Abstract: An ammunition magazine, including a container configured to hold ammunition and dispense the ammunition to a weapon, and an indicator disposed in the container and configured to create a signal indicative of a predetermined amount of ammunition remains in the container. In one example embodiment, the indicator includes a sensor member configured to engage with the ammunition when more than the predetermined amount of ammunition remains in the container, and configured to not engage with the ammunition when less than the predetermined amount of ammunition remains in the container. A signal generator is coupled to the sensor member and configured to provide an electrical signal indicative of whether the sensor member is engaging the ammunition, or is not engaging the ammunition.

Abstract: A mechanical gun charger configured to charge a gun, including a cradle configured to support the gun. A lever is rotatably coupled to the cradle, wherein an outboard cable coupled between the lever and a first pulley is configured such that displacement of the lever causes the first pulley, a shaft, and a second pulley to rotate. A charging cable is coupled to the second pulley and is configured to couple to and charge the gun upon rotation of the second pulley.

Abstract: A weapon, representatively a machine gun, is mounted in a crew-served orientation on the outer end of an elongated support beam extending transversely through and secured within the cabin area of a helicopter, with the outer beam end disposed exteriorly of the helicopter. A seat structure, upon which a crew member may sit, is mounted atop a longitudinally central portion of the beam for sliding movement along the beam toward and away from the machine gun. Operatively associated with the machine gun is an ammunition box having a lid portion fixed to the bottom side of the beam end upon the top side of which the machine gun is pivotally and rotationally mounted. The body of the ammunition box is removably securable to the beam secured lid.

Abstract: An aircraft object mounting system is formed from three light weight honeycombed metal plank sections—a longitudinally central section and a pair of upturned end sections removably secured thereto. The end sections have bomb racks thereon to which various weaponry, such as machine guns, rocket launchers or missiles, may be attached. The central section is secured to the underside of a helicopter, with small lug structures on the central section extending upwardly into the aircraft cabin area and secured to bulkheads therein. The object mounting system is thus positioned essentially entirely externally to the aircraft and only minimally intrudes into the interior thereof. The mounting system may be used to support non-weaponry objects, and may be utilized with aircraft other than helicopters.