Munitions rack with structural element and insertable ejectors
A munitions rack includes a munitions rack structure that houses multiple compact ejectors. The structure includes a pair of internal longitudinal ribs, inboard of a pair of external longitudinal ribs. A spine of the munitions rack structure links all the ribs, and the munitions rack structure may be formed out of a single piece of material. The ribs define a pair of side recesses on the port and starboard sides of the bomb, which each may be further subdivided into a forward pocket and an aft pocket. Removable ejectors are located in the pockets. The ejectors may receive pressurized gas from pressurized gas source(s) located outside of the ejectors. The ejectors may each have multiple forward pistons and multiple aft pistons. The ejectors may include pitch control valving to control the relative amounts of pressurized gas sent to the forward piston(s) and aft piston(s).
1. A munitions rack comprising:
a munitions rack structure that is made of a single unitary continuous piece and that includes a pair of longitudinal ribs defining a longitudinally-extending central recess and a pair of longitudinal-extending side recesses on opposite respective sides of the longitudinally-extending central recess, with the longitudinal ribs between the longitudinally-extending central recess and respective of the longitudinally-extending side recesses; and
munitions ejectors;
wherein multiple of the munitions ejectors are in each of the side recesses.
2. The munitions rack of claim 1 , wherein the ribs extend a majority of a length of the munitions rack.
3. The munitions rack of claim 1 , wherein the ribs extend at least two-thirds of a length of the munitions rack.
4. The munitions rack of claim 1 , wherein the ribs extend at least 90% of a length of the munitions rack structure.
5. The munitions rack of claim 1 , wherein the munitions rack structure is made of steel or aluminum.
6. The munitions rack of claim 1 ,
wherein the longitudinal ribs are internal ribs; and
wherein the munitions rack structure includes a pair of external ribs outboard of the internal ribs, with the external ribs being part of an external surface of the munitions rack.
7. The munitions rack of claim 1 , wherein the munitions rack structure has lug holes in a top surface.
8. The munitions rack of claim 1 , wherein the munitions rack structure includes a top spine that links the ribs.
9. The munitions rack of claim 1 , further comprising a cover plate that is secured to the munitions rack structure and covers the central recess and the side recesses of the munitions rack structure.
10. The munitions rack of claim 1 , wherein the munitions ejectors are mechanically coupled to the munitions rack structures by removable fasteners passing through the munitions rack structure and into the munitions.
11. A munitions rack comprising:
a munitions rack structure that includes a pair of longitudinal ribs defining a longitudinally-extending central recess and a pair of longitudinal-extending side recesses on opposite respective sides of the longitudinally-extending central recess, with the longitudinal ribs between the longitudinally-extending central recess and respective of the longitudinally-extending side recesses; and
munitions ejectors;
wherein multiple of the munitions ejectors are in each of the side recesses; and
where the side recesses include a forward port pocket, a forward starboard pocket, an aft port pocket, and an aft starboard pocket.
12. The munitions rack of claim 11 , wherein the ribs extend a majority of a length of the munitions rack.
13. The munitions rack of claim 11 , wherein the munitions rack structure is made of steel or aluminum.
14. The munitions rack of claim 11 ,
wherein the longitudinal ribs are internal ribs; and
wherein the munitions rack structure includes a pair of external ribs outboard of the internal ribs, with the external ribs being part of an external surface of the munitions rack.
15. The munitions rack of claim 11 , wherein the munitions rack structure includes a top spine that links the ribs.
16. A munitions rack comprising:
a munitions rack structure that includes a pair of longitudinal ribs defining a longitudinally-extending central recess and a pair of longitudinal-extending side recesses on opposite respective sides of the longitudinally-extending central recess, with the longitudinal ribs between the longitudinally-extending central recess and respective of the longitudinally-extending side recesses; and
munitions ejectors;
wherein multiple of the munitions ejectors are in each of the side recesses; and
wherein the munitions rack structure includes or more transverse bulkheads.
17. The munitions rack of claim 16 , wherein the ribs extend a majority of a length of the munitions rack.
18. The munitions rack of claim 16 , wherein the munitions rack structure is made of steel or aluminum.
19. The munitions rack of claim 16 ,
wherein the longitudinal ribs are internal ribs; and
wherein the munitions rack structure includes a pair of external ribs outboard of the internal ribs, with the external ribs being part of an external surface of the munitions rack.
20. The munitions rack of claim 16 , wherein the munitions rack structure includes a top spine that links the ribs.
21. A munitions rack comprising:
a munitions rack structure that includes a pair of longitudinal ribs defining a longitudinally-extending central recess and a pair of longitudinal-extending side recesses on opposite respective sides of the longitudinally-extending central recess, with the longitudinal ribs between the longitudinally-extending central recess and respective of the longitudinally-extending side recesses; and
munitions ejectors;
wherein multiple of the munitions ejectors are in each of the side recesses; and
wherein the munitions rack structure includes an access door that is openable to provide access to an external pneumatic energy connection of the munitions rack.
22. The munitions rack of claim 21 , wherein the munitions rack structure is made of steel or aluminum.
23. The munitions rack of claim 21 ,
wherein the longitudinal ribs are internal ribs; and
wherein the munitions rack structure includes a pair of external ribs outboard of the internal ribs, with the external ribs being part of an external surface of the munitions rack.
24. The munitions rack of claim 21 , wherein the munitions rack structure includes a top spine that links the ribs.