain anchored in the AUs 101, 102. The remainder of the arming apparatus is ejected together with the (now armed) store 78.

[0072] If one of the solenoid operated latches 18 fails to engage as intended, the corresponding anchoring eye 201 or 202 will pull out of its AU and the corresponding first and second breakable links 221, 222 will remain unbroken. Or if one of the ball detents 16 fails to disengage the anchoring eye as intended, the eye will remain lodged in the AU and the corresponding first and second links will break. In either case, the first breakable link 221 in the retained tension member will break, but the FZU actuation lanyard 38 will pull through the eye 20 of the third tension member 68 without putting any substantial tension on it (since the other end of the FZU actuation lanyard 38 is not anchored). This allows the retained drop link 58 or 60 (as the case may be) to fully straighten and extend, and break the second breakable link 222 in the retained tension member. The store 78 is therefore jettisoned with the FZU door 84 safely closed, because no substantial tension has been applied to the third tension member 68.

[0073] FIG. 8 corresponds to FIG. 7, but shows the configuration of the various components when jettisoning the store unarmed. Neither of the solenoid latches 14, 18 in the AUs 101, 102 is energised as the ERU pushes the store 78 away from the aircraft. The anchoring eyes 201, 202 are therefore pulled out of the ball detents 16 and out of the receptacles 12 in the AUs 101, 102 (see FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 8). The anchoring eyes 201, 202 are pulled substantially straight out of the receptacles in the AUs 101, 102 with little risk of jamming, due to the alignment between the AUs 101, 102 and the corresponding suspension lugs 46, 56 to which the first and second tension members 36, 48 are attached. The first and second breakable links 221, 222 in both the first and second tension members 36, 48 remain unbroken, since the pull-out force of the anchoring eyes 201, 202 is less than the breaking tension for the first breakable links 221 (and therefore also less than the breaking tension for the second breakable links 222). The drop links 58, 62 do not uncurl and the FZU actuation lanyard 38 and the third tension member 68 remain slack. The FZU door is therefore not pulled open. The entire arming apparatus is therefore jettisoned together with the (unarmed) store 78.

[0074] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration similar to FIG. 6, showing arming apparatus fitted between a store 78 and forward 101 and aft 102 AUs of an ERU, prior to ejection or jettisoning of the store. Like reference characters are used to identify like parts. The main difference between the two Figures is that in FIG. 9, the FZU actuation lanyard 38 is attached to the drop link 58 (e.g. at a position away from its ends, as shown in FIG. 9), rather than to the first tension member 36. Similarly the nappy pin fastener 66 is attached to a double stranded portion of the drop link 60, rather than to a double stranded portion of the second tension member 48. The two arrangements of FIGS. 6 and 9 and their assembly methods otherwise may be substantially identical to each other. Again the second breakable links 222 of FIG. 9 may be provided in the drop links 58, 60, or in the parts of the first and second tension members 36, 42 below the drop links 58, 60; as alternatives to providing the breakable links 222 in the portions of the first and second tension members 36, 48 above the drop links 58, 60 as actually illustrated.

[0075] FIG. 10 generally corresponds to FIG. 7, and shows the first and second tension member upper parts 36a, 48a retained in the AUs 101, 102 by the solenoid latches 14, 18. The first breakable links 221a 221b have broken and the drop links 58, 60 have partially uncurled and straightened, so as to put the FZU actuation lanyard 38 and third tension member 68 under tension. The FZU door 84 is therefore being pulled open, to arm the store 78. Alternatively, if the solenoid operated latches 14, 18 within the AUs 101, 102 are not energised, the anchoring eyes 201, 202 (not visible in Figure are pulled cleanly straight out of the AUs 101, 102 by the first and second tension members 36, 48 attached to the store mounting lugs 46, 56. The first and second breakable links 221, 222 remain unbroken and the FZU actuation lanyard 38 and third tension member 68 remain slack. The FZU door therefore remains closed and the store 78 is jettisoned from the ERU unarmed. The same failsafe configuration is available as described above with reference to FIG. 7, in the event that one of the solenoid operated latches is not energized as the ERU pushes the store away from the aircraft, or in the event that one of the anchoring eyes 201, 202 jams in its AU during intended unarmed jettisoning of the store.

[0076] Finally, FIG. 11 corresponds to FIG. 10 but shows the third breakable link broken into two parts 223a, 223b and the drop links 58, 60 fully uncurled/extended. As the first tension member 36a, 36b and the first drop link 58 remain connected between the forward AU 101 and the forward store mounting lug 46 at this point, (and similarly the second tension member 48a, 48b and the second drop link 60 remain connected between the aft AU 102 and the aft store mounting lug 56), the second breakable links 222 break to release the arming apparatus from the AUs 101, 102.

[0077] FIGS. 6a and 9a respectively show modified forms of the arming assemblies of FIGS. 6 and 9, in which the third tension member 368, although otherwise similar to the third tension member 68 of FIGS. 6 and 9, does not contain any breakable link. Instead, a third breakable link 323 is provided in the FZU actuation lanyard 38. The third breakable link 323 may be positioned sufficiently close to either of the ends of the FZU actuation lanyard 38, and the drop links 58 may be kept sufficiently short, so that the relevant second breakable links 222 break before any broken part of the third breakable link 323 can be pulled into the anchoring eye 20 of the third tension member 368. Then there is no risk of such a broken part of the third breakable link 323 jamming in the anchoring eye 20 of the third tension member 368 and applying an improper pulling force to the FZU door bail 74. In further variants (not shown), the third tension member 368 may be omitted, and the FZU actuation lanyard fed through the FZU door bail 74 or otherwise directly attached to the FZU door 84.

[0078] Other configurations are also possible. For example, one of the first and second tension members 36, 48 and the corresponding drop link may be configured as in FIGS. 6-8 and the other tension member/drop link may be configured as shown in FIGS. 9-11. The first tension member etc. may be fastened between the aft AU 102 and the aft store mounting lug 56, and the second tension member 48 etc. may be fastened between the forward AU 101 and the forward store mounting lug 46.

[0079] The arming apparatus and its component parts may be accurately fabricated under factory conditions, to ensure correct operation with a given ERU and store combination. No measuring, cutting, or assembly requiring tools is needed in the field.