Missile launcher for aircraft
AssigneeLockheed Aircraft Corporation
InventorRollo G. Smethers, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mechanism rapidly and repetitively launches missiles from inside an aircraft during flight. One or more missiles are carried and launched through a tube protruding through the front of the aircraft thus obviating the necessity for bomb bay or other sizeable, open doors. The aircraft interior may be used as a large accumulator so that pressurized internal air is utilized as the propellant when admitted to a breech. Thus, a "cold" launch is achieved negating the possibility of a "hang fire". Multiple missiles can be carried in revolving chambers which are capable of rapid rotation into firing position. The advantages of the system include the ability to launch at high aircraft altitudes and speeds with the missile moving toward the target.
Claims10
A missile launcher for aircraft comprising:
- at least one tube mounted internally of said aircraft and adapted to contain a missile to be ejected therefrom, each said missile tube being sized internally to the transverse dimension of the aft end of said missile and adapted to be disposed in axial alignment with an opening in the forward end of said aircraft;
- a removable and replaceable closure associated with said opening;
- a chamber at the aft end of said missile tube, the interior of which is in communication with the end of the adjacent missile tube aft of said missile therein;
- a source of fluid under pressure in excess of that in said each adjacent missile tube forwardly of said missile;
- a conduit connecting said chamber with said fluid source;
- and
- a valve associated with said conduit to control the passage of said fluid from said source into the adjacent chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.