Modular Weapon Carriage System Reducing Parasitic Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional weapon suspension and release equipment systems are costly, heavy, inefficient, and require frequent maintenance, leading to parasitic weight that reduces aircraft performance and fuel economy, and are not optimized for specific aircraft or weapon types, resulting in limited internal bay space and complex inventory management.
Innovation Solution
A modular weapon carriage and deployment system featuring a strongback structure with guide struts and suspension modules that allow for vertical translation and locking, enabling efficient carriage and release of multiple weapons, reducing residual weight and maintenance needs, and allowing reallocation of space for additional weapons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional S&RE systems are used to ensure durability and reliability over 20-30 year lifespan, then the system can withstand mechanical stress and fatigue, but the system becomes heavy and requires frequent maintenance inspections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the conventional monolithic S&RE system into modular components: suspension modules, release modules, and adapter interfaces. Each module can be independently inspected, maintained, or replaced, reducing the weight of individual components while maintaining overall system reliability through modular redundancy and targeted maintenance of only worn sections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional S&RE systems are designed for universal compatibility across multiple aircraft types, then the system can be used across the combined fleet, but the system becomes massive and heavy requiring heavy adapters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal adapter interface standard that can accommodate multiple aircraft types and weapon configurations through a common mounting pattern and control protocol. This allows a single family of adapters to serve multiple functions across different aircraft platforms, reducing the need for heavy, aircraft-specific adapters while maintaining broad compatibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional S&RE systems use mechanical adapters for each aircraft-weapon combination, then the system can interface with specific aircraft types, but the inventory management becomes costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements standardized interface zones and mounting patterns at specific locations on the aircraft and weapons, allowing for localized adaptation rather than requiring unique adapters for each combination. This standardization at critical interface points simplifies inventory management while maintaining the ability to accommodate various aircraft and weapon types.
4Strength
If conventional S&RE systems occupy limited internal weapons bay space, then the system can provide structural support and weapon carriage, but additional weapons and fuel space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable suspension and positioning mechanisms that can adapt their structural support configuration based on the specific weapon loadout. This allows the S&RE system to provide necessary structural strength only when and where needed, freeing up weapons bay space for additional weapons or fuel while maintaining adequate support capabilities through on-demand structural engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular weapon carriage and deployment (MWCD) system includes a strongback structure mountable to an aircraft. Left and right guide struts have respective upper ends attached to the strongback structure in spaced lateral positions. Each guide strut extends downward in a parallel arrangement. Each guide strut comprising a vertically-extending first engaging surface. Left and right suspension modules are engageable to opposite lateral sides of a first airborne store. Each suspension module includes a vertical channel that receives the engaging surface of the corresponding one of the left and right guide struts for relative vertical translation. A locking mechanism controllably locks to first engaging surface of the corresponding one of the left and right guide struts.