A skid or weapon transporter is a mobile piece of equipment with a welded frame-type construction mounted on two or four rubber-tired wheels. It is used with various adapters to support a load for movement from one area to another.

    Wheeled skids or weapons transporters are generally equipped with a brake mechanism so the skid won't move when unattended. Handles are attached to all mobile skids and weapons transporters to provide a means of moving and controlling the units. The units are not self-propelled and require either manpower or power equipment to move them. They are used for handling various weapons and miscellaneous ammunition items during the aircraft rearming process aboard aircraft carriers and at shore stations.

    You can't use skids and weapons transporters without adapters. Adapters are an interface between the skid or weapon transporter and the weapon or store to be supported. They provide a support surface and a means of securing the weapon or store to the skid or transporter. This prevents any inadvertent movement. There are many different types of adapters available for any one particular skid or weapon transporter, or an adapter may be compatible with several different skids or weapons transporters. Adapters are attached to the skids or weapons transporters by quick-release pins or other types of quick change devices.

AERO 12C BOMB SKID

    The Aero 12C bomb skid is a wheelbarrow skid. It consists of a cradle frame mounted on two rubber-tired wheels and equipped with two supporting legs. The skid has two tubular steel handles that you can quickly latch or unlatch. This makes it easier to reposition or remove the handle, using a handle release on the aft end of each handle.

    The wheels are braked by two brake shoes applied to the wheels by the support legs. Apply the brakes by lowering the skid so the supporting legs come in contact with the deck or runway. The brakes are released when the skid is raised high enough for the supporting legs to clear the deck or runway.

    The skid is equipped with adjustable chocks on the bed of the frame. These chocks let you properly position the load on the skid. Each side of the skid is equipped with two hold-down brackets. One set of brackets accommodates the long or short handles. The other set of brackets is used for attaching tie-down straps.

    The Aero 12C bomb skid is used to transport weapons having a diameter between 4 and 18 inches. With the exception of Mk 81 bombs, weapons are transported singly or in pairs. The skid has a safe working load of 1,250 pounds.

AERO 9B/C BOMB SKID ADAPTER

    The Aero 9B/C bomb skid adapter consists of an aluminum box-like frame with collapsible walls. It is constructed with stiffeners at the sides and bottom. The adapter is secured to the skid by two spring-loaded latches. Hand holes are provided in the sides of the adapter for manual handling.

    The Aero 9B/C bomb skid adapter is used with the Aero 12C bomb skid to handle and transport miscellaneous ammunition items. The adapter has a safe working load of 1,000 pounds.

AERO 39B BOMB SKID ADAPTER

    The Aero 39B bomb skid adapter consists of seven hexagonal aluminum tubes welded together. It is flat on one side and contoured around the hexagonal tubes on the other three sides. The assembly has three handles mounted on it for lifting and a hinged door at one end for loading.

    The Aero 39B bomb skid adapter is used with the Aero 12C bomb skid to transport and store nitrogen filled bottles used as a coolant on the LAU-7A guided missile launcher. The adapter has a safe working load of seven nitrogen bottles.

AERO 64B SOFT BELT ADAPTER

    The Aero 64A soft-belt adapter consists of a flexible neoprene-covered woven-wire sling. The adapter has slots at the ends for attaching tie-down straps. The adapter is also equipped with brackets for attaching it to the skid.

    Two soft-belt Aero 64A adapters support a soft-skin store up to 30 inches in diameter. Each adapter has a safe working load of 2,500 pounds. The Aero 64A is designed for use with Aero 58A skid adapters, and is used with various skids, transporters, and trailers.

AERO 21C WEAPON SKID

    The Aero 21C weapon skid is a welded tubular frame equipped with a box section of drilled steel bars, which provide the mounting holes for attaching various adapters. It has two axles and four rubber wheels. The two front wheels are equipped with drum brakes. The brakes are actuated by the brake lever located on the draw bar. The brakes are applied automatically when the spring-loaded brake lever is in the retracted position. To release the brakes, pull the brake lever upward toward the T on the draw bar. The brake shoes are actuated through the mechanical linkage located inside the drawbar. The brake lever is continually held in the up position so the skid can move. Be careful when you release the brake lever; it is spring loaded and can cause the lever to snap downward. This may result in damage to the mechanical linkage system. The drawbar is attached to the skid by a quick release pin. This pin also connects the brake linkage between the skid and the brake lever on the draw bar.

    Two drawbars are available for use with the Aero 21C weapon skid. Use the short drawbar to transport short weapons or when working in an area where a long handle cannot be used. Use the long drawbar to transport long weapons such as missiles, flare dispensers, or rocket launchers. The skid has a safe working load of 5,000 pounds. It is used with various adapters to transport or load weapons, stores, and equipment.

MHK128/M32K-5(V) MUNITIONS TRANSPORTER

    The MHK-128/M32K-5(V) munitions transporter consists of a frame assembly with 53 pairs of mounting holes, four 14-inch wheels with solid tires, and a retractable or non-retractable drawbar. It has a mechanically actuated deadman and drum brakes on the two front wheels. Release the brake using the hand lever on the drawbar handle. You steer the transporter by horizontally moving the drawbar.

    The MHK-128/M32K-5(V) munitions transporter is used with the ADK-362/M32K-5(V) multi-weapons adapter to transport a pre configured multi-weapon or single-weapon load from the stowage area to the aircraft. The transporter has a low frame structure. It can be positioned under low wing stations of an aircraft. The MHK-128/M32K-5(V) munitions transporter has a safe working load of 5,000 pounds. It is used with various adapters.

AERO 58A SKID ADAPTER

    The Aero 58A skid adapter has a front and rear section. These sections are similar in design. The primary difference is base. The front section has a 10-inch base and the rear section has a 15-inch base. These front and rear sections fit on the rails of the skid. Each adapter section has two removable rubber rollers supporting the weapon. These rollers are adjustable from one to six positions to accommodate weapons of different diameters. Nylon straps hold the weapons in place.

    One set of Aero 58A skid adapters has a safe working load of 5,000 pounds. It holds a single weapon up to 30.5 inches in diameter. This adapter can also be used with the MHU-125/E platform skid, MHU-126/M munitions trailer, and the MHK-128/M32K-5 munitions transporter.

ADU-483/E SKID ADAPTER ASSEMBLY

    The ADU-483/E skid adapter assembly consists of one steel upper-frame section with two removable rubber rollers and a nylon tie-down strap with buckle. A quick-release pin is used to attach and secure the two adapter assemblies together at the top. This forms a complete load-bearing assembly that supports two cylindrical weapons side by side. The position of the outboard roller is fixed. The inboard roller can be positioned in either of two positions to hold weapons of different diameters.

    The ADU-483/E skid adapter assembly is used in pairs with the Aero 58A skid adapters. When mounted on the top of two Aero 58A skid adapters (front and rear) and secured with quick release pins, the ADU-483/E skid adapter assembly supports two weapons from 9 to 16 inches in diameter. Two pairs of the ADU-483/E skid adapters have a safe working load of 4,000 pounds. When the skid adapter assemblies are installed, the Aero 58A skid adapter is limited to weapons with a maximum diameter of 16 inches.

AERO 57A SKID ADAPTER

    The AERO 57A skid adapter consists of four upper sections. Each section is similar, but only two of the four sections are equipped with detent pins for securing the secitons together at the center. The upper sections have one roller each for weapon support. There are nylon straps porvided for holding the weapon in place. The adapters are for holding the weapon in place. The adapters are mounted in pairs on the Aero 58A skid adapters, and they are attached with detent pins.

    When the Aero 57A skid adapters are installed on the Aero 58A skid adapters, two 20-inch diameter weapons may be carried. The upper rollers adjust to two different positions to hold weapons with diameters ranging from 12 to 20 inches. The Aero 58A adapters hold weapons with diameters from 8 to 20 inches. One set of Aero 57A skid adapters has a safe working load of 4,000 pounds.

AERO 91A BRACKET ADAPTER

    The Aero 91A bracket adapter consists of an arm weldment, two sleeve weldments, connecting pins, hooks, T bolts, and clamp weldments. You can adjust the bracket to hold loads varying between 28 and 40 inches in width.

    The Aero 91A bracket adapter is attached to the Aero 58A skid adapters to convert the Aero 21C weapons skid into a flatbed vehicle capable of handling weapon pallets, cradles, and containers. Two bracket adapters are required for each skid. A set of two Aero 91A bracket adapters have a safe working load of 4,000 pounds.

AERO 71A SKID ADAPTER

    The Aero 71A skid adapter consists of a welded angle frame, sheet aluminum deck, and steel tube stakes. The adapter is secured to a weapon skid by quick-release pins. An extruded aluminum track around the edges of the flatbed allows the attachment of the steel tube stakes.

    When using the Aero 71A, you must use two Aero 58A skid adapters in order to form a flatbed conveyance for transportation of the weapon component containers and a variety of other materials. The Aero 71A can be used with various skids, transporters, and trailers. The adapter has a safe working load of 4,000 pounds.

AERO 83A TRANSPORT ADAPTER

    The Aero 83A transport adapter consists of a tubular aluminum frame with a system of movable suspension assemblies.  The adapter is equipped with four rack-attachment hooks equipped with four rack-attachment hooks adjusted to accept 14- or 30-inch suspension lugs.  The adapter is equipped with two tie-down straps to secure the load against the rubber bumpers.

    The Aero 83A transport adapter is used with the Aero 58A skid adapter on the Aero 21C weapons skid for transporting empty multiple ejector racks (MERs) and triple ejector racks (TERs).  One adapter can handle two MERs or two TERs.  The adapters can be stacked two high so four racks can be transported.  Stack the adapters by inserting the support pins of the upper adapter into the stacking sockets of the lower adapter.   Then mount the adapter on the skid by inserting the Aero 83A transport adapter support pins into the front and rear sockets of the Aero 58A.  The Aero 83A has a safe working load of 5,000 pounds.

MXU-661/E SKID PLATFORM ADAPTER ASSEMBLY

    The MXU-61/E skid platform adapter assembly consists of an aluminum platform weldment, two side brackets with straps and buckles, and four stud assemblies.   Two skid platform adapter assemblies are fastened to the side frames of the Aero 71A skid adapter.  One MXU-661/E skid platform adapter assembly is located at each end of the Aero 71A skid adapter and attached by means of a platform stud assembly.

    The MXU-661/E adapter is used on the Aero 71A.  It is mounted on the front and rear parts of the Aero 58A skid adapter.  This forms a flatbed on the Aero 21C weapon skid capable of holding and transporting up to 32 sonobuoys in containers.

ADU-475/E GUIDED MISSILE ADAPTER

    The ADU-475/E guided missile adapter consists of a steel frame of rectangular tubing and eight rubber-padded support saddles with tie-down straps.  The frame has fore and aft end members separated by a tow piece adjustable longitudinal member.  Once the desired length is adjusted, insert a quick-release pin into the appropriate guide hole to secure the longitudinal member.  The saddles are sufficiently rigid to provide fore and aft damping.  They also afford some degree of shock mitigation.  The saddles fold inward to a stowed position.

    The ADU-475/E guided missile adapter is used with various skids, transporters, and trailers for transporting as many as four Sidewinder AIM-9 series guided missiles.

ADU-353-1 SKID ADAPTER

    The ADU-353-1 skid adapter is a welded steel beam with two forklift pockets on each side, two adapter bars, and a clevis assembly welded to its underside.   A forward and aft missile launch-shoe adapter is mounted on top of the skid adapter at each end.  The launch-shoe adapters are fastened by quick-release pins, fastened with lanyards to each of the forklift sleeves, are used to secure the adapter to the Aero 21C weapons skid.

    The ADU-353-1 adapter is used to transport and handle the Standard Arm missile aboard aircraft carriers (CVs).  When installed on the Aero 21C weapon skid, the adapter supports the missile on the underside launching shoes located on the launch-shoe adapters.   However, the adapter can be used without the skid.  In this case, you must turn the ADU-353-1 adapter over and engage the launch-shoe adapters with the missile's topside launching shoes.  The adapter can be used as a lifting beam by using a forklift truck or hoisting gear coupled to the clevis assembly to do the lifting.   The ADU-353-1 adapter has a safe working load of 1,500 pounds.