Abstract:
A platform loading system having an elevator platform mounted loader unit d a magazine mounted loader unit in each magazine served by the loader system. Each loader unit consists of one cargo tray and its associated tray transfer machinery. In each loader unit a cargo tray may occupy one of two positions, an upper position or a lower position. The load to be transferred is always carried by a tray in the upper position. Transfer of weapons between elevator platforms and magazines consists of a simultaneous exchange of a loaded and empty tray between mating loader units. The loaded tray traveling in the upper position passes over the empty tray in the lower position heading in the opposite direction. At completion of tray exchange, loaded trays may be off-loaded and the now empty tray lowered to the lower tray position by a tray jacking system as required by the next exchange operation. Conversely, the empty tray in the lower position can be raised to the upper position and on-loaded if required by the next operation.