Invention is a launcher mount for a plurality of a box-like missile cells unted in replaceable clusters on each side of a compact turret. Cluster assemblies suitable for missile configurations of different types, sizes and weights may be quickly and simply mounted on and detached from the turret. The turret includes the azimuth and elevation drive and control mechanisms. These are externally mounted on the turret in easily accessible locations and are completely enclosed for protecting the functional components thereof. The launcher may be slewed in azimuth and elevation at fast rates so that missiles in the cells may be fired along a preferred trajectory at desired intervals. Individual cells are water and gas tight for protecting missiles therein from rocket blast effects and from adverse climatic conditions. When mounted on shipboard, the entire launcher may be positioned above deck in any desired location.

A launcher carried on the flatbed of a mobile vehicle to provide the dual le of missile transporter and pre-launch positioning of its multi-missile payload. The launcher is not trainable in azimuth or elevation. When emplaced the launcher carriage erects the missiles to substantially a 75.degree. launch angle and a missile is fired from a combination launch tube shipping container by a small propellant charge and uses its own control to put it on the proper trajectory. Missile motor ignition is delayed for a predetermined time after launch.

A rocket retention assembly for use with a rocket launcher and rockets provided with outwardly extending shear rings at their rear ends. Each rocket is provided with a conducting ring extending about the periphery of its rear end. The assembly includes a first support plate for engaging the shear ring when the rocket is placed in the firing position in the rocket launcher and preventing forward displacement of the ring from the firing position. This support plate has a loading hole for each launch tube formed therein. A second support plate engages the shear ring when the rocket is in the firing position and prevents rearward displacement of the shear ring from the firing position. This second support plate has an opening formed therein for each launch tube of the rocket launcher, each opening being located at the rear end of a rocket in a launch tube. An electrical conducting finger for each launch tube is attached to the second support plate and is connected to an electrical plug, also attached to the second support plate. For each electrical plug, there is a corresponding electrical socket attached to the first support plate. By simply placing the rockets in their respective launch tubes and orienting the second support plate with respect to the first support plate in such manner that the electrical plugs are electrically connected to their respective electrical sockets when the second support plate engages the shear rings, the conducting fingers are automatically placed in contact with the conducting rings of the rockets.

A shape cutting system for cutting a material having a surface. The shape cutting system includes a cutting unit and at least one template. The cutting unit includes a frame, a blade adjustment assembly and a blade assembly are coupled to the frame. The blade assembly is positioned at least partially within the frame such that a longitudinal axis of the blade assembly is substantially perpendicular to a lower support surface of the frame. The blade assembly includes a blade retainer and a blade connected to the retainer. A rigid collar of the retainer is configured to operatively engage at least one of a periphery and the edge of an opening of the template thereby enabling the blade to cut a shape in the cutting material which assimilates the shape of at least a portion of the at least one of the periphery and the edge.