Low Energy Aircraft Launch Assist Device

It is proposed to develop an electromagnetic launch assist system for short takeoff aircraft. The Phase I program will perform a detailed technology assessment and evaluation Of multiple alternative launch systems. These systems will be generated by a thorough and objective analysis of performance requirements. The comparison of systems is an important step in the launch-assist system development and is heavily emphasized here. A complete conceptual system design will also be performed in the baseline program. An optional task is an intensive analysis of the conceptual design. This work effort will be required eventually and is included here to smooth the transition between Phase I and Phase II. Performance characteristics of the proposed system include the ability to launch all applicable aircraft. Specifically, approximately 5-60 million foot-pounds of energy must be transferred to the mass of the aircraft payload of 0-75 kips traveling at between 55-200 knots.