A system and method for cooling a missile includes an assembly of Peltier tiles configured to be reversibly attached to the skin of the missile with the cold sides of the Peltier tiles against the skin. The Peltier tiles are electrically powered to cool a portion of the missile skin. A thermally conductive paste or sheets of a heat conductive material may be placed between the Peltier tiles and missile skin. When the missile is launched, the assembly of Peltier tiles detach from the missile.

A system and method for cooling a missile includes an assembly of Peltier tiles configured to be reversibly attached to the skin of the missile with the cold sides of the Peltier tiles against the skin. The Peltier tiles are electrically powered to cool a portion of the missile skin. A thermally conductive paste or sheets of a heat conductive material may be placed between the Peltier tiles and missile skin. When the missile is launched, the assembly of Peltier tiles detach from the missile.

A munitions interface adapter including a rail adapter body. A plurality of mounting shoes may be coupled to the rail adapter body, and configured to mechanically couple the rail adapter body to a munitions rail of an installed munitions interface. A fire control connector may be configured to communicatively couple with an installed munitions fire control system. An adapter control interface may be included for adapting fire control signals from the installed munitions fire control system to an adapted munitions fire control signals. One or more adapted munitions deployment fixtures may be positioned on the rail adapter body. The one or more adapted munitions deployment fixtures are configured to retain and deploy one or more adapted munitions.

A munitions interface adapter including a rail adapter body. A plurality of mounting shoes may be coupled to the rail adapter body, and configured to mechanically couple the rail adapter body to a munitions rail of an installed munitions interface. A fire control connector may be configured to communicatively couple with an installed munitions fire control system. An adapter control interface may be included for adapting fire control signals from the installed munitions fire control system to an adapted munitions fire control signals. One or more adapted munitions deployment fixtures may be positioned on the rail adapter body. The one or more adapted munitions deployment fixtures are configured to retain and deploy one or more adapted munitions.

A flexible cover includes a main layer made of a first composite material that includes a first woven material and a first elastomer. The flexible cover also includes an auxiliary layer made of a second composite material that includes a second woven material and a second elastomer. The auxiliary layer is secured to a face of the main layer and includes petal-shaped regions that are separated from one another by weakening lines.

A launch apparatus for launching a missile includes a launching tube extending in a longitudinal direction. The launching tube has an outlet opening at a first end. An acceleration device arranged in the region of a second end of the launching tube includes a gas generator to generate a gas mass flow, and a bag formed from a textile fabric. The bag is coupled to a diffuser of the gas generator via an end opening and inflates longitudinally by the gas mass flow generated by the gas generator to accelerate the missile. The bag has a gas permeability within a range of between 10 l dm.sup.2 min.sup.1 and 30 l dm.sup.2 min.sup.1. When inflated, a cross section of the bag alternatively or additionally tapers from the end opening to a minimal cross section along the longitudinal direction and increases in size to an end opposite the end opening.

A launch apparatus for launching a missile includes a launching tube extending in a longitudinal direction. The launching tube has an outlet opening at a first end. An acceleration device arranged in the region of a second end of the launching tube includes a gas generator to generate a gas mass flow, and a bag formed from a textile fabric. The bag is coupled to a diffuser of the gas generator via an end opening and inflates longitudinally by the gas mass flow generated by the gas generator to accelerate the missile. The bag has a gas permeability within a range of between 10 l dm.sup.2 min.sup.1 and 30 l dm.sup.2 min.sup.1. When inflated, a cross section of the bag alternatively or additionally tapers from the end opening to a minimal cross section along the longitudinal direction and increases in size to an end opposite the end opening.

A missile includes a rocket motor that has a flow deflector in an expansion region of the rocket motor's nozzle. The flow deflector diverts flow of combustion products away from a safe region that is aft of the missile. The safe region protects an operator of a launcher used to fire the missile, such as a shoulder-fired launcher, from harm caused by the combustion products. The flow deflector may be small enough such that it does not significantly adversely affect the performance of the rocket motor. The presence of the flow diverter may allow for the rocket motor to be started sooner in the flight of the missile, or at a distance closer to the operator, while still keeping the operator safe. The flow deflector and supporting structure, such as struts, may be additively manufactured with at least an aft part of the nozzle, as a continuous single-piece part.

An orb or body deployable from a launch tube serves as a countermeasures system. Where used, a tow rocket may be used to tow the orb or body to a desired location generally in front of an oncoming threat, and the tow rocket is released. Multiple line tow rockets are then launched from the orb in every direction, each extending a line connected to the orb to define a spherical volume within which the orb and lines operate. Each line may include at least one of sensors for sensing acoustic, magnetic or other disturbances, countermeasures systems including explosives, antenna, and radiating countermeasures transducers. Explosives or transducers may also be mounted in or to the orb. Magnetic, acoustic or electrical signals or the like may be emitted to confuse a threat, and explosives may be triggered when the threat enters the spherical volume defined by the extended lines.

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.