Aircraft Armament Systems

What does the Aircraft Armament Systems career field do?

Loads and unloads nuclear and nonnuclear munitions, explosives, and propellant devices on aircraft. Manages, controls, maintains, and installs aircraft bomb, rocket, and missile release, launch, suspension, and monitor systems; guns and gun mounts; and related munitions handling, loading, and test equipment. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 164600.

Duties and responsibilities

• Loads, unloads, and positions munitions on aircraft. Loads, positions, performs safing operations, and unloads munitions. Uses handling, loading, and checkout procedures and equipment. Tests suspension, launch, and release systems for retentive locking, and manual or electrical release. Analyzes malfunctions. Performs functional checks of launch and suspension systems. Prepares munitions and inspects post loading weapons. Operates handling and loading equipment, and mates munitions with aircraft release, launch, and suspension systems. Loads and services aircraft gun systems. Tests electrical and electronic circuitry for continuity, voltage, and proper operation. Tests for unwanted electrical signal or power before connecting electrically actuated explosives and propellants. Installs ground safety devices on munition and gun system components to prevent inadvertent detonation, launching, or firing. Inserts and removes impulse cartridges associated with fuel tanks and pylons. Adjusts and installs fuses, boosters, and delay elements in conventional munitions.
• Inspects, repairs, and maintains aircraft release, launch, suspension, and monitor systems; aircraft guns; and related equipment. Operates, inspects, and performs operator maintenance on related munitions handling, loading, and test equipment. Examines for visual defects and proper installation of systems components such as munitions ejector racks, loading and suspension devices, shackles, rocket pods, pylons, aircraft ammunition, boosters, and feed chutes. Boresights and performs after-firing inspection of aircraft guns. Examines aircraft guns for defects. Analyzes malfunctions of munitions launch, release, suspension, and monitor systems, and associated handling and loading equipment. Disassembles, repairs, or replaces mechanical, electrical, electronic, and pneudraulic mechanisms of launch and release systems, and aircraft gun systems. Removes, disassembles, and inspects parts and subassemblies for damage, rust, corrosion, or acceptable clearances and tolerances. Makes adjustments and applies lubricants and preservatives. Performs serviceability tests on aircraft guns, gun systems, and munitions associated suspension equipment.
• Performs armament systems maintenance functions. Modifies munitions launch, release, suspension, and monitor systems to improve efficiency. Determines probable effect of modifications on future maintenance and operational problems.
• Plans, organizes, and directs aircraft armament systems maintenance activities. Establishes and evaluates performance and training standards, maintenance controls, and procedures. Checks methods and techniques used to load and unload munitions on aircraft, to repair and maintain aircraft release and gun systems, and to maintain, repair, and modify associated equipment. Ensures compliance with policies, directives, and safety procedures. Analyzes productivity and work quality. Evaluates operational efficiency of aircraft guns and munitions systems and recommends modification.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: electricity; principles of physics, mechanics, electronics, and ballistics applying to munitions launch, release, suspension, fusing, and arming systems, and aircraft gun systems; use of precision measuring tools and equipment; interpreting schematics and wiring diagrams; concepts and application of maintenance directives; nuclear and nonnuclear munitions loading and safety procedures; and proper handling, use, and disposal of hazardous waste and materials.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school or General Education Development equivalency is mandatory. Also, completion of courses in mechanics or basic electronics is desirable.

Training. The following training is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• AFSC 2W131X. Completion of a suffix specific basic aircraft armament systems course.
• AFSC 2W191. Completion of the Advanced Aircraft Armament Systems course J3AZR2W191 0A1A, PDS Code 08E (effective 31 March 2013). NOTE: Mandatory for Air Reserve Component (ARC).

Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• 2W151. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2W131C/E/F/J/K/L/N/Q or Z. Also, experience loading and unloading munitions, or maintaining, repairing, and modifying munitions launch, release, suspension, or aircraft gun systems.
• 2W171. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2W151. Also, experience performing or supervising functions such as loading and unloading munitions, or maintaining, repairing, and modifying munitions launch, release, suspension, or aircraft gun systems.
• 2W191. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2W171. Also, experience managing and controlling functions such as loading and unloading munitions, or maintaining, repairing, and modifying munitions launch, release, suspension, or aircraft gun systems.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• See attachment 4 for additional entry requirements.
• For entry, award, and retention of these AFSCs:
• Must not have chronic mental health conditions.
• Normal depth perception as defined in AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.
• Normal color vision as defined in AFI 48-123.
• No fear working around nuclear weapons or components, nor have an identifiable negative opinion of the role of nuclear weapons within our nation’s strategic deterrent mission.
• Retraining into the 2W1XX career field within the Air Force is restricted to the grades of E-7 and below with less than 15 years of total federal military service (Satisfactory service for ARC).
• Must maintain eligibility to deploy and mobilize worldwide. Of the three assignment limitation codes, C-1, C-2, and C-3, those coded C-1, or C-2 with approved waivers for PCS/Deployment are acceptable provided they can perform the core tasks the core tasks of AFSC 2W1X1.
• For award and retention of these AFSCs, must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.
• Specialty requires routine access to Tier 3 (T3) information, systems, or similar classified environments. For award and retention of AFSCs 2W1XX, completion of a current T3 Investigation required IAW DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405, Air Force Personnel Security Program, is mandatory. Additionally, certain positions within combat-coded units (e.g. Wing Weapons Manager, Armament Flight Chief, Weapons Section Chief) and Headquarters Functional Staff require routine access to Tier 5 (T5) Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) material. For these positions, completion of a current T5 Investigation in accordance with DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405 is required. NOTE: Award of the entry level without a completed T3 Investigation is authorized provided an interim Secret security clearance has been granted according to DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $37,560–$121,220 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Administrative Services Managers: $98,890
• Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians: $68,570
• Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors: $53,610
• Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: $66,440
• Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers: $53,160
• Aviation Inspectors: $78,400
• Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary: $55,620
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians: $67,550
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment: $62,010
• Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians: $59,800
• Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers: $71,100
• Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters: $48,510
• Facilities Managers: $98,890
• First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand: $54,870
• First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators: $54,870
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers: $70,240
• First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: $62,850
• General and Operations Managers: $103,650
• Hazardous Materials Removal Workers: $45,270
• Human Resources Managers: $121,220
• Industrial Production Managers: $108,790
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators: $37,560
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: $40,850
• Maintenance Workers, Machinery: $50,100
• Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators: $49,770
• Security Management Specialists: $77,420
• Security Managers: $98,890
• Training and Development Managers: $115,640
• Training and Development Specialists: $62,700
• Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers: $96,390