Hi All,
I was looking at the Gainful news article pictures earlier and was wondering if the tubular structures on either side of the missiles fold outwards from the bottom and if so, would they have to fold them before launching a missile? or when reloading? In the last pic there seems to be a pivot that looks placed to fold them down.
TIA
Tom

Hi Tom,
I'm not quite sure of the answer but I don't think they are removed before a missile launch. The tubes are a protection for the missiles while on the move.
I've already seen them set perpendicular to the vehicle axis as well but I can't tell you why.

olivier

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/sa-6.htm

Good question. Check the link above. All the photos show the wire frame vertically set. I really don't think they rotate. Looking at the fins on the missiles, it wouldn't appear that any would have any trouble clearing the rails during launch. So I'd have to agree that the rails wire frame is more for protection of already fragile missiles.





Jeff

Tom,
I correct my initial post.
The tubular structures are always in the same position along the missiles only the horizontal bars on their top may be set perpendicular to the vehicle axis.
I'll try to find the pics on which I saw that.

olivier