Patent ID: 7690289

Claim:
A missile launcher, comprising: a forward support for supporting a forward portion of a missile fuselage prior to and during an initial period of a launch of the missile, wherein the at least one forward support comprises at least one roll member being in the shape of a segment of a circle and pivoted at the circle center, and wherein the perimeter surface of the at least one roll member is arranged to make frictional contact with the forward portion of the missile fuselage in order to confer mechanical energy to the at least one roll member to make the roll member swing clear of the missile fuselage during the initial period of the launch of the missile, and an aft support for supporting an aft portion of the missile fuselage prior to and during an initial period of a launch of the missile, wherein the at least one forward support is arranged to swing clear of the missile as the aft portion of the missile clears the aft support during the initial period of the launch.