Inventors:
Richard L. Ranes - Simi Valley CA
Assignee:
Northrop Corporation - Hawthorne CA
International Classification:
F42B 1510
Abstract:
An unmanned air vehicle system which is intended for launch from a platform such as an aircraft or a ship and to follow other than a ballistic trajectory includes a pair of substantially similar air vehicles in a tandem relationship. A unitary tubular airframe is provided coextensive with both air vehicles. The nose of a second air vehicle is nested in the tail member of a first air vehicle. A rocket booster is mounted in the tail of the second air vehicle and ignited for launch of both air vehicles as a unit. Thereafter, a pyrotechnic separating mechanism is actuated for bisecting the tubular airframe intermediate the tail member of the first air vehicle and the nose of the second air vehicle. Following separation, each air vehicle has a gas turbine engine which is ignited for powering its associated air vehicle to its destination. Electrical connections from the launch platform to the vehicle system are made to the first air vehicle and the second air vehicle is, in turn, electrically connected to the first.
