US-12617529-B2 - Air drop logistics apparatus and method

US12617529B2US 12617529 B2US12617529 B2US 12617529B2US-12617529-B2

Abstract

An air drop rack assembly is mounted within the cargo compartment of a cargo aircraft and has a forward part secured to the load deck and an aft part secured to the aircraft cargo ramp. The rack parts have rollers in conveyor assemblies mounted between C-channels which engage skidboards which support smaller aircraft such as gliders or cruise missiles. When the ramp is up two rack parts are tilted with respect to each other. At payload drop, ramp is deployed to bring the rack part conveyor assemblies into alignment. Although the aligned rack parts are spaced apart, when the cargo aircraft is tilted upwardly, the individual payloads on skidboards are discharged out the aircraft aft opening. Cruise missiles or bombs may be supported on a skidboard with a deformable surface, a forward ballast weight, and a spring, such that once launched the skidboard is pushed away from the payload.

Inventors

Martinus M. Sarigul-Klijn
Nesrin Sarigul-Klijn

Assignees

Logistic Gliders Inc.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20250228

Claims (19)

1 . An assembly for air dropping of cargo comprising: a cargo aircraft having a fuselage with an interior cargo compartment with a load deck which communicates with an aft opening, wherein a cargo ramp at an aft of the cargo aircraft is connected to the fuselage by a hinge for pivoting between a raised configuration in which the cargo ramp blocks portions of the aft opening, and a lowered configuration in which the cargo ramp permits a deployment of cargo from the cargo compartment through the aft opening; and an air drop rack assembly mounted in the cargo compartment of the cargo aircraft, the rack assembly comprising: a rack forward part comprising: a forward platform secured to the load deck of the cargo compartment; a forward rack frame comprised of a plurality of frame members fixed to the forward platform and spaced from one another in a flight direction; lower conveyor roller assemblies mounted to the forward platform to define a lower rack shelf, the lower conveyor roller assemblies arranged to facilitate movement of the cargo in the flight direction; upper conveyor roller assemblies mounted to the forward rack frame above the forward platform to define an upper rack shelf, the upper conveyor roller assemblies parallel to the lower conveyor roller assemblies and arranged to facilitate movement of the cargo in the flight direction; a rack aft part which is not connected directly to the rack forward part, the rack aft part comprising: an aft platform secured to the cargo ramp of the cargo aircraft; an aft rack frame comprised of a plurality of frame members fixed to the aft platform and spaced from one another in the flight direction; lower conveyor roller assemblies fixed to the aft platform to define a lower rack shelf, and upper conveyor roller assemblies fixed to the aft rack frame to define an upper rack shelf parallel to and above the aft platform lower shelf, wherein in the lowered configuration the aft platform lower rack shelf is parallel to and aligned with the forward platform lower rack shelf and the aft platform upper rack shelf is parallel to and aligned with the forward platform upper rack shelf; and wherein when the cargo ramp is in the raised configuration, the rack aft part is tipped upwardly with respect to the rack forward part such that the aft platform is not parallel to the forward platform, and wherein in the lowered configuration the rack aft part is spaced in the flight direction from the rack forward part and the aft platform is parallel to the forward platform, and when the cargo aircraft is inclined upwardly unconstrained payloads within the rack assembly are free to travel from the forward rack part to the aft rack part for discharge from the cargo aircraft through the aft opening; a catwalk pivotably connected to two of the plurality of frame members of the forward rack frame, such that a first vertical member of one frame member is spaced in the flight direction from a second vertical member of another frame member, the catwalk being mounted between the first vertical member and the second vertical member at a position above the forward platform and beneath the rack forward part upper rack shelf, the catwalk being pivotable into a horizontal deployed position, the catwalk allowing service personnel to readily access the cargo supported on the rack forward part upper rack shelf.
2 . The assembly for air dropping of cargo of claim 1 wherein the catwalk is pivotally connected to the two of the plurality of frame members of the forward rack frame such that the catwalk can be folded upwardly along the forward rack frame into a collapsed configuration, wherein the folded catwalk does not extend above the rack forward part upper rack shelf.
3 . The assembly for air dropping of cargo of claim 1 wherein the forward platform comprises a plurality of Type V airdrop platforms, and wherein the aft platform comprises a Type V airdrop platform.
4 . The assembly for air dropping of cargo of claim 1 wherein a gap is defined between the first vertical member and the second vertical member, such that when the catwalk is in the horizontal deployed position, a volume is defined above the catwalk which extends inward in a direction perpendicular to the flight direction to allow service personnel to extend portions of their body into the volume, making it possible for the service personnel to step around the frame members.
5 . The assembly for air dropping of cargo of claim 4 wherein the catwalk in the horizontal deployed position is spaced no more than 36 inches above the forward platform.
6 . An assembly for air dropping of cargo comprising: a cargo aircraft having a fuselage with an interior cargo compartment with a load deck which communicates with an aft opening, wherein a cargo ramp at an aft of the cargo aircraft is connected to the fuselage by a hinge for pivoting between a raised configuration in which the cargo ramp blocks portions of the aft opening, and a lowered configuration in which the cargo ramp permits a deployment of cargo from the cargo compartment through the aft opening; and an air drop rack assembly mounted in the cargo compartment of the cargo aircraft, the rack assembly comprising: a rack forward part comprising: a forward platform secured to the load deck of the cargo compartment; a forward rack frame comprised of a plurality of frame members fixed to the forward platform and spaced from one another in a flight direction; lower conveyor roller assemblies mounted to the forward platform to define a lower rack shelf, the lower conveyor roller assemblies arranged to facilitate movement of the cargo in the flight direction; upper conveyor roller assemblies mounted to the forward rack frame above the forward platform to define an upper rack shelf, the upper conveyor roller assemblies parallel to the lower conveyor roller assemblies and arranged to facilitate movement of the cargo in the flight direction; a rack aft part which is not connected directly to the rack forward part, the rack aft part comprising: an aft platform secured to the cargo ramp of the cargo aircraft; an aft rack frame comprised of a plurality of frame members fixed to the aft platform and spaced from one another in the flight direction; lower conveyor roller assemblies fixed to the aft platform to define a lower rack shelf, and upper conveyor roller assemblies fixed to the aft rack frame to define an upper rack shelf parallel to and above the aft platform lower shelf, wherein in the lowered configuration the aft platform lower rack shelf is parallel to and aligned with the forward platform lower rack shelf and the aft platform upper rack shelf is parallel to and aligned with the forward platform upper rack shelf; and wherein when the cargo ramp is in the raised configuration, the rack aft part is tipped upwardly with respect to the rack forward part such that the aft platform is not parallel to the forward platform, and wherein in the lowered configuration the rack aft part is spaced in the flight direction from the rack forward part and the aft platform is parallel to the forward platform, and when the cargo aircraft is inclined upwardly unconstrained payloads within the rack assembly are free to travel from the forward rack part to the aft raft rack part for discharge from the cargo aircraft through the aft opening; wherein each of the plurality of frame members of the forward rack frame comprise a first frame member and a second frame member spaced in the flight direction from the first frame member, and wherein each of the first frame member and the second frame member comprises: a lower horizontal member fixed to the forward platform; two upwardly extending vertical members on either side of the horizontal member; and an upper horizontal member which connects the two upwardly extending vertical members, and wherein crossed tension members comprising chains extend in the flight direction between the first frame member and the second frame member on either side of the forward platform, providing forward and aft restraint to the first and second frame members.
7 . The assembly for air dropping of cargo of claim 6 wherein the upper conveyor roller assemblies mounted to the forward rack frame above the forward platform extend between two upper horizontal members of the plurality of frame members.
8 . The assembly for air dropping of cargo of claim 6 further comprising C-channels fixed to each roller assembly to define outside and inside C-channels which face one another and define a flight direction restraining channel for engagement of a protruding skidboard of the cargo to be dropped.
9 . The assembly for air dropping of cargo of claim 6 further comprising portions of the forward rack frame and the aft rack frame which support conveyor roller assemblies each to define a third shelf above the forward rack frame upper rack shelf and the aft rack frame upper rack shelf respectively.
10 . An air drop rack assembly mounted in a cargo compartment of a cargo aircraft having a cargo ramp which in a raised configuration closes the cargo compartment, and which in a lowered configuration permits a deployment of cargo through an aircraft aft opening, the rack assembly comprising: a rack forward part comprising: a forward platform secured to a deck of the cargo aircraft cargo compartment; a plurality of frames fixed to the forward platform and spaced from one another in a flight direction; lower conveyor roller assemblies mounted to the forward platform to define a lower rack shelf, the lower conveyor roller assemblies arranged to facilitate movement of the cargo in the flight direction; upper conveyor roller assemblies mounted to the plurality of frames above the forward platform to define an upper rack shelf, the upper conveyor roller assemblies parallel to the lower conveyor roller assemblies and arranged to facilitate movement of the cargo in the flight direction; a rack aft part which is not connected directly to the rack forward part, the rack aft part comprising: an aft platform secured to the cargo ramp of the cargo aircraft; a plurality of frames fixed to the aft platform and spaced from one another in the flight direction; lower conveyor roller assemblies fixed to the aft platform to define a lower rack shelf, and upper conveyor roller assemblies fixed to the plurality of frames to define an upper rack shelf parallel to and above the aft platform lower rack shelf, wherein in the lowered configuration the aft platform lower rack shelf is parallel to and aligned with the forward platform lower rack shelf and the aft platform upper rack shelf is parallel to and aligned with the forward platform upper rack shelf, such that when the cargo aircraft is inclined upwardly and the cargo ramp is in the lower configuration, unconstrained payloads within the rack assembly are free to travel from the forward rack part to the aft rack part for discharge from the cargo aircraft through the aft opening; and a catwalk pivotably connected to two of the plurality of frames of the forward rack frame, such that a first vertical member of one frame is spaced in the flight direction from a second vertical member of another frame, the catwalk being mounted between the first vertical member and the second vertical member at a position above the forward platform and beneath the rack forward part upper rack shelf, the catwalk being pivotable into a horizontal deployed position, the catwalk allowing service personnel to readily access the cargo supported on the rack forward part upper rack shelf.
11 . The air drop rack assembly of claim 10 wherein the catwalk is pivotally connected to the two of the plurality of frames of the rack forward part such that the catwalk can be folded upwardly along the rack forward part into a collapsed configuration, wherein the folded catwalk does not extend above the rack forward part upper rack shelf.
12 . The air drop rack assembly of claim 10 wherein the forward platform comprises a plurality of Type V airdrop platforms, and wherein the aft platform comprises a Type V airdrop platform.
13 . The assembly for air dropping of cargo of claim 10 wherein a gap is defined between the first vertical member and the second vertical member, such that when the catwalk is in the horizontal deployed position, a volume is defined above the catwalk which extends inward in a direction perpendicular to the flight direction to allow service personnel to extend portions of their body into the volume, making it possible for the service personnel to step around the frame members.
14 . The assembly for air dropping of cargo of claim 13 wherein the catwalk in the horizontal deployed position is spaced no more than 36 inches above the forward platform.
15 . An air drop rack assembly mounted in a cargo compartment of a cargo aircraft having a cargo ramp which in a raised configuration closes the cargo compartment, and which in a lowered configuration permits a deployment of cargo through an aircraft aft opening, the rack assembly comprising: a rack forward part comprising: a forward platform secured to a deck of the cargo aircraft cargo compartment; a plurality of frames fixed to the forward platform and spaced from one another in a flight direction; lower conveyor roller assemblies mounted to the forward platform to define a lower rack shelf, the lower conveyor roller assemblies arranged to facilitate movement of the cargo in the flight direction; upper conveyor roller assemblies mounted to the plurality of frames above the forward platform to define an upper rack shelf, the upper conveyor roller assemblies parallel to the lower conveyor roller assemblies and arranged to facilitate movement of the cargo in the flight direction; a rack aft part which is not connected directly to the rack forward part, the rack aft part comprising: an aft platform secured to the cargo ramp of the cargo aircraft; a plurality of frames fixed to the aft platform and spaced from one another in the flight direction; lower conveyor roller assemblies fixed to the aft platform to define a lower rack shelf, and upper conveyor roller assemblies fixed to the plurality of frames to define an upper rack shelf parallel to and above the aft platform lower rack shelf, wherein in the lowered configuration the aft platform lower rack shelf is parallel to and aligned with the forward platform lower rack shelf and the aft platform upper rack shelf is parallel to and aligned with the forward platform upper rack shelf, such that when the cargo aircraft is inclined upwardly and the cargo ramp is in the lower configuration, unconstrained payloads within the rack assembly are free to travel from the forward rack part to the aft rack part for discharge from the cargo aircraft through the aft opening; wherein the plurality of frames of the rack forward part comprises a first frame and a second frame spaced in the flight direction from the first frame, and wherein each of the first frame and the second frame comprises: a lower horizontal member fixed to the forward platform; two upwardly extending vertical members on either side of the horizontal member; and an upper horizontal member which connects the two upwardly extending vertical members, and wherein crossed tension members comprising chains extend in the flight direction between the first frame and the second frame on either side of the forward platform, providing forward and aft restraint to the first and second frame members.
16 . The assembly for air dropping of cargo of claim 15 wherein the upper conveyor roller assemblies mounted to the plurality of frames of the rack forward part above the forward platform extend between two upper horizontal members of the plurality of frames.
17 . The assembly for air dropping of cargo of claim 15 further comprising C-channels fixed to each roller assembly to define outside and inside C-channels which face one another and define a flight direction restraining channel for engagement of a protruding skidboard of the cargo to be dropped.
18 . The assembly for air dropping cargo of claim 17 wherein three flight direction restraining channels are defined on each shelf.
19 . The assembly for air dropping of cargo of claim 15 further comprising portions of the rack forward part and the rack aft part which support conveyor roller assemblies each to define a third shelf above the rack forward part upper rack shelf and the rack aft part upper rack shelf.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. App. No. 63/673,047, filed Jul. 18, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to air dropping of payloads from cargo aircraft. Cargo aircraft transport material and supplies to airports and landing strips around the world. Yet many remote locations do not have the necessary facilities to receive large aircraft such as the C-130 or C-17. Supplies can be delivered for disaster relief, support of exploratory and scientific missions and for reconnaissance teams by air drop from a cargo aircraft. Moreover, in military conflicts shipments must be made to areas which may not be sufficiently controlled to allow aircraft landings. In some cases, self-guided gliders or cruise missiles may be launched from a cargo aircraft. For example, the Lockheed Martin Rapid Dragon palletized airdrop standoff missile system employs an array of cruise missiles packaged within a palletized frame which is received within a C-130 cargo compartment. To deploy the missiles, the aft cargo door of the aircraft is opened, and the entire frame is ejected from the aircraft. Parachutes extract the individual cruise missiles from the ejected and falling frame, after which the individual missiles are activated. Although expeditious and effective, this approach requires all the payloads within a frame to be launched at the same location. Moreover, should a problem arise in the launch, all the cruise missiles could be lost. In addition, the one-time use frame is not recoverable, and poses a hazard to inhabitants below the launch site. What is needed is an airlaunch arrangement which is compatible with existing aircraft, which allows the individual launch of subpayloads and which is reusable. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An air drop rack assembly has a rack frame with two parts: a front part mounted to the load deck of a cargo aircraft's cargo compartment and an aft part mounted to the aircraft cargo ramp. The rack parts have rollers in conveyor assemblies mounted between C-channels which engage skidboards which support smaller aircraft such as gliders or cruise missiles. When the cargo ramp is raised and the aft opening of the cargo compartment is closed, the aft part of the rack tilted up with respect to the forward part. When a payload is to be dropped at the launch site, the cargo ramp is deployed to bring the two rack frame parts into parallel alignment, thus presenting a substantially continuous launch channel defined between C-channels above conveyor roller assemblies. Although the aligned rack parts are spaced apart, when the cargo aircraft is tilted upwardly, the individual payloads on skidboards are guided within the launch channels and discharged out the aircraft aft opening. The skidboard may be attached to the payload, or the payload may be carried on a separable skidboard. Cruise missiles may be supported on a skidboard with a crushable deformable surface. This skidboard has a forward ballast weight and an intermediate spring which urges the cruise missile away from the skidboard. Once launched, the spring separates the skidboard and the ballast weight causes the released skidboard to drop vertically, allowing for unencumbered separation of the skidboard from the payload, and preventing lateral fight of the skidboard. It is an object of the present invention to provide an air drop rack assembly capable of supporting multiple aircraft within the cargo compartment of a cargo aircraft for individualized release. It is another object of the present invention to provide an air drop rack assembly for multiple aircraft which is retained within a cargo aircraft's cargo compartment during launch and which is fully reusable. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system for launching multiple drones or payloads which does not discharge disposables at the launch site. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an air drop frame which allows dropped payloads such as drones, cruise missiles or bombs to be launched one at a time. Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cargo aircraft with the air drop deployment structure of this invention in a transport configuration. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the cargo aircraft of FIG. 1 inclined upwardly at a positive angle of attack with the loading ramp opened to bring the air drop deployment structure into a drop configuration. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a drone being dropped from the aircraft. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the drone of FIG. 3 in flight. FIG. 5 is an isometric view of t