Launch_system

US12560406 - Vacuum insulated vertical launch system (VLS)

Vacuum insulation layers are provided for one or more components of a launch system for a plurality of missiles. The vacuum insulation layers may be integrated into the walls of the components or provided in inserts attached to the components. A medium or high vacuum is pulled on a sealed void space in the walls or the insert. The vacuum insulation layer provides a thermal conductivity (Tcond_vac) of less than one-third of a thermal conductivity of air (Tcond_air). The vacuum insulation layer delays desensitization or inhibits premature reaction of the energetic materials inside the missiles due to high external temperatures. The insulation layers allow for more compact and dense configurations of the launch system and missiles.