Oct 6, 2026

US12753992 - Method and system for a missile adapter

Embodiments described herein n adapter is configured to receive a missile therein. The adapter includes a support member including an internal surface, an external surface, a fore portion, and an aft portion. The external surface includes one or more guide pins along the fore portion configured to slide through one or more corresponding guide rails on a receiving dual column chassis of a launcher, a pilot feature on the fore portion engages with the launcher, an extension portion, an electrical interface configured to couple to the launcher, and a second retention mechanism configured to retain the aft portion of the adapter in the receiving dual column chassis. The internal surface include lower guide rails, a fore alignment pin, a fore strike plate, an electrical interface guide pin, a first retention mechanism, and an aft mechanical stop feature configured to engage the first retention mechanism.

Assignee: DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc.
Inventors: Kaci Backs, Jeffrey S. Fitzgerald
Filing date: 2025-05-22

missileadapterlaunchermilitary

The patent describes an adapter designed to securely receive a missile, featuring a support member with both internal and external surfaces that include guide pins, a pilot feature, and multiple retention mechanisms for compatibility with a dual column launcher chassis. Additionally, the adapter incorporates electrical interfaces and alignment features to ensure proper integration and functionality within the missile launching system.

Claim 1

1 . An adapter configured to receive a missile therein, the adapter comprising: a support member comprising an internal surface, an external surface, a fore portion, and an aft portion, wherein the external surface comprises: one or more guide pins along the fore portion configured to slide through one or more corresponding guide rails on a receiving dual column chassis of a launcher; a pilot feature on the fore portion engages with the launcher; an extension portion; an electrical interface configured to couple to the launcher; and a second retention mechanism configured to retain the aft portion of the adapter in the receiving dual column chassis; wherein the internal surface comprises: lower guide rails; a fore alignment pin; a fore strike plate; an electrical interface guide pin; a first retention mechanism; and an aft mechanical stop feature configured to engage the first retention mechanism. a support member comprising an internal surface, an external surface, a fore portion, and an aft portion, wherein the external surface comprises: one or more guide pins along the fore portion configured to slide through one or more corresponding guide rails on a receiving dual column chassis of a launcher; a pilot feature on the fore portion engages with the launcher; an extension portion; an electrical interface configured to couple to the launcher; and a second retention mechanism configured to retain the aft portion of the adapter in the receiving dual column chassis; one or more guide pins along the fore portion configured to slide through one or more corresponding guide rails on a receiving dual column chassis of a launcher; a pilot feature on the fore portion engages with the launcher; an extension portion; an electrical interface configured to couple to the launcher; and a second retention mechanism configured to retain the aft portion of the adapter in the receiving dual column chassis; wherein the internal surface comprises: lower guide rails; a fore alignment pin; a fore strike plate; an electrical interface guide pin; a first retention mechanism; and an aft mechanical stop feature configured to engage the first retention mechanism. lower guide rails; a fore alignment pin; a fore strike plate; an electrical interface guide pin; a first retention mechanism; and an aft mechanical stop feature configured to engage the first retention mechanism.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12753992

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12753992