초록 ▼

External armament apparatus, including a machine gun, an associated ammunition box for supplying belted ammunition to the gun, a flare dispenser, a missile launcher or other external stores apparatus, and a forward looking infrared sensor (FLIR), is exteriorly supported on a landing gear sponson tow

External armament apparatus, including a machine gun, an associated ammunition box for supplying belted ammunition to the gun, a flare dispenser, a missile launcher or other external stores apparatus, and a forward looking infrared sensor (FLIR), is exteriorly supported on a landing gear sponson tow plate of a helicopter, adjacent a cabin area gunner's window. The external mounting of the gun and other armament apparatus frees up cabin space, permits the gunner's window to be closed with the gun in a ready position, and permits a 0.50 caliber machine gun to be used an alternative to either a 7.62 mm mini-gun or a single barrel 7.62 mm machine gun adjacent the gunner's window.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Armament apparatus for a helicopter comprising: a helicopter landing gear structure; and an infrared sensor secured directly to said landing gear structure by a mounting structure. 2. The armament apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said infrared sensor is a forward-looking infrared sensor. 3. The a

1. Armament apparatus for a helicopter comprising: a helicopter landing gear structure; and an infrared sensor secured directly to said landing gear structure by a mounting structure. 2. The armament apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said infrared sensor is a forward-looking infrared sensor. 3. The armament apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said infrared sensor is disposed forwardly of said landing gear structure. 4. The armament apparatus of claim 3 wherein: said infrared sensor is secured directly to said landing gear structure by mounting structure extending forwardly from said landing gear structure. 5. Armament apparatus for a helicopter comprising: a helicopter landing gear sponson structure having a tow plate with a front portion, a rear portion, and a central portion disposed between said front and rear portions; and a forward-looking infrared sensor secured to said front portion of said tow plate. 6. The armament apparatus of claim 5 wherein: the infrared sensor is disposed forwardly of said front portion of said tow plate. 7. The armament apparatus of claim 5 wherein: said infrared sensor has an upper end portion, and said infrared sensor is secured to said front tow plate portion by a mounting structure having a first mounting portion anchored to said front tow plate portion, an elongated support member longitudinally extending forwardly from said first mounting portion and having a forward end, and a second mounting portion secured to said forward end and to said upper end of said infrared sensor. 8. Armament apparatus for a helicopter comprising: a landing gear structure; and an infrared sensor secured to said landing gear structure, said landing gear structure being a helicopter landing gear sponson structure having a tow plate portion, and said infrared sensor being secured directly to said tow plate portion. 9. The armament apparatus of claim 8 wherein: said infrared sensor is disposed forwardly of said tow plate portion. 10. The armament apparatus of claim 8 wherein: said infrared sensor is a forward-looking infrared sensor. 11. Armament apparatus for an aircraft comprising: a helicopter landing gear sponson structure having a tow plate portion; a mounting structure having a first portion anchored to said tow plate portion, and a second portion disposed outwardly of said tow plate portion; and an infrared sensor secured to said second portion of said mounting structure. 12. The armament apparatus of claim 11 wherein: said second portion of said mounting structure is disposed forwardly of said tow plate portion. 13. The armament apparatus of claim 12 wherein: said infrared sensor is a forward looking infrared sensor.