Methods and apparatus for a brace for attachment to a launch rail for a projectile for distributing loading of the projectile when supported by the launch rail. A height of the brace can be adjusted to distribute loading. In embodiments, a release mechanism can allow movement of a wear plate during launch of the projectile.

The invention relates to a ramp of a catapult and to a catapult. The catapult comprises a carriage (4) for fastening an aircraft (5). The carriage (4) is supported on a ramp (1). The ramp is formed of one or more ramp elements (1a-1m). The ramp element comprises four frame plates, namely two parallel side plates (20a, 20b), a top plate (21) and a bottom plate (22). The frame plates are separate pieces which are connected at fastening points (25) to each other by means of mechanical fastening elements (26).

The invention relates to a launching cylinder of a catapult and to a catapult. The launching cylinder comprises a frame inside which are a pneumatic pressure space for launching purpose and a hydraulic pressure space for returning purpose. The pressure spaces are separated from each other by means of a piston assembly.

A launch tube of a flying object has a tube, a plurality of rails and a plurality of guides. The tube is configured to store the flying object. The rails are fixed on an inner wall of the tube and configured to contact the flying object. The guides are on the inner wall of the tube. One of the guides is configured to contact the flying object, and evacuate from a region of movement of the flying object, when the flying object moves to leave the one of the guides.

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.

An aircraft safety apparatus removably disposed on at least a portion of an aircraft, the aircraft safety apparatus including a parachute canister, including a main body to store at least one item therein, and at least one parachute disposed within at least a portion of the main body to reduce a rate of descent of the aircraft in response to extraction from the main body, and a rocket canister removably connected to at least a portion of the main body to at least partially fill at least a portion of the main body with a combustible gas, and a gas canister removably connected to at least a portion of the main body to at least partially fill at least a portion of the main body with a non-combustible gas.

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 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.

The present disclosure relates launch systems, launch vehicles for use with the launch system, and methods of launching articles utilizing the launch vehicle and/or the launch system. In particular, various improvements for electroantimagnetic launch systems, vehicles, and methods are provided.

The invention relates to a launching cylinder of a catapult and to a catapult. The launching cylinder comprises a frame inside which are a pneumatic pressure space for launching purpose and a hydraulic pressure space for returning purpose. The pressure spaces are separated from each other by means of a piston assembly.