Systems and Methods for Launching Munitions

Abstract

Systems and methods for launching munitions are provided. In some embodiments, the system may include a cover for use with a munitions launcher including a housing with a face. The cover may include a lid, a defined passage through the lid, and an actuator. The lid may be configured to mount to the face of the munitions launcher. The defined passage through the lid may be sized to allow a munition to pass through the lid when launched by the launcher and to substantially cover any other munitions disposed at least partially within the munitions launcher. The actuator may be configured to operate the lid in a manner that moves the defined passage in relation to the face of the munitions launcher. Movement of the defined passage in relation to the face of the munitions launcher may uncover at least one munition that was substantially covered prior to the movement of the defined passage and substantially cover any other munitions disposed at least partially within the munitions launcher.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A cover for use with a munitions launcher including a housing with a face, the cover comprising:
 a lid configured to mount to the face of the munitions launcher;   a defined passage through the lid, the passage sized to allow a munition to pass through the lid when launched by the launcher and to substantially cover any other munitions disposed at least partially within the munitions launcher; and   a actuator configured to operate the lid in a manner that moves the defined passage in relation to the face of the munitions launcher;   wherein movement of the defined passage in relation to the face of the munitions launcher uncovers at least one munition that was substantially covered prior to the movement of the defined passage and substantially covers any other munitions disposed at least partially within the munitions launcher.   
     
     
         2 . A cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid includes a plate having a substantially equivalent shape of the face of the housing of the munitions launcher. 
     
     
         3 . A cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the defined passage includes a hole passing through the lid, the hole having a diameter substantially equivalent to a diameter of a tube in the housing of the munitions launcher. 
     
     
         4 . A cover according to  claim 1 , further comprising the lid mounted to a rotor of a motor. 
     
     
         5 . A cover according to  claim 1 , further comprising the lid mounted to a perimeter of the face of the housing of the munitions launcher. 
     
     
         6 . A launcher for launching munitions, the launcher comprising:
 a housing having a face through which munitions pass when launched;   at least two tubes disposed at least partially within the housing, the at least two tubes configured to hold munitions for transportation;   circuitry providing electrical communication with munitions present within the at least two tubes;   a lid configured to mount to the face of the munitions launcher;   a defined passage through the lid, the passage sized to allow a munition launched from a first tube to pass through the lid when launched by the launcher and to substantially cover any other munitions disposed in a second tube; and   an actuator configured to operate the lid in a manner that moves the defined passage in relation to the face of the munitions launcher;   wherein movement of the defined passage in relation to the face of the munitions launcher uncovers a munition held in the second tube and substantially covers the first tube.   
     
     
         7 . A launcher according to  claim 6 , further comprising the launcher configured to mount to a vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . A launcher according to  claim 6 , further comprising the launcher configured to mount to a vehicle and wherein the vehicle comprises an aircraft vehicle, a land vehicle, or a watercraft vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . A launcher according to  claim 6 , wherein the munition is a precision-guided munition (PGM), a smart bomb, a smart weapon, a guided bomb unit (GBU), a guided missile or a smart rocket. 
     
     
         10 . A launcher according to  claim 6 , wherein the lid includes a plate having a shape substantially equivalent to a shape of the face of the housing of the munitions launcher. 
     
     
         11 . A launcher according to  claim 6 , wherein the defined passage includes a hole passing through the lid, the hole having a diameter substantially equivalent to a diameter of the at least two tubes. 
     
     
         12 . A launcher according to  claim 6 , further comprising the lid mounted to a rotor of a motor. 
     
     
         13 . A launcher according to  claim 6 , further comprising the lid mounted to a perimeter of the face of the housing of the munitions launcher. 
     
     
         14 . A system for launching munitions from a vehicle, the system comprising:
 a housing having a face through which munitions pass when launched;   the housing coupled to a vehicle and configured to retain at least two munitions during transport by the vehicle;   couplings providing mechanical connection between the vehicle and the housing and electrical connectivity between the vehicle and the housing;   the couplings configured to route electrical signals from the vehicle to the at least two munitions;   tubes disposed at least partially within the housing, the tubes configured to hold the at least two munitions for transportation;   a lid configured to mount to the face of the housing;   a defined passage through the lid, the passage sized to allow a munition launched from a first tube to pass through the lid when launched by the launcher and to substantially cover any other munitions disposed in a second tube; and   an actuator configured to operate the lid in a manner that moves the defined passage in relation to the face of the housing;   wherein movement of the defined passage in relation to the face of the munitions launcher uncovers a munition held in the second tube and substantially covers the first tube.   
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 14 , wherein the vehicle comprises an aircraft vehicle, a land vehicle, or a watercraft vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 14 , wherein the munition is a precision-guided munition (PGM), a smart bomb, a smart weapon, a guided bomb unit (GBU), a guided missile or a smart rocket.