Oct 13, 2026

US12760993 - Ejectable strongback for the attachment of rocket boosters to air-launched weapons

An ejectable strongback assembly for coupling a delivery vehicle to a payload is provided. The assembly includes a first side configured to couple with the payload, and a second side with first and second canards positioned at opposite ends. The canards generate lift forces in aerodynamic fluid to direct the strongback away from the payload after separation. The assembly further includes first and second interfaces extending from the first side to engage with the payload, at least one separation mechanism to provide initial separation, and electronics configured to send a control signal to the interfaces. The system enables secure attachment and controlled, low-shock release of the strongback and booster, minimizing residual hardware and aerodynamic interference after launch. The assembly can allow a lug-restrained and released object to become a rocket motor-boosted object.

Assignee: Raytheon Company
Inventors: Andrew P. Frits, Jr., Neil J. Swanson, Jr., Lance Markovchick
Filing date: 2025-09-12

rocketboosterejectablepayload

The patent describes an ejectable strongback assembly designed to securely attach and facilitate the controlled release of rocket boosters from air-launched weapons, utilizing canards to generate lift and minimize aerodynamic interference post-launch. It includes mechanisms for separation and electronic controls to ensure a low-shock release, enhancing the efficiency of payload deployment.

Claim 1

1 . An ejectable strongback assembly comprising: a first side configured to couple with a payload; a first canard disposed at a second side of the strongback assembly opposite the strongback assembly first side; a second canard disposed at the strongback assembly second side, wherein the first canard is disposed at first end of the strongback assembly second side and the second canard is disposed at a second end of the strongback assembly second side, the first end being opposite the second end, wherein the first canard and the second canard are both configured to generate lift forces in aerodynamic fluid about the strongback assembly to direct the strongback assembly away from the payload; a first interface and a second interface disposed at the strongback assembly first side, wherein the first interface and the second interface each are configured to: extend from the housing first side; and engage with the payload; at least one separation mechanism extending from the strongback assembly first side, the at least one separation mechanism being configured to: engage with a side of the payload; separate the strongback assembly from the payload; and electronics configured to send a control signal to the first interface and the second interface. a first side configured to couple with a payload; a first canard disposed at a second side of the strongback assembly opposite the strongback assembly first side; a second canard disposed at the strongback assembly second side, wherein the first canard is disposed at first end of the strongback assembly second side and the second canard is disposed at a second end of the strongback assembly second side, the first end being opposite the second end, wherein the first canard and the second canard are both configured to generate lift forces in aerodynamic fluid about the strongback assembly to direct the strongback assembly away from the payload; a first interface and a second interface disposed at the strongback assembly first side, wherein the first interface and the second interface each are configured to: extend from the housing first side; and engage with the payload; extend from the housing first side; and engage with the payload; at least one separation mechanism extending from the strongback assembly first side, the at least one separation mechanism being configured to: engage with a side of the payload; separate the strongback assembly from the payload; and engage with a side of the payload; separate the strongback assembly from the payload; and electronics configured to send a control signal to the first interface and the second interface.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12760993

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12760993