MK122

Background

The MK 122 is predominantly deployed with the F/A 18 tactical fighter-bomber aircraft as an arming safety switch to insure activation of the bomb’s fuze system does not occur until the bomb is deployed.  The Mk 122 Mod 0 arming safety switch (see figure) provides an open circuit and a radiation hazard (RADHAZ) shield to prevent electromagnetic radiation from entering the fuze circuits. When actuated and the lanyard pulled free, the switch connects the bomb fuze control circuits in the aircraft to the electric fuze circuits in the bomb. While the weapon is loaded, the coaxial cable of the switch is plugged into the receptacle of the aircraft’s electrical arming unit. When the bomb is suspended from the rack, the lanyard is attached to a fixture on the rack or pylon. Upon bomb release, the lanyard pulls the lanyard pin and closes the fuze circuit. The lanyard is long enough so the weapon separates from the bomb rack suspension hooks before the lanyard pin is pulled from the switch, ensuring that the fuze does not receive charging voltages in case of weapon release failure. The coaxial cable is longer than the lanyard, which permits sufficient time for the charging voltage to pass from the electrical arming unit on the aircraft to the fuze electric circuits on the bomb before the cable is pulled free or breaks from the arming unit receptacle.

Ordnance Technology Service, Inc. and the MK 122 

In 2007, Ordnance Technology Service, Inc. (OTS) was asked to develop the MK 122 Mod 0 for an allied Navy.  Due to the inability to locate a qualified source of manufacture still in business, the customer contracted with OTS to become a new manufacturer of the MK 122 Mod 0.  Over 5,700 units later, OTS has become the sole source manufacturer of this product in the United States.

Please consider OTS as a proven source for MK 122 Mod 0 for your next requisition.  Further, OTS welcomes the opportunity to work with your individualized needs on the design and development of the next generation MK 122 (Mod 1 or any further hybrid deemed appropriate).