Patent ID: 6457673
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: B64F

Abstract:
A mobile aircraft launcher comprising:a wheeled trailer adapted to be towed by a land vehicle and to be tilted to launch an aircraft; a launch beam mounted on the trailer, the launch beam comprising a plurality of beam sections hinged to one another, the launch beam being movable between a folded, transport condition, in which the beam sections are generally side-by-side, and a launch condition, in which the beam sections are colinear to define a continuous rectilinear beam; an aircraft-engaging shuttle mounted on the launch beam for movement along the length of the launch beam; a shuttle-moving drive arrangement mounted on the trailer; and at least one jack secured to the trailer and adjustable between a) a first adjustment condition, in which the jack supports the launch beam in a horizontal attitude to facilitate the movement of the launch beam between its folded, transport condition and its launch condition, and b) a second adjustment condition, in which the wheeled trailer tilts, and the launch beam is in an inclined position for launch, wherein the launch beam has a portion extending forward of the trailer with respect to the direction of launch when the beam sections are colinear, said portion being supportable entirely through the trailer when the beam sections are colinear.