Sponsor (military)

A sponsor is the attachment of weapons and equipment to the vehicles main chasis, (sponsor mounted), as opposed to wings, pods, nacelles, or turrets. Many fighter aircraft and tank destroyers use sponsor mounts. The advantage is that heavier weapons can be equipped when this is done directly to the chasis, and the disadvantages being increased diffculty in aiming when compared with a turret, decreased fields of fire when compared with wings (for fighters) and access and heat dissipation difficulties when compared with any external mount.

Related Topics:
Fighter aircraft - Tank destroyer

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A sponsor is also the title given to a prominent citizen chosen to christen a naval vessel.

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In recent history, all U. S. Navy sponsors have been female. In addition to the ceremonial breaking of a champagne bottle on the bow, the sponsor remains in contact with the ship's crew and is involved in special events such as homecomings. http://www.dcmilitary.com/navy/trident/8_36/national_news/

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