Launch Tubes

Products: 

• Flight Structures, Launch Tubes, Assembly & Integration

Cobham's Role:

• Development
• Production up to 10,000 Parts/Year

Core Manufacturing Processes & Materials:

• Compression Molding
• Assembly & Integration
• Graphite & Glass Epoxy

Successes:

• Developed & Qualified Processes
• Developed & Qualified High Volume Molding Cells
• Developed & Qualified Production Lines
• Met Production Ramp Requirements
• 100% On-time Delivery
   

Cobham Composite Products designs, develops, produces and refurbishes lightweight composite missile launch tubes for U. S. Army missile systems including JAVELIN, TOW and NLOS-LS

NLOS-LS (Non-Line of Sight, Launch System)

Cobham designed, developed and qualified the lightweight composite container for the NLOS-LS under contract to Raytheon Missile Systems. The NLOS-LS container is a complex, vibration-isolated vertical launch system designed to integrate onto a 16-tube pallet that meets stringent transportation and long term storage requirements. Cobham designed and qualified a lean assembly line and is delivering composite launch containers on schedule. Cobham designed the filament wound launch tubes, designed and sourced all container components and sub-assemblies and is successfully integrating and delivering completed launch containers.

TOW Missile Launch Tube Remanufactuing

Cobham worked closely with Raytheon Missile Systems to develop and qualify a lean production line to convert legacy wire-guided TOW missile launch tubes to modern wireless configurations. The assembly line is configured to remanufacture 400 parts per month. Cobham receives legacy launch tubes and completes receiving inspection to identify remanufacturing candidates, 5-axis machining, harness re-wiring and acceptance testing, aluminum hydro-forming, pressure testing, surface finishing and painting.

JAVELIN Launch Tube

The JAVELIN launch tube consists of a filament wound tube with integrated missile mechanical attachments and electrical harnesses for missile command-launch control. The launch tube also serves as a container and is required to protect the missile during transportation and long term storage. Cobham qualified the lightweight composite launch tube as a second source under contract to Raytheon Missile Systems. Cobham designed and qualified a lean assembly line and delivered over 400 composite launch containers on schedule.