EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif -- The H-60 Combined Test Force, Detachment three, 418 Flight Test Squadron and the HH-60G Combined Test Force Flight, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, completed combined qualification test and evaluation force development evaluation of the Gun Mount and Ammunition Handling System on the HH-60G PAVE HAWK helicopter. Testing was accomplished in support of the Global War on Terror.
The ammunition-handling system for the gun mount moves ammunition from the revolving magazine to the last station loader drum where the ammunition is subsequently deposited into the transfer tray, rammed, and fired. The ammunition-handling system holds a maximum of 80 rounds of ammunition. When around is fired, each of the other rounds advances one position. The ammunition-handling system consists of the revolving magazine, the screw feeder and hoist system, the right and left rocking arm assemblies, the loader drum assembly, and the hydraulic power unit. The entire ammunition-handling system moves with the gun mount in train. The loader drum, which is mounted within the slide, moves with the gun in elevation. The hydraulic power unit, mounted on the carriage, provides the hydraulic pressure to operate components of the ammunition-handling system. A hydraulic motor drives the revolving magazine and the screw feeder and hoist. Hydraulic cylinders drive the rocking arm and loader drum assemblies. Ammunition is manually loaded into the revolving magazine, which holds 70 rounds. The ammunition is held vertically in two concentric circles of stowage cells; each circle holds 35 rounds. The revolving magazine turns when the hydraulic motor rotates the screw feeder.