Double fabric, retractable, self-erecting wing for missle

In a missile having an elongated body, the body having an outer wall with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending slots therein, a retractable, self-erecting wing mounted in each slot, each wing comprising:

• a wing supporting strut assembly comprised of at least one elongated strut element operably mounted in the slot, said strut assembly being adapted to move from a retracted position completely within said outer wall of said body to an extended position projecting from the body;
• biasing means urging said strut assembly toward the extended position;
• a wing member of flexible fabric material in the form of a double walled pocket conforming substantially to the extended configuration of the strut assembly and movable therewith, said wing member being secured to said outer wall around the periphery of the slot and enclosing said strut assembly between the fabric walls and within the pocket of said double walled pocket;
• retaining means operably mounted in the body for releasably holding, against the force of said biasing means, the wing in a retracted position with the strut assembly and wing member folded within the slot;
• and extension means operably mounted on the body for releasing said retaining means thereby extending the wing pursuant to the force of said biasing means.