Weapons system for the ballistic and guided attack on multiple targets, especially by an aircraft

An apparatus for the guided attack on multiple targets by means of a weapons carrier combat aircraft, comprising a firing control system including computer means (17) and firing control data input means operatively connected to said computer means, rotary drum means (13, 113) comprising a plurality of rotary drum platforms, housing means (12, 111, 114, 114a) operatively securing said rotary drum means to the underside of said combat aircraft, said housing means comprising firing openings arranged to permit the firing of projectiles substantially in the forward direction and in the lateral direction relative to the direction of movement of said combat aircraft, said rotary drum means being operatively supported for rotation in said housing means, launching tube means in said rotary drum platforms for holding guided projectiles therein, drive means operatively connected to said rotary drum platforms and to said computer means for rotating said rotary drum platforms into a firing position in response to firing control data from said firing control data input means, said computer means and said drive means comprising electronic control means for individually rotating each of said rotary drum platforms independently of any other rotary drum platform so that the projectile most suitable for being directed at the particular target is selected and fired at the target with a defined lateral lead factor whereby the flight trajectory of a weapon may be established independently of the flight trajectory of the combat aircraft and so that the weapon firing may be aimed for high accuracy against multiple or complex ground or air targets without statistical weapon scattering.