Raytheon Company

Vertex Aerospace LLC

Robert Alan Bailey

Brady Plummer

Armando Guerrero

Stephen A Streib

James T Erdmann

Jessica R Deherdt

Roy P McMahon

Carl P Nicodemus

Roy Patrick McMahon

David G Howard

Robert W Plummer

Philip C Wright

James Traylor

Andrew D Hartz

David R Campbell

Robert A Garrison

Jeffrey W Van Liew

Laura Marie Burnett

Robert James Killian

Charles M Poi, Jr

A munitions rack includes a munitions rack structure that houses multiple compact ejectors. The structure includes a pair of internal longitudinal ribs, inboard of a pair of external longitudinal ribs. A spine of the munitions rack structure links all the ribs, and the munitions rack structure may be formed out of a single piece of material. The ribs define a pair of side recesses on the port and starboard sides of the bomb, which each may be further subdivided into a forward pocket and an aft pocket. Removable ejectors are located in the pockets. The ejectors may receive pressurized gas from pressurized gas source(s) located outside of the ejectors. The ejectors may each have multiple forward pistons and multiple aft pistons. The ejectors may include pitch control valving to control the relative amounts of pressurized gas sent to the forward piston(s) and aft piston(s).

Munitions rack with structural element and insertable ejectors

A rail launch mechanism and method for launching a payload is configured to release payload lugs of a payload from a platform. A rack for launching a payload includes multiple rails that separately engage lugs in the respective payload of the rails, and a force actuator for launching the payload by accelerating the payload along the rails, causing the lugs to separate from the respective rails. A launching system for launching the payload from the platform may include a rail, at least one payload release shoe that carries a payload lug along the rail, and a force actuator for accelerating the payload release shoe such that inertia of the payload causes the payload lug to be released from the payload release shoe.

Rail-launching munition release

Systems and methods for launching munitions are provided. In some embodiments, a launcher configured to retain a munition during transport by a vehicle may comprise a first housing, circuitry, and a second housing. The first housing may define a tube configured to hold a munition for transportation. The circuitry may provide electrical communication with a munition present within the tube. The second housing may define a tube corresponding to the tube defined by the first housing. The second housing may be configured to mount to the first housing so that the tubes defined by the first housing and the second housing combine to house and launch a munition.

Systems and methods for launching munitions

According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a frame portion made of metal and having a substantially elongated shape. The frame portion comprises one or more cavities situated in a longitudinal direction, and a composite material is disposed within the cavities to structurally reinforce the frame portion. The frame portion includes one or more missile guides situated in the longitudinal direction and configured to slidingly engage a weapon.

Composite reinforced missile rail

According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a structural body, one or more attachment couplers, and an adjustable store coupler. The structural body comprises a cylindrical portion and one or more end portions coupled to the cylindrical portion. The attachment couplers are configured to be coupled to a bomb rack of an aircraft. The adjustable store coupler has attachment points arranged in a substantially linear manner. The attachment points are configured to couple one or more store systems to the adjustable store coupler.

Adjustable bomb carrier

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method includes driving a piston by mechanically harnessing an explosion of energetic material contained in a cartridge. The method further includes releasing cleanser contained in the cartridge in response to the explosion of the energetic material.

Self-cleaning cartridge actuated and propellant actuated devices

According to one embodiment, a cartridge includes a main explosive and an exploding foil initiator housed in a case. The exploding foil initiator includes metallic strips that are operable to initiate explosion of the main explosive in response to an electrical signal.

Exploding foil initiator actuated cartridge

According to one embodiment, an ejection system for deploying a store includes a first cartridge actuated device coupled to a first release mechanism, a second cartridge actuated device coupled to a second release mechanism, and a controller circuit coupled to the first and second cartridge actuated devices. The first and second release mechanisms are configured to eject the store away from a vehicle. The controller circuit is operable to detonate the second cartridge actuated device at a specified period of time after the first cartridge actuated device is detonated.

Ejection system for deploying a store

A store ejection system for an aircraft includes a store ejector, and a power source for the store ejector. The power source has a fuel supply of a flowable combustible fuel, an oxidizer supply of a flowable oxidizer, a combustion chamber that controllably receives the combustible fuel from the fuel supply and the oxidizer from the oxidizer supply and forms a combustible mixture thereof, an igniter that controllably ignites the combustible mixture in the combustion chamber, and a combustion-gas line extending from the power source to the store ejector.

Store ejection system utilizing a mixed fuel and oxidizer in a power source

A dispenser structure for chaff countermeasures includes at least one chaff dispenser having a dispenser tube with a tube sidewall, a dispensing opening, and a female thread structure in an inner surface of the tube sidewall, and a male worm gear engaged to the female thread structure of the dispenser tube. A drive structure has a motor mount upon which the worm gear is rotatably supported, with the motor mount being mechanically reacted to prevent the motor mount from turning, and a drive motor affixed to the motor mount and having a motor output connected to the worm gear to controllably turn the worm gear. Chaff countermeasures are disposed within the dispenser tube between the worm gear and the dispensing opening, so that they may be pushed out the dispensing opening as the motor turns the worm gear.

Dispenser structure for chaff countermeasures

A convertible multipurpose missile launcher includes a launch rail structure on the launcher body with a first-missile launch rail on the bottom side of the launcher body extending in a longitudinal direction. The first-missile launch rail is dimensioned for a first missile. A second-missile launch rail is positioned on the bottom side of the launcher body and extends in the longitudinal direction. The second-missile launch rail is dimensioned for a second missile different from the first missile. The second-missile launch rail includes a stationary second-missile forward launch rail segment, and a movable second-missile aft launch rail segment. The movable second-missile aft launch rail segment is slidable on the launcher body, and preferably on the first-missile launch rail, between a forward position and an aft position and may be locked in these positions.

Growing community of inventors

Avon, IN, United States of America

Robert Alan Bailey