M130 chaff dispenser

The dispenser, general purpose, aircraft: M130 (NSN 1095-01-036-6886) consists of a single system (dispenser assembly, payload module assembly, electronics module and dispenser control panel) designed to dispense chaff M-1 from US Army helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. The system, common to Army aircraft provides effective survival countermeasures against radar guided weapon systems. The dispenser system M130 has the capability of dispensing up to 30 chaff cartridges.

NOTE.......The flare dispenser function is not employed in the AH-1 helicopter.

The dispenser system functions in the following manner: When a crew member sights a missile launch or receives a radar warning, he will press a firing switch. The aircraft's power supply (28V dc) will immediately pulse ( via the dispenser control panel) the programmer section of the electronics module, and the signal the dispenser assembly. This activates the sequencer assembly, completing the circuit to the contact pin in the breech assembly. The current in this completed circuit initiates the impulse cartridge forcing the chaff out of the payload.

a. Dispenser Control Panel. The dispenser control panel (DCP) contains a manual ARM-SAFE switch which is provided to arm the dispenser system. When the ARM-SAFE switch is moved to the ARM position and the safety flag pin(s) has been removed from the system safety switch(s), the ARM lamp will light. The control panel counters indicate the number of chaff (cartridges) remaining in the payload module. The counters are manually set prior to each mission to agree with the number of chaffs loaded. The two-way MANUAL, PROGRAMMED switch controls the firing of chaff. When the switch is in PROGRAMMED position, the number of busts (series of shots) per salvo (any number of bursts) fired is automatically controlled by the preset programmer. The MANUAL position of the switch by-passes the programmer and fires one chaff cartridge each time the firing switch is activated.

b. Dispenser Assembly The dispenser assembly contains the breech assembly, flared sensor, selector switch for flare or chaff (marked C or F), reset switch, and a housing containing the sequencer assembly. The sequencer assembly receives power through the firing switches circuit and furnishes pulses to each of the 30 contacts of the breech assembly, in sequential order 1 though 30, thus firing each of the impulse cartridges.

c. Payload Module Assembly The payload module consists of the payload module and retaining plate assembly. The payload module has 30 chambers which will accept either chaff or flares. Flares or chaff are loaded though the studded end of the payload module, one per chamber, and secured in place by the retaining plate assembly. The payload module assembly is assembled to the dispenser assembly.

d. Electronics Module Assembly The EM contains a programmer and a cable assembly which includes a 28-volt supply receptacle and a safety pin flag assembly. On some aircraft installations the 28-volt supply receptacles and the safety switch have been included in the aircraft cable and are therefore remote from the EM. The programmer consists of a programming circuit which allows for the setting of chaff burst number, chaff salvo number, chaff burst interval and chaff salvo interval.

CHAFF DISPENSER, M-130.

a. The function of the M130 chaff countermeasure system is to provide an effective airborne countermeasure against enemy infrared missiles and radar controlled weapons thereby reducing an enemy's capability to damage or destroy US Army aircraft.

b. Aircrew members are required to maintain visual coverage around the aircraft when in a hostile area for IR missiles that have been launched against the aircraft. The crew member who observes a missile launch will initiate the dispensing of the countermeasure flares in accordance with prescribed tactics for the aircraft.

c. The aircraft's radar warning receiver (RWR) will provide the alert to the pilot and co-pilot when the aircraft is being tracked by a radar-guided anti-aircraft weapon system. To be effective as a radar decoy, the dispensing of chaff must be accompanied with an appropriate aircraft maneuver in accordance with prescribed tactics for the aircraft.

d. Upon receiving an alert from the aircraft radar warning system, the pilot or gunner will dispense chaff by depressing his chaff dispensing switch and initiate an evasive maneuver. The number of burst/salvo and number of salvo/program and their intervals will be set into the programmer, as indicated above, prior to take-off. If desired, the operator may override the programmed operational mode and fire chaff countermeasures manually. Manual operation is achieved by changing the position of the two-way MANUAL PROGRAMMED switch from the PROGRAMMED to MANUAL and then depressing the firing switch.

e. The M130 dispenser system should not be fired unless a missile launch is observed or radar-guided weapon system is detected with lock on. If a system malfunction is suspected, the aircraft commander may authorize attempt(s) to dispense chaff to test the system.

f. The crew member who observes the missile launch or a radar warning indication and dispenses the first flares or chaff will advise the other crew members that a missile launch has been observed or a radar warning signal has been received and that a flare or chaff has been dispensed. Other crew members will continue watching for additional missile launches.

g. The chaff dispenser will eject chaff one at a time in the manual mode or according to the setting of the programmer when set in the PROGRAM mode. The following program settings are provided :

Number of burst/salvo 1 2 3 4 5 6 8

Burst interval (sec) 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4

Number salvo/ program 1 2 4 8 C ( Continuous )

Salvo interval (sec) 1 2 3 4 5 8 R

R = Random (sec) = 3 5 2 4 3 5 2 4 3 5

The small round dot on each control knob shall be aligned with each setting number as desired.

h. Crew Responsibility

(1) Perform daily PRE-FLIGHT/RE-ARM tests.

(2) Confirm that the number of chaff cartridges in the payload module are the same as shown on the dispenser control panel counter(s)

(3) Confirm chaff flare (CF) selector switch on dispenser assembly is set to proper dispense mode.

(4) Confirm pre-planned chaff program is properly set on electronics module if system is to dispense chaff.

(5) Remove safety pin(s) and flag assembly(s) prior to boarding aircraft.

(6) After the aircraft is airborne, the aircraft commander assumes responsibility for arming the M130 system.