Technique and apparatus for rearward launch of a missile
AssigneeHughes Aircraft Company
InventorHenry August
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A technique and apparatus for rearward launch of a missile. The inventive apparatus (10) includes a launch tube (12) in which the missile (14) is mounted with the forward end of the missile being mounted at the forward end (16) of the tube. The rearward end of the launch tube is sealed with a break-away material (18) prior to expulsion of the missile (14). An expulsion mechanism expels the missile in a rearward direction from the launch tube. The expulsion mechanism includes an airbag (20) and a pressurization mechanism (30). The airbag (20) includes a bra (22) for maintaining the orientation of the missile (14) during the expulsion thereof. The airbag (20) also includes a metallized enclosure (24) for sealing the launch tube (14) after the expulsion of the missile (14).
Claims7
Apparatus for rearward launch of a missile having a forward end and an aft end, said apparatus comprising:
- a launch tube in which the missile is mounted with the forward end of the missile being mounted at the forward end of the tube:
- means for expelling the missile in a rearward direction from the launch tube said means for expelling including:
- i. an airbag:
- ii means for pressurizing said airbag:
- and
- bra means for maintaining the orientation of said missile during the expulsion thereof from the launch tube.
Apparatus for rearward launch of a missile having a forward end and an aft end, said apparatus comprising:
- a launch tube in which the missile is enclosed the forward end of the missile being mounted at the forward end of the tube, the rearward end of the launch tube being sealed with a break-away material prior to launch of the missile and
- means for expelling the missile in a rearward direction from the launch tube, including an airbag and means for pressurizing said airbag, said airbag including bra means for maintaining the orientation of said missile during the expulsion thereof from the launch tube and a metallized enclosure for sealing said launch tube after the expulsion of said missile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.