Airframe-mounted package launching system, package launching device and method of operation thereof

A package launching device configured to be attached to an aircraft airframe structure proximate an external airframe opening, the package launch device comprising:

• a launch bed configured to support a package during a launching process;
• and
• a launch assembly configured to impart a launching force to the supported package on the launch bed during the launching process, wherein the launch assembly includes
• a launch carriage configured to translate under an applied force from a first locked position toward a second stopped position during the launching process, and
• a trigger assembly configured to
• hold the launch carriage in the first locked position,
• release the launch carriage from the first locked position when the trigger assembly receives a trigger input thereby initiating the launching process,
• retrieve the launch carriage from the second stopped position during a retrieval process, and
• translate, during the retrieval process, the launch carriage against the applied force into the first locked position.

A method of operating an airframe package launching system, the method comprising:

• mounting a package launching device to an airframe structure of an aircraft;
• providing a trigger input to the package launching device configured to activate a launching process to launch a package from the package launching device through an external airframe opening of the aircraft;
• and
• initiating a resetting process of the package launching device configured to enable another package to be subject to a second launching process.