Modular launch-cell system

A modular launch-cell system for a launch vehicle. The method includes a number of launch-cells, a base and an upper attachment arrangement. The launch-cells include a missile and are arranged in a structure which includes a number of layers, each of the layer includes two or more launch cells. The launch-cells are substantially directly reversibly mechanically connected to the base. One of the launch-cells includes a lower attachment arrangement configured for reversibly mechanically connecting one launch-cell to one or more of the base and another of the launch-cells disposed below the one launch-cell. The upper arrangement is designed for reversibly mechanically connecting one launch-cell to another of the launch-cells disposed above the one launch-cell.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a launch-cell system and, in particular, it concerns a modular launch-cell system.

Of most relevance to the present invention is U.S. Pat. No. 6,125,734 to Yagla, which teaches a modular horizontal launch-cell system. A modular frame structure is assembled to create the launch-cell system. Individual launchable devices can then be inserted into canisters. The canisters are then inserted horizontally into the frame structure. A shortcoming of the aforementioned system is due to the requirement of a frame structure which adds to the bulk, expense and complexity of the system and complicates the loading and unloading process, requiring a horizontal insertion of the canisters.

Also of relevance to the present invention is U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,005 to Crowley, U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,600 to Boudreau, et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,640 to Bovee, et al. These patents teach inserting launch-cells into a container at the location from where the missiles are to be launched. Bovee, et al. also teaches vertically mounting individual missiles to a base alongside a launch-cell container. A shortcoming of the aforementioned systems is that the launch-cells need to be individually loaded by the soldiers at the battlefield.

There is therefore a need for a launch-cell system, which can be assembled off-site, easily transported to the battlefield, protects the launch-cells from rough handling, which therefore eliminates the need to stiffen each launch-cell against rough handling and does not require soldiers to individually handle the launch-cells at the battle field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a modular launch-cell system construction and method of operation thereof.

According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided, a modular launch-cell system for a launch vehicle, comprising: (a) a plurality of launch-cells, each of the launch-cells including a missile, the launch-cells being arranged in a structure having a plurality of layers, each of the layers including at least two of the launch-cells; and (b) a base, the launch-cells being substantially directly reversibly mechanically connected to the base, wherein one of the launch-cells includes: (i) a lower attachment arrangement configured for reversibly mechanically connecting the one launch-cell to at least one of the base and another of the launch-cells disposed below the one launch-cell; and (ii) an upper attachment arrangement configured for reversibly mechanically connecting the one launch-cell to another of the launch-cells disposed above the one launch-cell.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the base includes a handling and mounting arrangement configured for use in: (a) lifting and transporting the system; and (b) mounting the system on the launch vehicle.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the launch-cells of one of the layers are only connected via the base.

According to the teachings of the present invention there is also provided a method for loading a missile launcher with missiles, comprising the steps of: (a) substantially directly reversibly mechanically connecting a plurality of individual launch-cells to a base to form a multi-layered launch-cell arrangement having a plurality of layers, each of the layers including at least two of the launch-cells, each of the launch-cells including a missile; (b) mounting the launch-cell arrangement onto a launching vehicle; and (c) launching the missile of each of the launch-cells.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided the step of replacing an empty one of the launch-cells with a new launch-cell having a missile.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided the step of replacing one of the launch-cells of the launch cell arrangement with another launch-cell.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a modular launch-cell system construction and method of operation thereof.

The principles and operation of a modular launch-cell system according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

Reference is now made toFIG. 1, which is a schematic isometric view of a modular launch-cell system10that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Modular launch-cell system10includes a plurality of individual launch-cells12, for example, but not limited to launch tubes or canisters. The term “individual” is defined herein as, each launch-cell12being configured to operate independently of any other launch-cell12. Each launch-cell12includes a missile (not shown). A missile is defined herein to include projectiles, rockets, guided missiles and other launchable devices. Launch-cells12are arranged in a structure having a plurality of layers14, a lower layer18and an upper layer20, on a base16. The length of elongation of launch-cells12is parallel to a major surface of base16. Each layer14includes three launch-cells12. It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that modular launch-cell system10can include any plurality of layers and any plurality of launch-cells12per layer. Launch-cells12are substantially directly reversibly mechanically connected to base16. The term “substantially directly” is defined herein as, launch-cells12having features for direct connection to base16and/or other launch-cells12, such that launch-cells12are secured in layers above base16without the need of a structural frame for supporting launch-cells12, for example by inserting or connecting launch-cells12to such a frame. The term “substantially directly” does not exclude constructing a canopy having side panels and/or a detachable roof for protecting launch-cells12, for example, but not limited to, from weather conditions and/or rough handling. The term “substantially direct” is also defined herein to include where adjacent launch-cells12are touching each other and/or base16or where adjacent launch-cells12are not touching each other and/or base16. The term “reversibly” is defined herein to include mechanically connecting launch-cells12such that, launch-cells12can be conveniently removed from and reordered in modular launch-cell system10, or replaced with other launch-cells12at a subsequent time. Base16has two entry channels22. Channels22extend longitudinally or laterally from one side of base16to the other end. Channels22are configured such that a forklift truck (not shown) is used to load and unload modular launch-cell system10from a ammunition transporter to a launch vehicle or platform. Base16includes four eyebolts32for hoisting modular launch-cell system10with a crane (not shown). Also base16includes four tie-down points34for securely mounting base16on an ammunition transporter (not shown) or launch vehicle (not shown). Channels22, eyebolts32and tie-down points34form a handling and mounting arrangement of base16. Each launch-cell12has its own electrical connection, for external electrical input, at the end of launch-cell12facing away from the front of the missile within that launch-cell12.

Reference is now made toFIG. 2, which is a schematic front view of modular launch-cell system10ofFIG. 1showing how launch-cells12are arranged on base16. Lower layer18includes three launch-cells12and upper layer20includes three launch-cells12. Launch-cells12of lower layer18are only reversible mechanically connected to base16and to launch-cells12of upper layer20. In other words, launch-cells12of lower layer18are only connected via base16. Similarly, launch-cells12of upper layer20are only mechanically connected to launch-cells12of lower layer18. In other words, launch-cells12of upper layer20are only connected via base16. Therefore, if one launch-cell12of upper layer20needs to be removed, for example due to a defect, then the launch-cell12is simply disconnected from lower launch-cell12and raised out of modular launch-cell system10. Similarly, if one launch-cell12of lower layer18needs to be removed, then the launch-cell12directly above the defective launch-cell12is removed by being disconnected from the defective launch-cell12and the defective launch-cell12is removed by being disconnected from base16. No other launch-cells12of modular launch-cell system10are involved, thereby making removal or replacement of launch-cells12very straightforward.

Reference is now made toFIG. 3, which is a schematic cross-sectional view of a section of modular launch-cell system10ofFIG. 1showing how launch-cells12are mechanically connected. Each launch-cell12includes a lower attachment arrangement24configured for reversibly mechanically connecting that launch-cell12to base16or to another launch-cell12disposed below that launch-cell12. Each Launch-cell12also includes an upper attachment arrangement26configured for reversibly mechanically connecting that launch-cell12to another launch-cell12disposed above that launch-cells12. Lower attachment arrangement24typically includes a bolt28which screws into a threaded channel30of an associated upper attachment arrangement26or base16. For the sake of convenience, layers14are described as being “above” or “below” another layer of modular launch-cell system10. Base16is considered to be at the bottom of modular launch-cell system10and lower layer18and upper layer20are “above” base16, and lower layer18is “below” upper layer20.

In operation, individual launch-cells12are substantially directly reversibly mechanically connected to base16to form a multi-layered launch-cell arrangement having a plurality of layers14. Modular launch-cell system10is typically assembled and dismantled by skilled ammunition workers, using specialized equipment, in the controlled environment of a factory or an ammunition depot. Modular launch-cell system10is loaded onto an ammunition transporter (not shown) by a forklift truck or a crane (not shown) and secured to its cargo bed. The ammunition transporter is driven to the launching vehicle (not shown). Modular launch-cell system10is transferred from the ammunition transporter to the launching vehicle by another forklift truck, or crane. Modular launch-cell system10is then installed so that missiles of modular launch-cell system10can be launched. If any of launch-cells12are found to be defective, or a launch-cell is now empty after launching the missile therein, or for any other reason, modular launch-cell system10is shipped back to the factory or the depot, where one or more launch-cells12are replaced by other launch-cells12. Alternatively, a launch-cell12may be replaced outside the factory, using suitably adequate equipment. The defective launch cell12is then mounted on another base16for transportation back to the factory or to the depot.