Missile launch apparatus

摘要

A deployment mechanism for shielding and deploying an optical fibre (14) on the launch of a missile (10) incorporating a rigid, elongate guide (30) running along the outer surface of the missile (10) and to which a portion of the fibre is releasably attached. An end of the fibre is attached to an anchorage point 18 on the launch tube. On launch, the fibre (14) peels away from the guide without sustaining any excessive load before the remaining fibre (14) pays out from a spool (12) mounted within the missile (10).