1. The aircraft MTCH has responsibility for integrating an air-launched stores onto a Type (DASR Subpart D). In support of the MTCH, integration-related design activity is usually performed by MDOs with relevant DASR 21 organisational approvals, using a documented aircraft stores compatibility (ASC) process.
New designs
2. The integration of a new air-launched store containing explosives onto a type is a type design change (DASR Subpart D). The change should be classified as major as described at Appendix A to GM to DASR 21.A.91. The air-launched store is considered ‘specific equipment’ as defined in GM to DASR 21.A.30311.
3. In order for the change to be approved, the applicant must show compliance for all Type-Certification Basis (TCB) elements relevant to the integration, including those pertaining to structural loads and flight dynamics. Compliance is primarily demonstrated through the ASC process. Within that process, the applicant is responsible for ensuring the suitability of data used in demonstrating TCB compliance, which may include data sourced from Defence explosive specialists in various organisations. The change approval process is depicted at Figure 1.
Figure 1: Integration of Air Launched Stores
4. The applicant must demonstrate that the air-launched store containing explosives is suitable for the aviation roles and environments in which it will be used (DASR 21.A.103.a.2.iii). Therefore, in integrating the store onto the type the applicant must ensure that the GWEO organisations providing the store understand the aviation roles and environments in which the store will be used. Such understanding may be achieved through preparation of a Manufacture to Target or Disposal Sequence (MTDS) and environmental questionnaire. Collectively these documents describe the environments the store will be exposed to over its lifecycle including while fitted to the aircraft.
Approval of changes to air-launched stores containing explosives
5. Most changes to the design of integrated air-launched stores containing explosives constitute a change to the type design and require a design change approval under DASR 21. As for a new store, compliance for a changed store is primarily demonstrated through the ASC process and assessment against the relevant ASC standard applied to that type.
6. The three categories of changes to a store’s design, and how each should be processed, are as follows:
Store changes may result in a part number change as well as changes to the store’s exterior form, structural strength, mass and balance. Such changes affect the store’s installation, integration and interface with the aircraft, so may require further demonstrations of compliance in order to approve the integration of the changed store onto the aircraft type. Defence centres of expertise, such as Air Warfare Engineering Squadron, should be consulted, if necessary, to determine if further demonstrations of compliance are required.
Store changes may generate a part number change to the store but GWEO advises no change to the store’s exterior form, structural strength, mass and balance. These design changes can be issued a design approval without further demonstrations of compliance.
Store changes that neither generate a part number change nor change the store’s exterior form, structural strength, mass and balance, do not require a design change approval.
7. The process for integrating new/changed stores that requires a design approval is also depicted at Figure 1.
DASR organisation approvals required for aircraft stores containing explosives
8. DGEO assures the design (but not the integration) of air-launched stores containing explosives. Therefore, organisations performing design activity on these stores are not required to hold DASR approvals.
9. MTCHs responsible for integrating air-launched stores containing explosives onto a Type are required to demonstrate to DASA, through their Type Continued Airworthiness Exposition (TCAE), how they fulfil the requirements to integrate new stores to their products, including accounting for explosive-related services provided by external organisations.
10. MDOs performing integration design activities in support of an MTCH are required to demonstrate to DASA, through their Handbook (Design Organisation Exposition), how they fulfil the regulatory requirements relevant to these design activities, including accounting for explosive-related services provided by external organisations.