Lockheed Martin Corporation

Jorge Igancio Ciappi

Mark R Alberding

David Conrad Briggs

William Russell Kraft, Iii

A cold-gas munitions launch system is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, the system includes a munitions canister, a gas generator, and a sled. The sled supports a munition. The gas generator is located in the aft end of the munitions canister. When ignited, the gas generator produces gas, which drives the sled forward. As the sled reaches the end of the canister, the munition is launched by its own inertia, at a velocity that is within the range of about 3 to 9 g. After the munition clears the canister and travels at least about 150 feet from it, the munition's booster is ignited.

Cold-gas munitions launch system

A self-contained missile canister includes a cylindrical shell having a plenum or manifold at the breech end for receiving and deflecting missile exhaust gases. A plurality of tubular exhaust ducts or uptake tubes route exhaust gases from the plenum to locations near the missile exit end of the canister. Protrusions on the missile, such as guide rails or aerodynamic control fins, extend from the missile body at locations lying between the exhaust ducts. The tubular exhaust ducts resist the exhaust pressure in hoop tension, so are lightweight. Ablative material may line the exhaust ducts. The exhaust ducts may be supported by longitudinally disposed support beams, preferably I-beams. In one embodiment, each I-beam supports two exhaust ducts.

Growing community of inventors

Bel Air, MD, United States of America

Jorge Igancio Ciappi