초록 ▼

A system for launching precision guided munitions (PGMs), artillery rockets/missiles, and cruise missiles from an aircraft includes a mobile unit having a storage compartment provided with a rack assembly arranged to define multiple tiers for storing munition ejection containers (MECs) therein. An e

A system for launching precision guided munitions (PGMs), artillery rockets/missiles, and cruise missiles from an aircraft includes a mobile unit having a storage compartment provided with a rack assembly arranged to define multiple tiers for storing munition ejection containers (MECs) therein. An elevator apparatus raises and lowers a tray between the tiers in order to load and remove the MECs from predetermined storage positions on the multiple tier rack assembly. Each MEC is structured to encapsulate one or more PGMs, artillery rockets/missiles, or cruise missiles and includes forward and rear end plates attached to longitudinal side panels. Pre-formed packing inserts protectively surround and stabilize the missile(s) contained in the MEC. An ejection ramp extends from the aft end of the mobile unit for individually directing the MECs through a cargo door of the aircraft for ejection therefrom. Once ejected, the MEC end plate unlocks, which causes the end plates, side panels, and packing inserts to be stripped from the encapsulated munition(s) by the wind blast, thereby enabling the PGMs, rockets, or missiles to assume an aerodynamic flight attitude while following a pre-programmed flight path to a designated target.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for launching munitions from an aircraft comprising:at least one munition container for encapsulating one or more of the munitions, said munition container comprising: a surrounding wall structure including side walls and opposite end walls; packing means sized and configured for receipt

1. A system for launching munitions from an aircraft comprising:at least one munition container for encapsulating one or more of the munitions, said munition container comprising: a surrounding wall structure including side walls and opposite end walls; packing means sized and configured for receipt within said surrounding wall structure for protectively surrounding and stabilizing the one or more munitions contained within said munition container; and securing means for holding said wall structure and said packing means in an assembled package in surrounding, encapsulating relation to said one or more missiles contained therein; rack means positionable within the aircraft for holding said at least one munition container in a storage position therein; launch means for selectively ejecting said at least one munition container from the aircraft; container movement means for selectively moving said at least one munition container within said rack means to different storage positions and to said launch means, said container movement means including: vertical movement means for raising and lowering said at least one munition container within said rack means; longitudinal movement means for selectively moving said at least one munition container longitudinally within said rack means; and lateral movement means for selectively moving said at least one munition container laterally within said rack means; means for releasing said securing means to cause said munition container, including said wall structure and said packing means, to be stripped from said one or more munitions encapsulated therein, after ejection of said munition container from the aircraft, thereby enabling the one or more munitions to assume an aerodynamic flight path.