LAUNCHING  PLATFORMS FOR PROJECT K-15

Pontoon Launcher

 
This launcher is designed and developed for testing of missiles. Design by analysis approach has been adopted for final configuration of the launcher. The material used for launcher structure is high-strength-lowalloy (HSLA) steel. Sets of guide rails are bolted to the container to hold the launcher. Advanced fabrication technology has been used to ensure the desired perpendicularity, parallesim and concentricity. A 2.3 m static seal, which restricts water ingress to the bottom of the container, has been designed and experimentally validated for extreme hydrostatic pressure. The system has been delivered to the user and mounted inside a pontoon.

 

Platform Launcher

 
Platform launcher has been designed for launching medium range surface-to-surface missiles. It comprises a launcher structure, a set of shock isolation systems, a set of launcher locking mechanism, a set of special seals and a connector alignment mechanisms for connector blind mating. The launcher structure is having precision dimensional features for perfect interfacing with the missile and other subsystems. The structure is made of special high strength stainless steel for a maintenance-free service life. This material does not need any corrosion protection against any aggressive marine environment.

 

Pontoon launcher. Inside view (right)

 

Salient Features

 

  • The shock isolation systems protect the launcher against shock load. The shock isolation systems comprise disc spring stacks in longitudinal direction and elastic beams in lateral direction. This particular non-conventional combination takes care of compactness and mode decoupling

  • The locking mechanism locks the shock isolation suspension system and provide rigid support during launch operation. It is a fail-safe all mechanical device

  • The 2.4 m diameter diaphragm seal prevents water entrance and flexes when the launcher vibrates on the shock isolation mounts. The seal has been developed based on steel reinforced radial tyre technology

  • The connector alignment mechanism has all six degrees of freedom and, therefore, capable to take care of any misalignment within the envisaged limit during  blind mating of connector
Canisterised Mobile Launcher 

The launcher is mounted on a road mobile vehicle TATRA 8 x 8 VVL. This system has been designed for road mobility only with a maximum speed up to 40 km/hr for the specific requirements of the user. The system is used for transporting the missile from the missile integration bay to the designated launch site, levelling the launch platform within the permissible tolerance, articulating the missile from horizontal to vertical within the specified perpendicular tolerance and for launching the missile. Once the missile is transported to the designated site, it can be made ready for launching within 20 min with a five member crew. Levelling of the platform and articulation of the launch beam is done by hydraulic actuators through proportional control valves. These operations can be performed either by directly operating the control valves mounted on the vehicle chassis or through an electrical control panel from a distance of 50 m. The power can be drawn, either from the vehicle engine through power take off (PTO) or from a 5 kW petrol engine mounted on the vehicle chassis. The present design caters for the specific requirements for test firing of the missiles, however, the system has the potential to be used as mobile tube launcher with some design change to increase the mobility.

 

                                                                                                              Canisterised mobile launcher

Salient Features

 

  • Faster launch preparation with less pre-launch operation

  • The pre-launch operations can be performed from a remote distance of 50 m

  • Auxiliary backup power available

  • The articulation linkage design is done to minimise the dynamic response of the launch beam

  • The system is tailor-made to suit the specific requirements of the user

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