Weapon and weapon station system and method for loading, testing, targeting, and/or launching a weapon

A method for outfitting a weapon system and weapon station, comprising:

• associating an infrared light emitting diode with a weapon rail adapted to removably associate with a weapon;
• associating a photodetector with a launch vehicle platform rail adapted to associate with a launch vehicle platform, wherein said infrared light emitting diode and said photodetector exhibit optical coupling when said weapon is associated with said weapon rail and is loaded onto said launch vehicle platform and power is provided to said infrared light emitting diode;
• associating a first inductive power coupler with said launch vehicle platform rail;
• associating a second inductive power coupler with said weapon rail such that a change in current flow through said first inductive power coupler induces a voltage across said second inductive power coupler when said weapon is associated with said weapon rail and is loaded onto said launch vehicle platform;
• and
• providing wireless communication capability between said platform and said weapon, wherein said wireless communication capability is adapted to wirelessly communicate data to and from said weapon and said launch vehicle platform when said weapon is associated with said weapon rail and is loaded onto said launch vehicle platform.

A method of powering, communicating to, and launching, a weapon, said method comprising:

• inductively transferring power to a weapon by inducing a voltage across a second inductive power coupler associated with a weapon rail associated with said weapon by energizing a first inductive power coupler associated with a launch vehicle platform rail when said weapon has been loaded onto said launch vehicle platform;
• wirelessly communicating a type and location of said weapon to said launch vehicle platform using wireless communication capability;
• wirelessly communicating targeting and launch data to said weapon using wireless communication capability;
• wirelessly communicating a launch command to said weapon using wireless communication capability;
• initiating a propulsion system of said weapon in response to said launch command being communicated to said weapon;
• and
• detecting that said weapon has been fired and is no longer on said station by recognizing that an infrared light emitting diode associated with said launch vehicle platform rail and a photodetector associated with said weapon rail are optically de-coupled.