Sargent Fletcher, US subsidiary of UK defence contractor Cobham, has been licensed to produce bomb racks using pneumatic ejection technology developed by Boeing's Phantom Works. Pneumatic ejection eliminates pyrotechnics and cuts weight and maintenance, Boeing says. A rack has been flight-tested on a US Navy Boeing F/A-18 Hornet and a multiple-bomb rack on a US Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16. It is being tested by the Royal Australian Air Force on the General Dynamics F-111. Sargent Fletcher is specialized in in-flight refuelling systems like UK Cobham division Flight Refuelling, which is developing its own weapon launcher business.
Source: Flight International
