TM 55-607/NAVSEA OP 3221 Rev 2
Figure 9-38. 2,000-pound-bomb pattletized unit load.
bombs equipped with flat plastic nose cones is
(2) General stowage requirements. The 500-
acceptable without a requirement for nose boarding,
pound bomb unit load can be stowed with the
provided nose-to-nose on center contact is maintained
longitudinal axis oriented either fore and aft or
or the bombs are reasonably aligned butt-to-butt.
athwartships, whichever is more conducive to efficient
However, if proper contact or alignment cannot be
compartment utilization. Bomb loads are normally
maintained and a void area exists at the nose or butt of
stowed fore and aft when block stowage techniques are
the bomb, or, if bomb noses are offset, nose boards
used. They are oriented athwartships when sweatboard-
should be used. Nose-to-butt stowage of 500-pound-
to-sweatboard loading principles are applied. However,
bomb unit loads without nose boarding is permissible
the base end of the unit load at the end of a tier or row
only when all nose cones of the bomb unit load can be
should always face the hull, where applicable, to provide
aligned on center with the butt plates of the bombs in
a suitable surface for dunnaging purposes. Unit loads of
the adjacent unit load, as shown in figure 9-39. This
bombs equipped with the obsolescent pointed nose
requirement is introduced to minimize the possibility of
plugs should be separated by means of nose boards.
damage to the plastic nose cone by the set screws on
The majority of 500-pound bombs currently being
the butt end of the adjoining bomb. Deviation from
received for ocean shipment are equipped with flat
precise center-to-center alignment will necessitate the
plastic nose cones and plastic butt plates. These
use of board barriers between loads. Appropriate care
modifications are a significant improvement over the
should be taken during stowage to ensure that bombs
pointed nose plugs described previously. In addition to
are not brought into contact forcibly, particularly during
providing a more suitable pallet configuration for
loading operations. Missing or damaged protective nose
stowage, the flat plastic nose cone reduces the
cones should be replaced prior to loading the pallet.
probability of damage from accidental contact between
unit loads. Nose-to-nose or butt-to-butt stowage of
9-48
