Jettison of External Load

External Load Jettison (Retaining Special Store)

All external loads, except the special weapon, can be jettisoned electrically by use of the external load emergency jettison button. If electrical power is not available or the external load emergency jettison handle is used, only low-blow stores and 275/335-gallon drop tanks can be jettisoned. External loads (non-nuclear weapons) are jettisoned in a safe condition.

  1. External load emergency jettison button — Press.
  2. External load emergency jettison handle — Pull. Pulling this handle jettisons only low-blow stores and 275/335-gallon drop tanks.
  3. Station selector switches* — JETT.
  4. Armament selector switch — JETTISON ALL (PYLON JETT*) — Press bomb button.
  5. External load auxiliary release buttons — Press one at a time at intervals of one second or more.

Caution

Do not press more than one auxiliary release button at a time. The combined recoil of ejector cartridges for stores that require the full force of the ejector cartridges produces stresses that can damage the wing structure. This does not include stores loaded “low-blow”, since they do not require the full force of the ejector cartridge for release.

Note

When using the auxiliary release buttons, external loads (conventional weapons) are released armed or safe (depending on the position of the bomb arming switch) and are force ejected, hi or low-blow for clean separation. 275/335-gallon drop tanks are gravity released. The pylons are not released by the auxiliary release buttons.

External Load Jettison (Releasing Special Store)

All external loads, including the special store, can be jettisoned electrically by use of the special store jettison and the external load jettison systems. If electrical power is not available, the special store and external loads requiring forced ejection cannot be jettisoned.

External loads (conventional weapons) are jettisoned in a safe condition, but the arming of the special store is determined by the special store control panel.

  1. Special store unlock handle — Unlock. Rotate the special store unlock handle approximately 30 degrees clockwise to break the safety wire, and pull handle aft to the full stop position to ensure that the special store unlock system is unlocked. Then rotate the handle counterclockwise to lock the handle in the extended position.
  2. Special store emergency jettison button — Lift guard and press.
  3. External load emergency jettison button - Press.
  4. External load emergency jettison handle — Pull. Pulling this handle jettisons only low-blow stores and 275/335-gallon drop tanks.
  5. Station selector switches* — JETT.
  6. Armament selector switch - JETTISON ALL (PYLON JETT*) — Press bomb button.
  7. External load auxiliary release buttons — Press one at a time at intervals of one second or more.

Caution

Do not press more than one auxiliary release button at a time. The combined recoil of ejector cartridges for stores that require the full force of the ejector cartridges produces stresses that can damage the wing structure. This does not include stores loaded “low-blow”, since they do not require the full force of the ejector cartridge for release.

External Load Jettison (No Special Store)

Certain conventional stores or pylons require actuation of the special store unlock handle. However, in extreme emergencies which require jettisoning of all external loads, there would not be time to analyze if the special store unlock handle need be pulled. Therefore, in order to standardize the procedure, the special store unlock handle must be UNLOCKED (if a special store is not carried) before use of the external load emergency jettison button. If electrical power is not available or the external load emergency jettison handle is used, only loads not requiring forced ejection can be jettisoned. External loads (conventional weapons) are jettisoned safe.

  1. Special store unlock handle - Unlock. Rotate the special store handle approximately 30 degrees clockwise to break safety wire, and pull handle aft to the full stop position to ensure that the special store unlock system is unlocked. Then rotate the handle counterclockwise to lock the handle in the extended position.
  2. External load emergency jettison button — Press.
  3. External load emergency jettison handle — Pull. Pulling this handle jettisons only low-blow stores and 275/335-gallon drop tanks.
  4. Station selector switches* — JETT.
  5. Armament selector switch — JETTISON ALL (PYLON JETT*) — Press bomb button.
  6. External load auxiliary release buttons — Press one at a time at intervals of one second or more.

Caution

Do not press more than one auxiliary release button at a time. The combined recoil of ejector cartridges for stores that require the full force of the ejector cartridges produces stresses that can damage the wing structure. This does not include stores loaded “low-blow”, since they do not require the full force of the ejector cartridge for release.

Jettison of External Load With Landing Gear Extended

Results of a computerized study revealed the following conditions are encountered when external stores are jettisoned with the landing gear extended. The study did not consider yaw or pitching which could be introduced by turbulence, or erratic aircraft operation.

  1. Outboard Station — All stores and pylons can be jettisoned without hitting the gear.
  2. Intermediate Station — Stores loaded “LOW — BLOW,” unfinned stores and pylons can be jettisoned without hitting the gear. Stores loaded “HIGH — BLOW” may graze the gear.
  3. Inboard Station Without TER — Stores loaded “HIGH — BLOW,” finned stores and pylons can be jettisoned without hitting the gear. Stores loaded “LOW — BLOW” and unfinned stores, full or empty, will hit the gear.
  4. Inboard Station With TER — Jettisoning the outboard shoulder store from a TER or a TER with stores on the inboard and centerline stations will hit the gear. All other TER configurations will jettison without hitting the gear.