Aerodynamic Rotating 2.75 Inch Low-Drag Lightweight Launcher

The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) system has added laser guidance and precision strike capabilities to the already highly effective and proven Hydra 70 system. The relative low weight and low cost of the APKWS driven Hydra 70 system makes it an ideal choice for manned and unmanned aircraft. A reduction in aerodynamic drag of the launching system could significantly increase aircraft forward airspeed and flight endurance, especially for unmanned aircraft. The Phase I effort will focus on demonstrating the feasibility of developing a set of low-drag, lightweight, aerodynamic rotating launchers for 2.75 inch rockets and the APKWS weapon system. These launchers will be developed using technology that can substantially decrease aerodynamic drag. The launchers will also be constructed using advanced composite materials that can substantially decrease weight and increase service life. The Phase I effort will include aerodynamic analysis through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and proof-of-principle demonstration through the fabrication and laboratory testing of a full-scale prototype launch tube. The Phase II effort will include the fabrication and demonstration of the proposed launcher designs through physical live tests of prototype launcher assemblies.