MAINSTREAM ENGINEERING CORP SBIR Phase II Award, June 2023

The Navy currently utilizes an unreliable linkless ammunition loading system (LALS) for servicing aircraft resulting in considerable downtime that hinders mission readiness. This system up- and downloads 20-mm ammunition for the M61A1 and M61A2 gun systems installed in Navy operated F/A-18 aircraft. In order to improve system reliability and availability, Mainstream proposes to develop a drop-in replacement of the aircraft interchange unit (AIU) which is a high-failure rate subassembly that accounts for a significant portion of the failures documented in conventional ordnance discrepancy reports (CODR). The newly designed AIU will prioritize simplicity and reducing moving parts to improve system reliability. During the Phase II effort Mainstream will mature the design of the AIU developed in the Phase I, manufacture and implement a prototype into an existing LALS III system, and perform testing of the device.