Patent ID: 6012375
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: A61K,A61P

Abstract:
A defense system for an aircraft of the type including a plurality of hard points adapted for mounting of external loads thereto, said defense system including:a launch housing having an aerodynamically shaped forward end and an at least partially open aft end disposed in communication with an interior cavity defining a launch chamber,a missile assembly structured and disposed for attachment to said launch housing within said launch chamber and including:at least one infrared guided missile having a seeker head at one end and propulsion means at an opposite end,gas coolant storage means for storing pressurized gas coolant therein,gas coolant supply means interconnected between said gas coolant storage means and said missile for supplying gas coolant to said seeker head upon activation thereof,connection means for connecting said missile assembly to said launch housing within said launch chamber,missile fire control means electrically interconnected to said missile assembly for activating said seeker head and said propulsion means to facilitate launching of said missile from said launch housing, andmounting means for mounting said launch housing to one of the hard points of the aircraft with said aft end of said launch housing oriented in an aft facing direction relative to the aircraft so as to cause said missile to be launched in a direction substantially opposite to the directional heading of the aircraft.