M2/M3 BRADLEY FIGHTING VEHICLE: TURRET - OD1609 LESSON 1/TASK 1
3.
Turret Technical Principles of Operation
a.
Hatches.
Two torsion bar-assisted hatch covers serve the commander and the
gunner.
Both hatch covers can be latched in the OPEN or CLOSED positions.
The
commander's hatch cover can also be latched in the POP-UP position.
From this
position, the commander can see 360ƒ.
Both hatch covers have inside locks which
prevent entry from the outside.
The commander's hatch cover has an emergency cable release in the squad area. In
the event that the commander and gunner are injured, the hatch cover can be popped
by pulling the cable release.
This permits entry to the turret from the outside
when both hatch covers are locked inside.
b.
Turret Drive System.
The turret drive system consists of the azimuth, gun
elevation, and TOW elevation drives.
It also incorporates the TOW launcher
mechanism, electronic control assembly, gunner's and commander's handstations, gun
gyro, and hull/turret gyro.
An electric motor drives a gearbox which connects with the azimuth drive, TOW and
rotor elevation, or TOW launcher lift mechanism. Three gyro assemblies signal the
vehicle rate of movement to the electronic control assembly. Turret drives can be
activated from handstations.
To prevent accidental control action, palm switches
on the hand controls must be pressed while the handstation is moved.
All drives
can be manually operated by the rotation of the handwheels at the gunner's station.
c.
Turret Travel Lock.
A turret travel lock is located above the turret
entrance.
The travel lock's linkage and gear mechanism can lock the turret in a
stationary position. It can also prevent turret rotation when the azimuth drive is
in action.
d.
Turret Shield. A metal shield surrounds the turret basket. The shield keeps
the turret basket swing area free of obstructions. It also gives the crew members
safe access from the rear of the vehicle to the driver's station.
It also holds
stowage items. The shield has a sliding door facing rear. Personnel can open the
door from inside or outside the turret. The door should be closed when the turret
is moving under power.
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