A launch canister for ejection from a submerged launch platform, the launch canister being adapted for ejection in a direction substantially along a first axis of the launch canister and comprising: an enclosure for carrying a UAV; a nose cap releasably located in a launch opening at a forward end of the launch canister; a launch mechanism for driving a UAV carried in the enclosure out of the launch canister through the launch opening in a direction substantially along said first axis; and a water surface sensor for detecting when the nose cap of the canister broaches the surface of the water; wherein the launch canister is configured to, on the water surface sensor detecting that the nose cap of the canister has broached the surface of the water, immediately release the nose cap and initiate the launch mechanism to drive a UAV carried in the enclosure out of the launch canister through the launch opening.
Launched air vehicle system
10.04.2018
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
IPC: | B63G OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS , Angriffs- oder Verteidigungsanordnungen auf Schiffen / F41F APPARATUS FOR LAUNCHING PROJECTILES OR MISSILES FROM BARRELS, e.g. CANNONS , Vorrichtungen zum Abschießen von Geschossen oder Flugkörpern aus Rohren, z.B. Geschütze / B64F GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT , Boden- oder Flugzeugträgerdeckeinrichtungen besonders ausgebildet für die Verwendung in Verbindung mit Luftfahrzeugen |