Modular ammunition launching system comprising a support arm for extracting a munitions receiver box

Abstract

The Modular Launching System (1) comprises: - a chassis (2) defining at least one housing (6), - a munitions receiving box (4) movable relative to said chassis (2) between a functional position and a reloading position. The Modular Launching System comprises a coupling plate (24) integral with the receiving box (4) and mounted to slide on a first rail (26) integral with the chassis (2), said coupling plate (24) being movable on said first rail (26), said modular system comprising a support arm (30) extending outward from the chassis (2) and comprising a second rail (28) extending in line with the first rail (26), said coupling plate (24) being movable on said second rail (28) between the intermediate position and the reloading position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular ammunition launching system, of the type comprising: at least one chassis defining at least one housing, at least one ammunition receiving box, said receiving box being movable relative to said chassis between a functional position, in which the receiving box is received in the housing, and a reloading position, in which the receiving box extends outside the housing.

[0002] The invention also relates to a naval platform comprising at least one such modular munitions launching system.

[0003] Such modular munitions launching systems are typically mounted on a vessel, such as a naval platform or a vehicle, and are configured to allow the launch of different types of munitions in order to adapt the vessel's or vehicle's response to a threat or its environment. For example, such modular launching systems are suitable for the selective launch of rockets, missiles, or even attack and / or observation aircraft, such as drones.

[0004] To this end, a modular launching system includes at least one ammunition receiving box mounted removably on a chassis between a functional position, in which ammunition can be fired by the modular system, and a reloading position, in which the receiving box is removed from the chassis to be reloaded with ammunition or to be replaced by another receiving box when the type of ammunition fired needs to be changed.

[0005] To allow for reloading or replacing an ammunition receiving pod, it is planned to remove it from its housing by separating it from the chassis using a gripping tool, such as a crane, and then move it away from the chassis into a position that allows for loading ammunition into the receiving pod in the case of reloading, or for storing the receiving pod when it is being replaced. Once reloading or replacement is complete, the gripping tool is used to pick up the reloading pod or a new receiving pod and place it in its housing. The reloading and / or replacement operation is therefore cumbersome and increases the downtime of the modular launch system.

[0006] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by offering a modular launching system whose downtime is reduced during a reloading and / or replacement operation of an ammunition receiving container.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a modular launching system of the aforementioned type, comprising at least one coupling plate attached to the receiving box and mounted to slide on a first rail attached to the chassis and extending in a longitudinal direction, said coupling plate being movable on said first rail between the functional position and an intermediate position between the functional position and the reloading position, said modular system further comprising a support arm extending outward from the chassis in the longitudinal direction out of the housing in an active position of the support arm, said support arm comprising a second rail extending in line with the first rail in the longitudinal direction, said coupling plate being movable on said second rail between the intermediate position and the reloading position.

[0008] The support arm allows the receiving crate to be easily positioned for reloading without the need for complex gripping tools. Furthermore, during reloading, it is not necessary to separate the receiving crate from the chassis. The receiving crate can simply be moved along the rail to be removed from the housing and held out of the housing in the reloading position. The accessibility of the receiving crate in this position also allows for easy separation from the chassis when it needs to be replaced. In addition, the continuity of the first and second rails facilitates the placement of the receiving crate in the housing by ensuring proper alignment with the chassis, which is not possible with external gripping tools such as a crane.Reloading or replacement operations are greatly simplified and the time during which the modular launch system is immobilized for reloading or ammunition replacement operations is thus greatly reduced.

[0009] The modular launching system according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, considered alone or in any technically feasible combination: The support arm is removably mounted on the chassis between the active position and a rest position, in which the support arm is separated from the chassis; the support arm is movable relative to the chassis, between the active position and a rest position, in which the support arm is retracted around the housing; the coupling plate is movable on the first and second rails by means of a connecting element mounted on the coupling plate, said connecting element being fixed to a trolley movable in translation on the first and second rails; said connecting element is mounted on the coupling plate in a movable rotational manner about a reloading rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction when the receiving box is in the reloading position;the connection between the connecting element and the trolley is disengageable so as to allow separation of the receiving box from the chassis in the reloading position; the trolley is movable on the first and second rails by an actuable drive chain; the drive chain includes an intermediate link fixed to the trolley and being detachable from a part of the drive chain extending in the support arm, the intermediate link being detached from said part of the drive chain in the functional position so as to allow movement of the support arm between the active position and a rest position, in which the second rail does not extend in continuity with the first rail;The chassis defines a plurality of housings and a plurality of first rails, each housing receiving a receiving box in the functional position, the coupling plate of each receiving box being mounted to slide on one of said first rails between the functional position and the intermediate position, at least one support arm being positionable in the active position to place the second rail in continuity with one of the first rails and allow the movement of a receiving box into the reloading position.

[0010] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a naval platform comprising at least one modular munitions launching system as described above.

[0011] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Fig. 1 ] - there Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective representation of a modular ammunition launching system according to an embodiment of the invention, with the receiving pods in a functional position, [ Fig. 2 ] - there Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective representation of part of the modular launch system of the Fig. 1 , a receiving unit having been removed from the chassis, [ Fig. 3 ] - there Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective representation of a receiving pod of the modular launch system of the Fig. 1 , [ Fig. 4 ] - there Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective representation of part of the modular launch system of the Fig. 1 , during the first stage of moving a receiving unit from its functional position to a recharging position, [ Fig. 5 ] - there Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective representation of part of the modular launch system of the Fig. 1 , during a second stage of moving a receiving pod from the functional position to a recharging position, [ Fig. 6 ] - there Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective representation of the modular launch system of the Fig. 1 , with a receiving unit in the reloading position, [ Fig. 7 ] - there Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective representation of part of the modular launch system of the Fig. 1 , a receiving unit being in a different reloading position, [ Fig. 8 ] - there Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective representation of part of the modular launch system of the Fig. 1 , showing a detail of a support arm used to move a receiving pod between the functional and reloading positions, and [ Fig. 9 ] - there Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of part of the support arm of the Fig. 8 .

[0012] With reference to the Fig. 1 A modular munitions launch system 1 is described, comprising primarily a chassis 2 and at least one munitions receiving pod 4. Such a modular launch system 1 is, for example, installed on a naval platform, particularly one used for military purposes, such as a naval vessel, a warship, or the like. It is understood, however, that the modular system 1 is also suitable for installation on other types of platforms, such as a land-based military vehicle or a fixed naval or land-based vessel. Such a modular launch system 1 is designed to launch or fire munitions at a distance from the platform on which it is installed, including different types of munitions depending on the target(s) identified around the platform. These munitions include, for example, rockets, missiles, and other types of projectiles. They also include attack and / or observation aircraft, such as drones.To be effective, such a modular launch system 1 must therefore allow for rapid reloading and / or changing of fired ammunition.

[0013] Chassis 2 is arranged to receive receiver crate 4 so that the ammunition contained in receiver crate 4 can be fired when receiver crate 4 is received in chassis 2 in a functional position shown on the Fig. 1 , as will be described later. To this end, the chassis 2 defines at least one housing 6 accommodating the receiving unit 4 in the functional position, as shown in the Fig. 2 According to one embodiment, the chassis 2 is arranged to receive several receiving boxes 4 and thus defines as many housings 6.

[0014] The frame 2, for example, has a substantially parallelepiped shape and is delimited by a plurality of walls defining the housing(s) 6. More specifically, the frame 2 extends along a longitudinal direction L, corresponding to the length of the frame 2, a transverse direction T, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and corresponding to the width of the frame 2, and along an elevation direction Z, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T and corresponding to the height of the frame 2. The frame 2 is delimited by a lower wall 8 and an upper wall 10 separated from each other along the elevation direction Z, and by two side walls 12 separated from each other along the transverse direction T and connecting the lower wall 8 and the upper wall 10. According to one embodiment, a bottom wall 14 ( Fig. 2 ) closes the frame 2 at one longitudinal end thereof, the frame 2 being open at its other longitudinal end so as to provide access to the housing(s) 6. According to one embodiment, the frame 2 further comprises a central wall 16 parallel to the lower walls 8 and upper walls 10 and extending between the side walls 12 substantially at mid-height of the frame 2 so as to define one or more lower housings 6 between the lower wall 8 and the central wall 16 and one or more upper housings 6 between the central wall 16 and the upper wall 10.

[0015] When one or more receiving pods 4 are received in the corresponding housing(s) 6 in their functional position, the munitions can be fired from the open longitudinal end of the chassis 2. Advantageously, the firing direction of these munitions is adjustable relative to the platform on which the modular launching system 1 is installed. For this purpose, the modular launching system 1 includes, for example, a base 18 on which the chassis 2 is mounted in a movable rotational manner around an adjustment axis R1 extending along the transverse direction T. Such rotation makes it possible to adjust the firing direction along the elevation direction Z. In other words, this rotation makes it possible to adjust the firing angle of the munitions, for example, relative to the deck of the naval platform on which the modular launching system 1 is installed.In one embodiment, the base 18 is itself mounted to rotate about an orientation axis R2 extending along the elevation direction Z. This rotation allows the firing direction of the ammunition to be oriented transversely, i.e., to the right or left of the platform receiving the modular launching system 1. The base 18, for example, has the shape of a fork comprising two arms 20 spaced apart along the transverse direction T and receiving the chassis 2 between them. Each side wall 12 of the chassis 2 is articulated to one of the arms 20 about the adjustment rotation axis R1, and the arms 20 are mounted on a base 22 to rotate about the orientation axis R2, the base 22 being fixed to the platform receiving the modular launching system 1.

[0016] The ammunition receiving box 4 is designed to receive ammunition of a specific type, such as rockets or missiles as described previously. For this purpose, the receiving box 4 is box-shaped, for example, approximately parallelepiped-shaped, defining one or more firing channels (not shown). Each firing channel receives a piece of ammunition (not shown) ready for firing. When the receiving box 4 is in its functional position within a slot 6 in the chassis 2, the firing channel opens outwards from the modular launch system 1 at the open longitudinal end of the chassis 2. Reloading the receiving box 4 is accomplished by placing a piece of ammunition into each firing channel. It should be noted that, depending on the type of ammunition received in the receiving box, these can be inserted into the corresponding firing channels in different directions.Thus, some munitions are loaded, for example, "from the front," meaning by inserting the munitions through the muzzle of the firing channels, or "from the rear," meaning by inserting the munitions through the end of the firing channels opposite their muzzle. Some types of munitions may, alternatively, require loading from the side of the receiving hopper. In other words, each receiving hopper 4 has access to the firing channels adapted to the type of loading; that is to say, not all receiving hoppers 4 received in the chassis 2 are necessarily identical to one another, as the access to the firing channels, the shape, the dimensions, and the number of these firing channels can vary from one receiving hopper 4 to another.

[0017] According to the invention, each receiving box 4 includes a coupling plate 24 which is identical for all receiving boxes 4, regardless of the type of ammunition received by the receiving box 4.

[0018] As will be described in more detail later, such a coupling plate 24 forms an interface between the receiving pod 4 and the chassis 2 to allow the receiving pod 4 to be positioned in the functional position and extracted from a housing 6 for reloading or replacement. In one embodiment, the coupling plate is further arranged to provide at least one pairing between the receiving pod 4 and the chassis 2 when the receiving pod 4 is placed in the functional position. By providing such a coupling plate 24 that is identical for all receiving pods 4, each housing 6 can accommodate all types of receiving pods 4 regardless of the ammunition received by these receiving pods 4.

[0019] The coupling plate 24, for example, is mounted on an upper wall of the receiving box 4 and allows the receiving box 4 to be moved relative to the chassis 2 between a functional position and at least one reloading position, as will now be described. Since this movement is identical for all receiving boxes 4 and their corresponding housings 6, this description will be given for only one receiving box 4 and one housing 6 of the chassis 2.

[0020] In the functional position shown on the Figs. 1 , 2 And 4The receiving chamber 4 is received in the housing 6 of the chassis 2. "Received in" means that the receiving chamber 4 extends primarily within the housing 6 along the longitudinal direction L. In one embodiment, the receiving chamber 4 extends entirely inside the housing 6 in the functional position. Alternatively, a portion of the receiving chamber 4 extends outside the housing 6 in the functional position; that is, the mouth of the firing channels of the receiving chamber 4 protrudes from the housing 6 along the longitudinal direction L. In the functional position, the ammunition received in the receiving chamber 4 is ready for firing, notably due to the coupling between the coupling plate 24 and the chassis 2, as will be described later.

[0021] In the reloading position shown on the Figs. 5 à 7 , the receiving box 4 extends out of the housing 6 in the longitudinal direction L. In this position and as will be described in more detail later, the receiving box 4 is accessible to one or more operators to be reloaded with ammunition and / or to be separated from the chassis 2 to be replaced by another receiving box, containing for example another type of ammunition.

[0022] The receiving box 4 is moved between the functional position and the reloading position by sliding the coupling plate 24 along a rail extending in the longitudinal direction L into and out of the housing 6. The rail is formed more specifically by a first rail 26 extending into the housing 6 and by a second rail 28 extending in continuity with the first rail 26 in the longitudinal direction L out of the housing 6 on the side of the open longitudinal end of the chassis 2.

[0023] For a housing 6 extending between the central wall 16 and the upper wall 10, the first rail 26 is, for example, mounted on the upper wall 10 inside the housing 6. For a housing 6 extending between the lower wall 8 and the central wall 16, the first rail 26 is, for example, mounted on the central wall 16 inside the housing 6. The first rail 26 extends between a first end 29, extending into the housing 6 between the bottom wall 14 of the housing 6 and its open longitudinal end, and a second end 32 extending to the open longitudinal end of the housing 6, as shown in the Fig. 2 .

[0024] The second rail 28 is carried by a support arm 30 which can be placed in an active position projecting from the chassis 2 in the longitudinal direction L out of the housing 6, as shown in the Figs. 4 à 8 The second rail 28 extends between a first end 34, adjacent to the second end 32 of the first rail 26 in the active position of the support arm 30, and a second end 36, away from the housing 6 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0025] In one embodiment, the support arm 30 is only placed in the active position during reloading and / or replacement of the receiving crate 4. In this embodiment, the support arm 30 is then mounted removably or movably between the active position described above and a rest position, in which the second rail 28 does not extend continuously from the first rail 26. In this embodiment, the support arm 30 is removably mounted on the chassis 2 in the active position and is removed from the chassis 30 when not in use to allow the receiving crate to be moved to the reloading position, as shown in the Fig. 1 In this case, the support arm 30 includes, for example, a connecting element 31 removably received in a recess 33 provided above the first rail 26 in the direction of elevation. The interaction between the connecting element 31 and the recess 33 allows the support arm 30 to be fixed to the chassis 2 by placing the second rail 28 in line with the first rail 26, as shown in the diagram. Fig. 4 In the rest position, the support arm 30 can be stored in a designated compartment, for example, in one of the arms 20 of the base 18. This embodiment allows the same support arm 30 to be used for reloading or replacing all the receiver boxes 4 of the modular launch system 1 by placing the support arm 30 above the desired housing 6 in the active position. Alternatively, the support arm 30 is, for example, a telescopic arm that can be retracted into the chassis 2 in the rest position. The ability to move the support arm 30 to a rest position in which it does not extend beyond the chassis 2 ensures that it does not interfere with the chassis's movement when it is moved to aim the projectiles, particularly when the chassis 2 is moved around the orientation rotation axis R2.

[0026] The coupling plate 24 is mounted to slide on the rail by means of a connecting element 38 mounted on the coupling plate 24 and fixed to a trolley 40 that moves in translation on the rail ( Figs. 8 And 9 ).

[0027] In the functional position, the connecting element 38 extends to the first end 29 of the first rail 26 so that the receiving box 4 is received in the housing 6. In the reloading position, the connecting element 38 extends to the second end 36 of the second rail 28 so that the receiving box 4 is fully extracted from the housing 6 and extends outside of it. Between these positions, the connecting element 38 and the receiving box 4 pass through an intermediate position, in which the connecting element 38 extends to the second end 32 of the first rail 26. In the intermediate position, the connecting element 38 and the trolley 40 can move from the first rail 26 to the second rail 28 when the receiving box 4 is moved to the reloading position and from the second rail 28 to the first rail 26 when the receiving box 4 is moved to the functional position.

[0028] In one embodiment, the movement of the receiving crate 4 along the rail is driven by an actuated drive chain 42 attached to the trolley 40. The drive chain 42 comprises, for example, a plurality of links 44 articulated to one another, one end link of which is fixed to the trolley 40. The drive chain 42 extends, for example, within the support arm 30, and its actuation causes the trolley 40 to move along the rail between the functional and reloading positions. The length of the drive chain 42 is specifically arranged to allow the trolley 40 to move along the entire length of the rail, that is, both in the first rail 26 between the functional position and the intermediate position, and in the second rail 28 between the intermediate position and the reloading position.For this purpose, the length of drive chain 42 is for example stored in a path 45 extending into the support arm 30 and opening into the second rail 28, as seen on the . Figs. 6 à 8 The drive chain 42 unwinds from the track when the carriage 40 moves to the working position and retracts into the track 45 when the carriage 40 moves to the reloading position. The drive chain 42 is actuated, for example, by means of an actuating tool, such as a screwdriver, from outside the support arm 30; the rotation of the screwdriver head causes the drive chain 42 to move within the track 45 and the rail.

[0029] It should be noted that, in the functional position, a portion of the drive chain 42 extending between the end link fixed to the carriage 40 and an intermediate link extends into the first rail 26, while the remainder of the chain 42 extends into the second rail 28 and possibly into the track 45. Advantageously, the intermediate link is detachably connected to the remainder of the drive chain 42 extending into the second rail 28, so that the portion of the drive chain 42 extending into the first rail 26 can be separated from the remainder of the drive chain 42 by detaching the intermediate link from the rest of the drive chain 42. This allows the support arm 30 to be moved out of its active position when it is not in use during reloading and / or replacement operations, as will be described in more detail later.When the support arm 30 is used and the receiving box 4 needs to be moved to the reloading position, the intermediate link can be attached to the rest of the drive chain 42 to allow the movement of the trolley 40 to the second end 36 of the second rail 28. Such detachment and reattachment can be carried out simply and quickly by providing a "quick-attach" type link as the intermediate link.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the coupling plate 24 is movable in rotation about a reloading rotation axis R3 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction with respect to the rail when the receiving box 4 is in the reloading position, as shown in the Fig. 7 The reloading rotation axis R3 extends along the elevation direction Z and allows the reloading pod 4 to be rotated relative to the chassis 2 when it is in the reloading position, i.e., when it is extracted from the housing 6. This rotation allows the receiving pod 4 to be positioned in a way that facilitates the introduction of ammunition into the receiving pod 4 without having to separate the receiving pod 4 from the rest of the modular launching system 1. Thus, regardless of the direction in which the receiving pod 4 is reloaded—i.e., from the front, from the rear, or from the side as described previously—the receiving pod 4 can be oriented relative to the chassis so that reloading by an operator is simple and does not require separating the receiving pod 4 from the support arm 30.The reloading operation thus does not require the use of a complex gripping tool, such as a crane, as is usually done, to extract the receiving box 4 from the housing 6 and to place it in a reloading area, often away from the modular launch system 1, given the limited space available around the modular launch system 1 when it is installed on a naval platform, in a position in which it can be reloaded by an operator and then to replace the receiving box 4 in the housing 6. This usual reloading procedure results in a long immobilization time of the modular launch system 1 whereas moving the receiving box 4 along the rail and rotating it into the reloading position greatly reduces this immobilization time, as will be described in more detail later.

[0031] To make the coupling plate 24 rotatable relative to the rail around the reloading rotation axis R3, the connecting element 38 is, for example, mounted rotatable around the reloading rotation axis R3 on the coupling plate 24, as shown in the Fig. 9 Thus, the coupling plate 24 can rotate around the connecting element 38 and therefore relative to the rail when the connecting element 38 is fixed to the trolley 40, as shown in the Fig. 9 .

[0032] According to one embodiment, the coupling plate 24 is capable of rotating relative to the chassis 2 only when the receiving box 4 is in the reloading position, whereas the receiving box 4 remains aligned along the longitudinal direction L with the housing 6 outside of this reloading position. For this purpose, the coupling plate 24 comprises, for example, a footprint 46, including a section 48 with a shape substantially complementary to the rail and an enlarged area 50 extending around the connecting element 38, the section 48 extending on either side of the enlarged area 50 along the longitudinal direction, as shown in the Fig. 3 Section 48 is arranged to guide the movement of the receiving pod along the rail between the functional position and the reloading position, the rail extending into this section 48 during this movement, as shown in the Fig. 5 In the reloading position, the second end 36 of the second rail 28 extends into the enlarged area 50 so as to allow the reloading crate to rotate relative to the rail, as shown in the Figs. 6 And 7 .

[0033] In order to remove the rail from the footprint 46 and allow this rotation, the chassis 2 can also be rotated around the adjustment rotation axis R1, as shown in the Figs. 6 And 7 , in order to bring the receiving pod 4 closer to the ground, for example to the deck of the platform on which the modular launch system 1 is installed. When the receiving pod is in the reloading position, this rotation of the chassis 2 around the adjustment rotation axis R1 allows the receiving pod 4 to be moved between a raised position ( Figs. 4 And 5 ) and an inclined position ( Figs. 6 And 7), in which the receiving box 4 is brought closer to the ground, or even placed on the ground, which simplifies access to the receiving box for an operator, as can be seen on the Fig. 6 Thus, rotation around the adjustment axis R1 allows an operator to access the receiving box, which is at a convenient height, for reloading or replacing the receiving box. The operator therefore does not need to climb scaffolding or other structures to access the receiving box 4, particularly when it is received in an upper housing 6 extending between the central wall 16 and the upper wall 10, nor does the operator need to use complex gripping tools to move the receiving box 4 to a reloading area.

[0034] In the raised position, the rail extends along section 48 as described previously, naturally orienting the receiving box 4 relative to the housing 6 so that it is in the desired orientation relative to the reloading rotation axis R3 when inserted into the housing 6. Thus, the interaction of the footprint 46 with the rail automatically aligns the receiving box 4 with the housing 6, eliminating the need for manual alignment by an operator, as is often the case when a lifting tool such as a crane is used. This greatly simplifies the operation of moving the receiving box 4 between the functional and reloading positions.

[0035] To allow the replacement of the receiving hopper 4 with another, particularly when the type of ammunition to be fired needs to be changed, the connection between the connecting element 38 and the trolley 40 is advantageously disengageable so that the receiving hopper 4 can be separated from the chassis 2 in the reloading position. This disengagement occurs, for example, when the chassis 2 is in the inclined position and the reloading hopper 4 is placed on the ground or on a transport device, allowing the receiving hopper 4 to be easily removed and replaced with another. Such a disengageable connection is achieved, for example, by a pin (not shown) inserted into corresponding holes in the connecting element 38 and the trolley 40, and which can be removed when the receiving hopper 4 is in the functional position.

[0036] As previously stated, when the receiving box 4 is moved to the functional position, the coupling plate 24 allows the receiving box 4 to be positioned in the housing 6 in the functional position and, according to one embodiment, to achieve at least one pairing between the receiving box 4 and the chassis 2 when the receiving box 4 is placed in the functional position.

[0037] To this end, the modular launch system 1 includes, for example, at least one pairing device comprising at least one first pairing element fixed to the chassis and at least one second pairing element fixed to the coupling plate 24. This pairing device is arranged so that moving the coupling plate 24 from the reloading position to the operational position results in the coupling of the first and second pairing elements in the operational position. In other words, the connection operation between the receiving pod 4 and the chassis 2 is performed automatically when the receiving pod 4 is moved to the operational position.

[0038] According to a first embodiment, the pairing device is configured to ensure electrical pairing between the receiving unit 4 and the chassis 2. In other words, the coupling between the first pairing element and the second pairing element results in an electrical connection between the receiving unit 4 and the chassis 2. This is achieved by implementing the first pairing element in the form of a first connector 52 ( Fig. 2 ) and the second pairing element in the form of a second connector 54 ( Fig. 3 The position of the first connector 52 on the chassis 2 and of the second connector 54 on the coupling plate is such that the second connector 54 receives the first connector 52 or is received into the first connector 52 when the receiving box 4 is moved into the functional position so as to ensure an electrical connection between the first connector 52 and the second connector 54. For this purpose, the first connector 52 is, for example, provided on the bottom wall 14 of the housing 6 on one side of the first rail 26 and the second connector 54 is provided at a longitudinal end of the coupling plate 24 so that, when the receiving box 4 is moved on the first rail 26 to the functional position, the second connector 54 comes to rest against the first connector 52 when the functional position is reached and the connection between these two connectors is made automatically.Such electrical pairing is particularly advantageous when the ammunition firing is initiated remotely from the modular launch system 1, for example, from a control station aboard the naval platform on which the modular launch system 1 is installed. In this case, the receiving box 4 includes, for example, a device for launching the ammunition received in the receiving box 4, this launching device being electrically connected to the second connector 54, and the modular launch system 1 includes at least one control device for the launching device, which is integral with the chassis and electrically connected to the first connector 52. Thus, connecting the first connector 52 to the second connector 54 ensures the electrical connection of the control device and the launching device in the operational position.In other words, the pairing device then ensures the electrical connection between the control device and the launching device automatically, without an operator needing to make this connection manually once the receiving unit 4 has been placed in the functional position, as is usually the case. According to the embodiment shown in the figures. Figs. 2 And 3 , the pairing device includes two first connectors 52 extending on either side of the first rail 26 in the transverse direction T, the coupling plate 24 including two corresponding second connectors 54.

[0039] Alternatively or in addition, the pairing device also allows for mechanical pairing between the receiving unit 4 and the chassis 2 in the functional position, notably to ensure that the receiving unit 4 is immobilized within the chassis 2 in the functional position. In this case, the first pairing element comprises at least one first mechanical locking element 56 integral with the chassis 2, and the second pairing element comprises at least one second locking element 58, complementary to the first locking element 56 and integral with the coupling plate 24. Moving the coupling plate 24 from the reloading position to the functional position causes the first locking element 56 to cooperate with the second locking element 58 so as to immobilize the receiving unit 4 in the housing 6 in the functional position.The pairing device is also movable to an unlocked position when the receiving box 4 is in the functional position, so as to allow the coupling plate 24 to move to the reloading position in the unlocked position. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first locking element 56 is formed by a pin, projecting in the longitudinal direction L from a wall of the chassis 2, for example the bottom wall 14 and / or an edge of the open longitudinal end of the chassis 2, and the second locking element 58 is formed by a corresponding hole provided on the coupling plate 24 and aligned with the pin in the longitudinal direction when the receiving box 4 moves on the rail.The pin is inserted into the hole when the receiving unit 4 reaches the functional position, thus ensuring a mechanical coupling between the receiving unit 4 and the chassis 2. Alternatively, the pin is provided on the coupling plate 24 and the hole on the chassis. Preferably, and as shown in the figures, several pins and corresponding holes are provided to ensure effective locking of the receiving unit 4 onto the chassis 2 in the functional position.

[0040] The operations of reloading ammunition and / or replacing a receiving pod will now be described.

[0041] During normal operation of the modular launch system 1, the receiving pod(s) 4 are in their functional position within a corresponding housing 6, and the support arm(s) 30 are, for example, in their resting position. In this configuration, the modular launch system 1 can be used to fire ammunition in all directions thanks to the rotation of the chassis 2 around the adjustment rotation axis R1 and / or the orientation axis R2. Furthermore, when several receiving pods 4 are provided, each accommodating different types of ammunition, these different types of ammunition can be fired by the same modular launch system 1.

[0042] When a receiving crate 4 is empty and / or when the type of ammunition to be fired from the location of this receiving crate 4 needs to be changed, a support arm 30 is placed in the active position above the housing 6 receiving this receiving crate 4, as shown in the Fig. 4 .

[0043] The mechanical pairing device is placed in the unlocked position, and the intermediate link of the drive chain 42 is connected to the rest of the drive chain 42 extending into the support arm 30. The receiving box 4 is then moved along the first rail 26 from the functional position to the intermediate position, and then along the second rail 28 from the intermediate position to the reloading position, as shown in the diagrams. Fig. 5 And 6. Moving from the functional position to the intermediate position results in the disconnection of the electrical pairing device, without requiring any particular intervention from an operator other than the actuation of the drive chain 42.

[0044] In the reloading position, the chassis 2 is, for example, moved into the inclined position by rotation around the adjustment rotation axis R1 to bring the receiving pod 4 closer to the ground and make it more easily accessible to an operator, as shown in the Fig. 6 .

[0045] If the operation is a simple reloading operation, the connection between the connecting element 38 and the trolley 40 is maintained, and the reloading operation can be carried out by one operator. Before this operation, the receiving crate 4 can be rotated around the reloading rotation axis R3 to facilitate access to the receiving crate 4 depending on the direction in which the ammunition is to be inserted, as shown in the diagram. Fig. 7 .

[0046] If the operation is a replacement of the receiving box 4, the connection between the connecting element 38 and the trolley 40 is disengaged so as to separate the receiving box 4 from the rail and allow its replacement, the connecting element 38 of the new receiving box 4 being simply connected to the trolley 40. This operation is particularly simple insofar as the coupling plate 24 is the same from one receiving box 4 to another.

[0047] Once the reloading or replacement has been carried out, the receiving box 4 is placed back in alignment with the rail and the chassis 2 is placed back in the raised position so as to place the rail in the footprint 46 of the coupling plate 24. This placement allows the receiving box 4 to be correctly aligned with the corresponding housing 6 in the longitudinal direction L so that an operator can place the receiving box 4 in the housing 6 simply by operating the drive chain 42 and without having to ensure the correct alignment of the receiving box 4 with the housing 6 himself.

[0048] The receiving box 4 is then moved to the functional position, which automatically ensures the electrical and / or mechanical pairing between the receiving box 4 and the chassis 2, as described previously.

[0049] Reloading and replacement operations can therefore be carried out in a particularly simple and rapid manner and do not require the use of complex gripping or handling equipment, such as a crane or the like. As a result, the downtime of the modular launch system 1 between two salvos of ammunition is significantly reduced.

Claims

1. Modular ammunition launching system (1) comprising: - at least one chassis (2) defining at least one housing (6), - at least one ammunition receiving pod (4), said receiving pod (4) being movable relative to said chassis (2) between a functional position, in which the receiving pod (4) is received into the housing (6), and a reloading position, in which the receiving pod (4) extends outside the housing (6), said modular launching system being characterized in thatit comprises at least one coupling plate (24) integral with the receiving box (4) and mounted to slide on a first rail (26) integral with the chassis (2) and extending in a longitudinal direction (L), said coupling plate (24) being movable on said first rail (26) between the functional position and an intermediate position between the functional position and the reloading position, said modular system further comprising a support arm (30) extending outward from the chassis (2) in the longitudinal direction (L) out of the housing (6) in an active position of the support arm, said support arm (30) comprising a second rail (28) extending in line with the first rail (26) in the longitudinal direction, said coupling plate (24) being movable on said second rail (28) between the intermediate position and the reloading position.

2. Modular launching system according to claim 1, wherein the support arm (30) is removably mounted on the chassis (2) between the active position and a rest position, in which the support arm (30) is separated from the chassis (2).

3. Modular launching system according to claim 1, wherein the support arm (30) is movable relative to the chassis (2), between the active position and a rest position, in which the support arm (30) is retracted around the housing (6).

4. Modular system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coupling plate (24) is movable on the first and second rails (26, 28) by means of a connecting element (38) mounted on the coupling plate (24), said connecting element (38) being fixed to a trolley (40) movable in translation on the first and second rails (26, 28).

5. Modular system according to claim 4, wherein said connecting element (38) is mounted on the coupling plate (24) in a movable rotational manner about a reloading rotation axis (R3) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) when the receiving box (4) is in the reloading position.

6. Modular launching system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the link between the connecting element (38) and the trolley (40) is disengageable so as to be able to separate the receiving box (4) from the chassis (2) in the reloading position.

7. Modular launching system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the trolley (40) is movable on the first and second rails (26, 28) by an actuable drive chain (42).

8. Modular launching system according to claim 7, wherein the drive chain (42) comprises an intermediate link fixed to the carriage and detachable from a portion of the drive chain (42) extending into the support arm (30), the intermediate link being detached from said portion of the drive chain in the functional position so as to allow movement of the support arm (30) between the active position and a rest position, in which the second rail (28) does not extend in continuity with the first rail (26).

9. Modular launch system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the chassis defines a plurality of housings (6) and a plurality of first rails (26), each housing (6) receiving a receiving box (4) in the functional position, the coupling plate (24) of each receiving box (4) being mounted to slide on one of said first rails (26) between the functional position and the intermediate position, at least one support arm (30) being positionable in the active position to place the second rail (28) in continuity with one of the first rails (26) and to allow the movement of a receiving box (4) into the reloading position.

10. Naval platform comprising at least one modular launching system (1) for munitions according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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