Rotary launcher system for an aircraft

摘要

The invention is a rotary launcher system for an aircraft having a weapon bay with an opening in communication with the exterior of the aircraft. The system comprises a plurality of doors which are mounted to the aircraft and movable from an open position to a closed position. In the closed position the doors seal off part of the opening and form a portion of the external contour of the aircraft. The rotary launcher is mounted within the weapon bay which includes a frame member rotatively mounted therein. A plurality of weapon mounting assemblies are attached to the frame member at discrete locations and are sequentially alignable with the opening upon rotation of the frame member. Barrier assemblies are mounted to the frame member, which cooperate with the plurality of doors, sealing off the weapon bay from the exterior of the aircraft when any one of the plurality of assemblies is aligned with the opening. Preferably, this system includes at least one cover assembly mounted to the rotary launcher for covering the remaining portion of the opening when at least one of the plurality of missile mounting assemblies is aligned with the opening. The rotary launcher cooperates with the plurality of doors to form a portion of the external contour extending completely over the opening.