Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!apple!veritas!amdcad!amdcad!military
From: rmack@desire.wright.edu
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: C-5 LAPES
Message-ID: <1991Mar27.051403.22754@amd.com>
Date: 27 Mar 91 05:14:03 GMT
References: <1991Mar18.132459.14027@cbnews.att.com> <1991Mar20.032310.29056@cbnews.att.com> <1991Mar25.064753.29063@amd.com>
Sender: military@amd.com
Organization: University Computing Services, Wright State University
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From: rmack@desire.wright.edu
	[ 14 lines of posting that we've read already --CDR ]

In a 1974 demonstration, the C-5A did, indeed, air launch a live 40-ton
Minuteman missile.  This was the first time such a launch was successfully
attempted and Lockheed is rightfully proud of its aircraft's (C-5 is a
Lockheed plane) accomplishment as it came at a time when the C-5A was a huge
financial failure for Lockheed and any and all attempts were being made to
demonstrate its usefullness.

The USAF apparently never felt that air-launching missiles was useful though
and the idea went no further, but Lockheed did help to enhance the C-5's
reputation with this little trick.  Maybe Northrop should try to fire a live
Trident from the B-2.

Anyway, I believe the extraction system used for the missile was similar to 
PLADS (Parachute Low Altitude Delivery System) and high altitude extraction
methods have never proven to be particularly useful for any aircraft.

Bob Mack, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio