Patent ID: 8894007

Claim:
A system for launching an aircraft, comprising: a housing; a plurality of guide members mounted within the housing and comprising first engagement members; one or more springs; a launch member slidably movable along the guide members between cocked and released positions, the launch member comprising at least one thrust member adapted to engage the aircraft; a cocking mechanism slidably moveable along the guide members; a second engagement member attached to the cocking mechanism and engaging the first engagement member; a drive mechanism mounted on the housing and operable when driven to operate the first and second engagement members so as to draw the cocking mechanism against the launch member, drive the launch member along the guide members from the released to the cocked position, and energize the springs; a latch mechanism operable to latch the launch member in the cocked position; and a trigger mechanism operable when activated to release the latch mechanism so as to permit the springs to drive the launch member from the cocked to the released position.