Man-portable foldable launcher rocket weapon system

A man portable shoulder fired rocket weapon system including a two section tubular launcher, sections of which are hingedly foldable one over the other to reduce the launcher length for storage and transport, and permitting the launcher to be holster carried in the manner of a sidearm. A lock and seal coupling connects the unfolded launcher tube sections to extend the launcher for firing and also serves as a safety element in the firing circuit. Two tubular blast shields are mounted concentrically upon the launch tube sections and are extendable therefrom to further lengthen the launcher and provide protection for the user against rocket motor exhaust. A compatible rocket round is carried in the folded launcher as a ready round. A waist worn holster and reload pack complete the weapon system elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
There is a continuing need to increase the fire power availability to 
individual combat troops to provide strike and defense weapons against 
targets including armored vehicles, fortified positions, and opposing 
personnel. To fit such needs, the weapon system must be easily carried and 
handled, be rugged, and have warhead versatility. Known fin stabilized 
rockets have provided such a capability to a degree, in that rockets and 
launchers have been developed that are capable of being used by an 
individual soldier. However, available rocket weapon systems are designed 
for longer ranges and utilize rigid launching tubes which are of such 
length that they must at best be shoulder carried, and are relatively 
awkward to handle and fire. Additionally, presently available rocket 
weapon systems are generally not reusable after having once been fired. 
It is desired therefore, to have a reloadable rocket weapon system that is 
usable at ranges to approximately 100 meters that may be easily carried 
and fired by an individual. Such a weapon system should be safe, compact, 
simple, and rugged so as to remain serviceable under combat conditions. 
The weapon system of the present invention fulfills these requirements. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to the invention, a short range man portable rocket weapon system 
has been devised wherein the rocket launcher consists of forward and after 
tube sections that are foldable one upon the other for compactness such 
that the launcher may be holster carried at the belt of the user. Tubular 
blast shields concentrically mounted upon the launch tube sections are 
sealably extendable therefrom to provide additional launcher tube length 
and provide blast protection during rocket firing. According to a further 
precept of the invention, the unfolded sections are locked and sealed 
together by a coupling mechanism which also functions as an element in the 
electrical firing circuit of the launcher. The rocket launcher is 
reloadable with compatibly sized and configured rocket rounds. According 
to the illustrated embodiment, various rocket warhead designs may be made 
available to provide characteristics suitable against different targets 
such as vehicles, fortifications, or personnel. A belt carried reload pack 
of rocket rounds permits warhead selection and a sustained capability in 
the field. 
It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved short range 
rocket weapon system. The rocket launcher of the system is light in 
weight, yet rugged and safe. The launcher is foldable to provide a compact 
assembly which may be belt carried. The launcher is of simple design and 
is easily extended for shoulder firing. The launcher is reloadable. It is 
also relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
The rocket launcher 10 is illustrated in its folded, or carrying 
configuration, in FIG. 1, and in its extended, of firing configuration, in 
FIG. 2. In the description that follows, forward refers to the muzzle end 
13 of the extended launcher. Launcher 10 consists of a forward launch tube 
section 12 and an after launch tube section 14. The tube sections 12 and 
14 are formed from metal tubing material such as steel or aluminum, but it 
is recognized that other suitable materials may be used. The launch tube 
sections 12 and 14 are rotatably connected together by hinge 16 such that 
the after tube section 14 may be folded forward to rest on top of the 
forward launch tube section 12, or rotated aft to form a rearward 
extension of the forward launch tube section 12 as illustrated in FIG. 2. 
A forward blast shield 18 is mounted concentric with, and slideable upon, 
the forward launch tube section 12. An after blast shield 20 is similarly 
formed and mounted upon the after launch tube section 14. A pistol grip 22 
used in handling, aiming, and firing the rocket launcher 10 is attached 
adjacent to the after end of the forward launch tube section 12. A 
rotatable hand grip 24 is mounted to the under side of the forward blast 
shield 18. Caps 26 are employed to close the open ends of the launch tube 
sections 12 and 14 and are removed before firing of the rocket launcher. 
Launcher 10 is illustrated in its shoulder firing configuration in FIG. 2. 
The after launch tube section 14 is depicted as having been rotated about 
hinge 16, and its forward end 15 sealed and locked against the after end 
17 of the launch tube section 12 in a manner as will be subsequently 
described. Blast shields 18 and 20 are illustrated as extended forward and 
aft respectively to form an extended launcher 10 to guide the rocket 
during launching and limit blast effects. Handgrip 24 is shown rotated 
forward and locked to provide a hand hold for steadying the launcher 10 
during aiming and firing. Front sight 28 and read side 30 are pivotally 
mounted to the forward blast shield 18 and the forward launch tube section 
12, respectively, so that they may be lowered to fit between the launch 
tubes when the launcher 10 is folded. 
The exterior configuration of a typical rocket 32 before firing is depicted 
in FIG. 3. Folding fins 34, (FIG. 4) for stabilizing the flight of the 
rocket 32 are folded into slots 36 in the rocket motor casing 38. In FIG. 
4, a rocket 32 is illustrated in its after firing condition with the 
stabilizing fins 34 deployed. The construction of a representative rocket 
round 32 is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. The rocket 32 has a nose cone 
31, warhead section 33, detonator booster 35, fusing section 37, and a 
solid fuel propulsion motor 39. The warhead of the illustrated embodiment 
is a shaped charge, but it should be recognized that other warheads may be 
provided. 
As depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, and illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 
12 and 13, the casing 38 of propulsion motor 39 is formed with 
longitudinal slots 36 which extend inwardly toward the inner surface 49 of 
the casing 38. The rocket nozzle end cap 51 slips over a stub 57 of the 
rocket motor casing 38 and is secured thereto by the retaining pin 53 
which passes laterally through the end cap 51 and motor casing 38. An "O" 
ring 54 forms a seal between the nozzle end cap and the motor casing. End 
cap 51 is also formed with slots 59 which mate with and form extensions of 
the motor casing slots 36. The fins 34 are pivotally mounted on pins 41 
which are installed in slots 59 of the nozzle end cap 51. In the pre-fire 
condition, fins 34 are contained within the slots 36 and 59 against the 
spring pressure exerted by springs 45. The fins are held in place by 
retainer band 47 until the rocket 32 is loaded. 
FIG. 14 illustrates a second embodiment of the rocket 32 which has an 
alternate design for the assembly of the rocket motor casing 38. In this 
embodiment, the rocket motor casing 38 is joined to the rocket warhead 
body 61 by a threaded connection 65. The stub 57 at the after end of the 
motor casing is provided with a threaded section 67. Mating internal 
threads in the nozzle and end cap 51 are employed to secure the nozzle end 
cap to the stub 57. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 14, a motor igniter 
69 is located at the after end of the motor casing 38 which is connected 
by wiring leads 71 to the firing circuit connections 82. 
The additional components of the weapon system are depicted in FIG. 5. A 
waist belt 40 of conventional design supports the launcher holster 42 and 
a reload rocket carrying pack 44. Carrying pack 44 is capable of storing 4 
reload rockets. Launcher 10 is storable within the holster 40. By virtue 
of the design, the weapon system embodiment is not only easily man 
portable, but provides for a significant degree of sustained use in 
combat, since launcher 10 may be reloaded in the field with rockets 
contained in the carrying pack 44. It should be recognized, that the 
representative rocket round 32 may be equipped with warheads of different 
capabilities such that selection of a suitable round may be made by the 
combat soldier depending upon the targets anticipated or encountered. 
Further details of the construction of rocket launcher 10 are illustrated 
in FIGS. 6 and 11, wherein the launcher 10 is shown in its folded 
configuration with a loaded round 32 in place in the after launch tube 
section 14. Since the arrangement, operation, and sealing of the blast 
shields 18 and 20 are the same, only the details of the forward shield 18 
will be described. Blast shield 18 is tubular in shape, fits 
concentrically about a portion of the forward launch tube section 12, and 
is slideable thereon. Blast shield 18 is extendable forwardly on the 
launch tube section 12. When fully extended, as in FIG. 7, detents 46 
located in and adjacent to the forward end of forward launch tube section 
12 engage locking groove 48 located adjacent to the after end of the 
forward blast shield 18. The detents 46 and groove 48 are spaced so as to 
provide a sufficient overlap between blast shield 18 and launch tube 
section 12 for rigidity in the extended launcher 10. When blast shield 18 
is extended, the "O" ring 50, located in the interior after end of blast 
shield 18 forms a seal with the seal flange 52 to provide a gas tight seal 
between the forward launch tube section 12 and the extended forward blast 
shield 18. 
In FIG. 6, coupling hinge 16 and coupling latch 54 are illustrated as they 
appear in the folded configuration of rocket launcher 10. When the after 
launch tube section 14 is rotated to extend the launcher 10, latch 54 
engages coupling hasp 56 to secure the tube sections 12 and 14 together. 
In the same coupling action, firing circuit receptacle 58 and firing 
circuit plug 60 are connected to complete the firing circuit to the after 
launch tube section 14 as illustrated in FIG. 7. Coupling "O" ring 62 
seats over the after end 17 of tube section 12 to provide a gas tight seal 
between the launch tube sections 12 and 14 when the latch 54 and the hasp 
56 are engaged. 
The rocket 32 is fired electrically from the launcher 10. The construction 
and arrangement of the firing circuit is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. 
Safety button 64 located in pistol grip 22 controls switch 72 of the 
firing circuit. Grip safety lever 68 similarly controls switch 74 of the 
firing circuit. Both switches 72 and 74 must be closed in order to 
complete the firing circuit powered by the battery 76 which is contained 
within pistol grip 22. An additional safety element in the circuit is 
provided by the after blast shield safety switch 78, which is closed when 
the blast shield 20 is fully extended from the after launch tube section 
14. 
As further illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the firing circuit is connected to 
the rocket 32 through the electrical coupling 80 located at the after end 
of the launch tube section 14 which engages with the electrical connectors 
82 located on the skirt of the rocket motor exit cone 84. Operation of 
trigger 86 closes firing switch 88 to initiate rocket ignition if safety 
switches 72, 74, and 78 are closed preparatory to firing. 
OPERATION 
Assuming that the launcher 10 is holster stowed as illustrated in FIG. 5 
and contains a loaded round, the firing of the rocket from the launcher 10 
can be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6. After withdrawing the 
launcher 10 from the holster 40, and removing caps 26, the launcher is 
extended by rotating the after launch tube section 14 about hinge 16, and 
coupling tube sections 12 and 14 together with latch 54 and hasp 56. The 
forward and after blast shields 18 and 20 are then fully extended from 
launch tube sections 12 and 14 respectively, and the sights 28 and 32 are 
raised. Handgrip 24 is rotated to its locked position. The launcher 10 may 
then be aimed as a shoulder fired weapon. To fire the rocket, the safety 
64 is moved to the off position, and the trigger 86 squeezed while 
simultaneously depressing grip safety lever 68. A reload is accomplished 
by sliding the after blast shield 20 forward on after launch tube section 
14 so that a new rocket round 32 may be inserted in the after end of 
launch tube section 14. The firing circuit is interrupted by the movement 
of blast shield 20 until it is again fully extended. With the reload 
completed and the after blast shield 20 again extended, the launcher is 
ready for firing.