System and method for improved air-launch of a launch vehicle from a towed aircraft

A method of employing a launch system for orbital or suborbital air-launch of a payload, the method comprising the steps of:

• releasably coupling a launch vehicle with a towed aircraft via an articulatable carriage to form an air-launch assembly, the articulatable carriage configured for selectively shifting the launch vehicle between a stowed position adjacent to the towed aircraft and a deployed position spaced from the towed aircraft, the launch vehicle having a launch vehicle central axis and the towed aircraft having a towed aircraft central axis;
• configuring the air-launch assembly in the stowed position with the launch vehicle adjacent to the towed aircraft;
• towing the air-launch assembly via a tow aircraft and interconnected tow cable to a first altitude;
• releasing the air-launch assembly from tow at or above the first altitude;
• activating a towed aircraft propulsion system and initiating a pull-up and climb maneuver of the towed aircraft to a second altitude;
• after the steps of releasing the air-launch assembly from tow at or above the first altitude and activating the towed aircraft propulsion system and initiating the pull-up and climb maneuver of the towed aircraft to the second altitude, articulating the articulatable carriage to shift the air-launch assembly to the deployed position with the launch vehicle spaced from the towed aircraft and with the launch vehicle central axis at an inclined angle relative to the towed aircraft central axis in the range of one to ten degrees (1-10°);
• releasing the launch vehicle from the articulatable carriage and thus from the towed aircraft;
• and
• powering a launch vehicle propulsion system for further altitude gain or to meet specific mission requirements.