SYSTEM FOR CARRYING AND DROPPING LOADS FOR A TRANSPORT AIRPLANE

• US 20120251280A1
• Filed: 12/13/2010
• Published: 10/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mbda France (MBDA)
• Original Assignee: Mbda France (MBDA)
• Inventors: Michaud, Frédéric, Jaurand, Benoit
• Granted Patent: US 8,979,029 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/507
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/10 Stowage arrangements for the devices in aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/12 Releasing
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/20 for releasing or capturing UAVs in flight by another aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/82 Airborne vehicles

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system for carrying and dropping ammunition for a transport airplane. The system includes a container which contains at least one load, in particular ammunition, which is capable of being brought into a drop position, in which a portion is located outside the airplane, and from which a load can be dropped, usually by simply releasing said load.

Claims

1. A load carrying and dropping system for a transport plane, said system comprising at least one container being arranged in a cargo compartment of the transport plane and sized and shaped to receive at least one load being mounted within said container through sliding means,

wherein said container is arranged within said cargo compartment so as to be movable longitudinally with the help of moving means and to be brought from one position to an other position of the following positions:

one carrying position, wherein it is completely located inside the cargo compartment and supports said load; and

one dropping position, wherein it is offset longitudinally toward the back of the aircraft with respect to said carrying position so that a dropping part of said container, is then located outside the transport plane through an opening at the back of the cargo compartment, and

said sliding means are formed so as to be able to bring said load which is located in said container in said dropping part, where it can be dropped when said container is in said dropping position.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said sliding means comprise rails fastened on the container and provided with an ejection device being able to slide on said rails and to support the load upon carrying and to release it upon dropping.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said container comprises a cage provided with compartments able to receive a plurality of loads.

4. The system according to f claim 2, wherein the rails are fastened on the internal sides of the container.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising, for each load, dedicated sliding means.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a dropping control device to control said sliding means and the means for moving said container, wherein said control device is arranged in a pressurized area of the transport plane.

7. A transport plane comprising a load carrying and dropping system such as the one specified in claim 1.