Patent ID: 7093799

Claim:
A guided missile having an airframe, said airframe defining a longitudinal axis, and a jettisonable protective cap being attached to a leading end of said airframe for protection of operative components arranged in said airframe, wherein said protective cap is longitudinally divided into at least two parts which, together, extend circumferentially through an angle of 360° about said longitudinal axis, each said part extending through an angle of not more than 180°, said at least two parts being interconnectable by connecting means, means for releasing said connecting means; said two parts together and said airframe defining a form-fitting interlocking structure along the airframe-side edge of said protective cap means only upon said two parts being in an interconnected condition, said protective cap having an opening located substantially on said longitudinal axis, said opening facilitating a dynamic pressure to be built up within said protective cap for a sideways detachment from said guided missile coupled by a release of said form-fitting interlocking structure responsive to the build up of said dynamic pressure during flight of said guided missile.