MIL-DTL-25959 Tie Down, Tensioners, Cargo, AircraftThis specification covers two types of aircraft cargo tie down tensioners and excludes cargo chains. The tie down tensioners are considered to be aircraft Critical Safety Items \(CSI\). Type I \(10,000 lbs\) and Type II \(25,000 lbs\) cargo chains are governed under MIL-DTL-6458 and are procured separately from the tie down tensioners in this specification.

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MIL-DTL-25959H

protrusion of a bolt through each nut shall have at least two threads showing and not more than

five threads showing from all angles the bolt can be viewed from.

3.3.5 Service life. The tie down tensioner shall be designed for a minimum service life of 30

years with 150 uses per year. One use shall consist of tensioning the device up to 300 lbs,

undergoing a 12 hour flight with the vibrational profile outlined in 4.6.4.5, and loosening the

device to remove all tension.

3.3.5.1 Damage resistance. The tie down tensioner shall be designed such that frequent dropping

onto a concrete runway shall not render the tie down tensioner inoperable when tested as

specified in 4.6.8.

3.4 Environmental conditions.

3.4.1 Operating temperature range. The tie down tensioner shall be capable of operating in

ambient temperatures ranging from -65 oF to 160 oF when tested as specified in 4.6.4.1 and

4.6.4.2.

3.4.2 Storage temperature range. The tie down tensioner shall be capable of being stored in

ambient temperatures ranging from -65 oF to 160 oF when tested as specified in 4.6.4.1 and

4.6.4.2.

3.4.3 Solar radiation. The tie down tensioner shall not be adversely affected by full-time

exposure to solar radiation, such as those conditions encountered in desert environments.

3.4.4 Salt fog. The tie down tensioner shall be capable of storage and operation in salt laden, sea

coast environments without damage or deterioration of performance when tested as specified in

4.6.4.3.

3.4.5 Sand and dust. The tie down tensioner shall be capable of storage and operation during

exposure to wind-blown sand or dust without damage or deterioration of performance when

tested as specified in 4.6.4.4.

3.4.6 Vibration. The tie down tensioner shall be capable of withstanding vibrations encountered

during use in all cargo transportation aircraft, including all modifications of the C-5, C-17, C-

130, KC-10, C-47, H-53, and all other cargo transporting aircraft and rotorcraft when tested as

specified in 4.6.4.5.

3.5 Weight and dimensions. The overall weight of the CGU-8/A shall not exceed 3.3 pounds

(lbs) and the overall weight of the CGU-7/A shall not exceed 5.8 lbs when tested as specified in

4.6.5.1. The dimensions of the tie down tensioners, including the space through which levers

and other mechanisms move, shall not exceed envelope sizes as shown in Table I when tested as

specified in 4.6.5.2.