Missile Launch Ramp Pit Design for Stealth Surface Vessels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing missile launch systems on ships are vulnerable to asymmetric threats and have a significant radar and visual signature, with current solutions like bulwarks and retractable ramps being expensive, complex, or compromising operational availability.
Innovation Solution
A missile launch device featuring a pit with side bulwarks that minimize radar and visual signatures, using refractory-coated gas evacuation deflectors and fixed launch pads, ensuring protection against small-caliber artillery and maintaining operational readiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed ramps are located on the ship's exterior deck, then missile launch capability is ensured, but the visual and radar signature increases and vulnerability to asymmetric threats occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The missile launch system is segmented into a pit structure with side bulwarks, separating the launch ramp from the open deck. This segmentation allows the ramp to remain functional while being partially concealed by the bulwarks, reducing radar and visual signature while maintaining launch capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The launch ramp is positioned in a pit that extends vertically into the ship's structure, utilizing the vertical dimension to conceal the ramp behind bulwarks. This dimensional change allows the ramp to be hidden from horizontal radar and visual detection while remaining accessible for missile loading and launch.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If bulwarks are placed around missile ramps to mask them, then protection against asymmetric threats is improved, but gas evacuation becomes problematic and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas evacuation function is extracted from the bulwark structure itself and implemented through dedicated exhaust ports and ducting systems. This separation allows the bulwarks to provide protection while the extracted gas evacuation system handles propulsion gas discharge without compromising the protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
Exhaust ports and ducting systems act as intermediaries between the missile launch ramp and the external environment. These intermediary structures channel propulsion gases away from the protected ramp area while maintaining the integrity of the bulwark protection, avoiding the need for complex movable covers or doors.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If retractable missile ramps are used, then radar and visual signature is reduced, but operational availability decreases due to positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the ramp retractable to reduce signature, the invention inverts the approach by making the ramp fixed but concealing it within a pit structure with bulwarks. This inversion maintains the ramp's permanent availability while achieving signature reduction through spatial concealment rather than mechanical retraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The missile ramp is pre-positioned in a ready state within the pit structure, with all launch infrastructure permanently installed and configured. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming positioning operations before launch, ensuring immediate operational availability while the fixed structure provides continuous signature reduction.
4Ease of operation
If gaping openings are provided for gas evacuation, then cover handling complexity is reduced, but protection against asymmetric threats and signature reduction is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bulwark structure incorporates localized exhaust ports with specific geometric configurations optimized for gas flow. These locally optimized openings provide adequate gas evacuation capability while maintaining the overall protective function of the bulwarks, achieving both ease of operation and protection without requiring large gaping openings.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides effective protection against asymmetric threats while reducing the ship's radar and visual signature, ensuring permanent operational availability of the missile system.
Implementation Method 1
the gas evacuation device comprises walls lined with refractory material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Device for launching missiles from a ship, of the type comprising at least one missile launch ramp (9), characterized in that it comprises a ditch (4) delimited by side walls of which at least two (7, 8) constitute bulwarks which extend around the periphery of the ship, the ditch being open above the exterior deck of the ship, in that the launch ramp (9) is positioned in the ditch in such a way that it can be used to launch a missile over a lateral bulwark (7, 8) of the ditch extending around the periphery of the ship, in that it comprises a means (14) of discharging the missile propulsion gases comprising a duct (19) opening onto an orifice (20) provided in a lateral bulwark (7) of the ditch extending around the periphery of the ship, and in that the lateral bulwarks (7, 8) of the ditch are of a height tailored to conceal the missiles in place on the ramp, for angles of incidence of between 0 and -5° with respect to the deck of the ship.