Launch System for Group 3-5 Unmanned Areial Vehicles for Land- and Sea Based Operations

The overall goal of this SBIR Phase I project is to develop a concept to launch large Group 3-5 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) from the ESB Ship.  The launch system must be able to handle 6,000 lb fighter-form high-launch-speed LCAATs such as Valkyrie, but also be flexible and compatible enough to launch smaller (1000 lb) UAV of this general character.  In order not to interfere with ESB manned flight operations on its flight deck, over-the-side operation, away from the flight deck, is strongly preferred.  The system must also stow within the confines of the ESB hull shape when not in use and support a rapid UAV launch tempo.  ATR proposed a Modular Kinetic Launch System (MKLS) to meet these challenges.  The system uses a linear rail supported by a truss that is angled off the port side of the ESB when deployed.  A cable pulls a launch carriage with the UAV along the track to achieve the necessary launch velocity.