System and apparatus for launching a missile

Abstract

A launch apparatus for launching a missile includes a launching tube extending in a longitudinal direction. The launching tube has an outlet opening at a first end. An acceleration device arranged in the region of a second end of the launching tube includes a gas generator to generate a gas mass flow, and a bag formed from a textile fabric. The bag is coupled to a diffuser of the gas generator via an end opening and inflates longitudinally by the gas mass flow generated by the gas generator to accelerate the missile. The bag has a gas permeability within a range of between 10 l dm−2 min−1 and 30 l dm−2 min−1. When inflated, a cross section of the bag alternatively or additionally tapers from the end opening to a minimal cross section along the longitudinal direction and increases in size to an end opposite the end opening.

1 . Launch apparatus ( 1 ) for launching a missile (F), having:
 a launching tube ( 10 ) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) for accommodating the missile (F), which launching tube has an outlet opening ( 11 ) at a first end ( 10 A); and   an acceleration device ( 2 ) that is arranged in the region of a second end ( 10 B) of the launching tube ( 10 ) and has a gas generator ( 20 ) that can be activated to generate a gas mass flow, and a bag ( 21 ) formed from a textile fabric, which bag is coupled to a diffuser ( 22 ) of the gas generator ( 20 ) via an end opening ( 21 A) and can be inflated along the longitudinal direction (L) by the gas mass flow that can be generated by means of the gas generator ( 20 ) to accelerate the missile (F), the bag ( 21 ) being gas permeable within a range of between 10 l dm −2  min −1  and 301 dm −2  min −1 .   
     
     
         2 . Launch apparatus ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the textile fabric of the bag ( 21 ) defines the gas permeability within a range of between 10 l dm −2  min −1  and 30 l dm −2  min −1 . 
     
     
         3 . Launch apparatus ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the bag ( 21 ) has one or a plurality of ventilation openings ( 23 ) that define the gas permeability within a range of between 10 l dm −2  min −1  and 30 l dm −2  min −1 . 
     
     
         4 . Launch apparatus ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that, in an inflated state, a cross section (d 21 ) of the bag ( 21 ) tapers from the end opening ( 21 A) to a minimal cross section along the longitudinal direction (L) and increases in size again to an end ( 21 B) opposite the end opening ( 21 A). 
     
     
         5 . Launch apparatus ( 1 ) for a missile (F), having:
 a launching tube extending in a longitudinal direction (L) for accommodating the missile (F), which launching tube has an outlet opening ( 11 ) at a first end ( 10 A); and   an acceleration device ( 2 ) that is arranged in the region of a second end ( 10 B) of the launching tube ( 10 ) and has a gas generator ( 20 ) that can be activated to generate a gas mass flow, and a bag ( 21 ) formed from a textile fabric, which bag is coupled to a diffuser ( 22 ) of the gas generator ( 20 ) via an end opening ( 21 A) and can be inflated along the longitudinal direction (L) by the gas mass flow that can be generated by means of the gas generator ( 20 ) to accelerate the missile (F), characterised in that, in an inflated state, a cross section (d 21 ) of the bag ( 21 ) tapers from the end opening ( 21 A) to a minimal cross section along the longitudinal direction (L) and increases in size again to an end ( 21 B) opposite the end opening ( 21 A).   
     
     
         6 . Launch apparatus ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , characterised in that, in an inflated state, the bag ( 21 ) has the shape of a hyperboloid. 
     
     
         7 . Launch apparatus ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , additionally having:
 a plate ( 27 ) sewn into a pocket ( 25 ) of the bag, the pocket ( 25 ) being formed at an end ( 21 B) of the bag ( 21 ) opposite the end opening ( 21 A).   
     
     
         8 . Launch apparatus ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the acceleration device has a control module ( 3 ) connected to the gas generator ( 20 ), which control module has a first communication interface ( 31 ) for receiving control signals and a control device ( 30 ) connected to the first communication interface ( 31 ), which control device is arranged to generate an activation signal for activating the gas generator ( 20 ) based on the control signals. 
     
     
         9 . Launch apparatus ( 1 ) according to  claim 8 , characterised in that the launching tube ( 10 ) is formed from a carbon fibre-reinforced plastics material, and in that the first communication interface ( 31 ) is formed by an antenna ( 13 ) integrated into an outer surface ( 10   e ) of the launching tube ( 10 ) or connected thereto. 
     
     
         10 . Launch apparatus ( 1 ) according to  claim 8 , characterised in that the control module ( 3 ) is coupled to the gas generator ( 20 ) in a mechanically detachable manner. 
     
     
         11 . Acceleration device ( 2 ) for a launch apparatus ( 1 ) for launching a missile (F), having:
 a gas generator ( 20 ) that can be activated to generate a gas mass flow;   a bag formed from a textile fabric, which bag is coupled to a diffuser ( 22 ) of the gas generator ( 20 ) via an end opening ( 21 A) and can be inflated by means of the gas mass flow that can be generated by means of the gas generator ( 20 ) to accelerate the missile (F) along the longitudinal direction (L); and   a control module ( 3 ) connected to the gas generator ( 20 ) in a mechanically detachable manner, which control module has a first communication interface ( 31 ) for receiving control signals and a control device ( 30 ) connected to the first communication interface ( 31 ), which control device is arranged to generate an activation signal for activating the gas generator ( 20 ) based on the control signals.   
     
     
         12 . Launch system ( 100 ) for launching a missile (F), having:
 a launch apparatus ( 1 ) according to  claim 8 ; and   an operating device ( 110 ) having an operating interface ( 111 ), a signal generating device ( 112 ) connected to the operating interface ( 111 ) for generating control signals, and a second communication interface ( 113 ) that is arranged to transmit signals to the first communication interface ( 31 ).