Weapon interface system and delivery platform employing the same

Abstract

A weapon interface system, and methods of operating the same. The weapon interface system is coupled to an electrical interconnection system of a delivery platform and a weapon system coupled to a rack system. The weapon interface system includes a translation interface configured to provide an interface between the electrical interconnection system and an inductive power and data circuit. The weapon interface system also includes a weapon coupler, coupled to the translation interface, configured to provide an inductive coupling to the weapon system to provide mission information thereto.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A weapon system, comprising:
 a rack system coupled to an electrical interconnection system of a delivery platform and including an adapter; and   a weapon interface system, coupled to said adapter and extending along a cannister, configured to provide power and data from said electrical interconnection system to said cannister via an inductive coupler of said weapon interface system.   
     
     
         2 . The weapon system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said weapon interface system is configured to deliver said power and said data from said electrical interconnection system to a weapon within and via said cannister. 
     
     
         3 . The weapon system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said weapon interface system is configured to deliver said power and said data from said electrical interconnection system to a plurality of weapons within and via said cannister. 
     
     
         4 . The weapon system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said weapon interface system extends coaxially about said canister. 
     
     
         5 . The weapon system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said weapon interface system is formed from a flexible and substantially planar material and located within said adapter of said rack system. 
     
     
         6 . The weapon system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said weapon interface system comprises a weapon interface, an inductive coil, a shield, and a protection layer. 
     
     
         7 . The weapon system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said weapon interface system comprises a weapon interface, an inductive coil, a spacer, and a spring steel layer. 
     
     
         8 . The weapon system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said weapon interface system comprises a weapon interface, an inductive coil, a primary structure, a shield, and a protection layer. 
     
     
         9 . The weapon system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said weapon interface system is formed from a polycarbonate material. 
     
     
         10 . The weapon system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said data comprises mission information. 
     
     
         11 . A method of operating a weapon system, comprising:
 providing a rack system coupled to an electrical interconnection system of a delivery platform and including an adapter; and   delivering power and data from said electrical interconnection system to a cannister via an inductive coupler of a weapon interface system coupled to said adapter and extending along said cannister.   
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein said delivering comprises delivering said power and said data from said electrical interconnection system to a weapon within and via said cannister. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein said delivering comprises delivering said power and said data from said electrical interconnection system to a plurality of weapons within and via said cannister. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein said weapon interface system extends coaxially about said canister. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein said weapon interface system is formed from a flexible and substantially planar material and located within said adapter of said rack system. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein said weapon interface system comprises a weapon interface, an inductive coil, a shield, and a protection layer. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein said weapon interface system comprises a weapon interface, an inductive coil, a spacer, and a spring steel layer. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein said weapon interface system comprises a weapon interface, an inductive coil, a primary structure, a shield, and a protection layer. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein said weapon interface system is formed from a polycarbonate material. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein said data comprises mission information.