A man-portable unmanned aerial system launcher, comprising: a rail assembly extending from a first end to a second end and including one or more launch rails (120, 160), wherein the rail assembly includes an internal track; a carriage assembly including: a base configured to translate within the internal track of the rail assembly between a launch-ready position adjacent the first end of the rail assembly and a launch position adjacent the second end of the rail assembly; a cradle configured to support a UAS; and a bracket (260, 270) configured to support the cradle above the base; a launch control system secured to the rail assembly and configured to secure the carriage assembly in the launch-ready position until the launch control system receives a launch signal directing the launch control system to release the carriage assembly; and one or more elastic members having a first end configured to engage the carriage assembly and a second end configured to engage the rail assembly, said one or more elastic members being configured such that once the carriage assembly is translated to the launch-ready position, strain can be applied to the carriage assembly by the one or more elastic members, wherein the release of the carriage assembly by the launch control system enables force generated by strain of the one or more elastic members to propel the carriage assembly toward the launch position; wherein the carriage assembly is configured to be translated to the launch-ready position before the one or more elastic members are coupled to engage the carriage assembly and the rail assembly, and wherein the one or more elastic members are coupled to engage the carriage assembly and the rail assembly after the carriage assembly is secured in the launch-ready position. a rail assembly extending from a first end to a second end and including one or more launch rails (120, 160), wherein the rail assembly includes an internal track; a carriage assembly including: a base configured to translate within the internal track of the rail assembly between a launch-ready position adjacent the first end of the rail assembly and a launch position adjacent the second end of the rail assembly; a cradle configured to support a UAS; and a bracket (260, 270) configured to support the cradle above the base; a base configured to translate within the internal track of the rail assembly between a launch-ready position adjacent the first end of the rail assembly and a launch position adjacent the second end of the rail assembly; a cradle configured to support a UAS; and a bracket (260, 270) configured to support the cradle above the base; a launch control system secured to the rail assembly and configured to secure the carriage assembly in the launch-ready position until the launch control system receives a launch signal directing the launch control system to release the carriage assembly; and one or more elastic members having a first end configured to engage the carriage assembly and a second end configured to engage the rail assembly, said one or more elastic members being configured such that once the carriage assembly is translated to the launch-ready position, strain can be applied to the carriage assembly by the one or more elastic members, wherein the release of the carriage assembly by the launch control system enables force generated by strain of the one or more elastic members to propel the carriage assembly toward the launch position; wherein the carriage assembly is configured to be translated to the launch-ready position before the one or more elastic members are coupled to engage the carriage assembly and the rail assembly, and wherein the one or more elastic members are coupled to engage the carriage assembly and the rail assembly after the carriage assembly is secured in the launch-ready position.