Process for launching a cruise missile from an aircraft

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9897413-B1
Application number	US-201615216966-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Jul 22, 2016
Priority date	Jul 22, 2016
Publication date	Feb 20, 2018
Grant date	Feb 20, 2018

Abstract

A process for starting an engine in a cruise missile that is launched from an aircraft during flight, where the cruise missile is ejected from a weapons bay of the aircraft and towed using a tow line, where the cruise missile engine is started while being towed and then released after the engine has started. The tow line is a low radar signature line and the weapons bay door is closed quickly after the cruise missile has been ejected to reduce radar signatures.

First claim

I claim the following:

1. A process for starting a gas turbine engine in a cruise missile from an aircraft in flight comprising the steps of: securing a cruise missile within a weapons bay of an aircraft; ejecting the cruise missile from the weapons bay of the aircraft during flight; towing the cruise missile with a tow line from the aircraft during flight; starting the gas turbine engine of the cruise missile while being towed by the aircraft; and, releasing the cruise missile from the tow line after the gas turbine engine has started.

2. The process for starting a gas turbine engine in a cruise missile of claim 1 , and further comprising the step of: after the cruise missile has been ejected from the weapons bay, closing the weapons bay door so as to reduce any radar signature.

3. The process for starting a gas turbine engine in a cruise missile of claim 1 , and further comprising the step of: using a tow line with a radar absorbent material.

4. The process for starting a gas turbine engine in a cruise missile of claim 1 , and further comprising the step of: using an opening in a weapons bay door so that the tow line can extend out from the weapons bay door while the weapons bay door is closed.

5. The process for starting a gas turbine engine in a cruise missile of claim 1 , and further comprising the step of: reeling in the tow line after the cruise missile has been released.

6. The process for starting a gas turbine engine in a cruise missile of claim 1 , and further comprising the step of: the tow line is released from the weapons bay after the cruise missile has been released from the tow line.

7. The process for starting a gas turbine engine in a cruise missile of claim 1 , and further comprising the step of: using a stealth aircraft as the aircraft that releases the cruise missile to reduce a radar signature.

8. The process for starting a gas turbine engine in a cruise missile of claim 1 , and further comprising the step of: using a stealth aircraft and a stealth cruise missile to reduce a radar signature.

Assignees

• Orosa John A
• Florida Turbine Tech Inc

Inventors

• Orosa John A

Classifications

• B64D1/06

  Bomb releasing; Bomb doors · CPC title

• F41H3/00

  Camouflage, i.e. means or methods for concealment or disguise (for vessels B63G8/34, B63G13/02 {; sound camouflage, i.e. simulating gun fire noise, F41A33/04; dummy or decoy targets F41J; chaff per se F41J2/00; ammunition for dispensing chaff F42B5/15, F42B12/70; radar absorbing fabrics H01Q17/005}) · CPC title

• F41F3/055 Primary

  Umbilical connecting means {(means for facilitating disengagement of electric line connector coupling parts in general H01R13/633)} · CPC title

• B64D3/00

  Aircraft adaptations to facilitate towing or being towed · CPC title