Guided missile launchers, such as the LAU-127 missile rail launcher, carry and release guided missiles from a military aerial vehicle. These launchers are classified as either ejection- or rail-type launchers. Ejection type launchers use cartridge-generated gas pressure fired in the launcher breech to separate the weapon from the vehicle. The missile motor is then set off at a safe distance underneath the aircraft. Rail-type launchers are usually attached to the wing hard points. Rail-type launchers make it possible o activate the missile motor while the weapon is still connected to the store. After the motor fires, the thrust generated overpowers the weapon restraining device, and the missile is launched from the aircraft. A tube-type launcher is a variation of the rail-type launcher. Tube-type missile launchers hold missile in launch tubes until the missile motor is set off. The weapon then releases from the tube similar to the firing of aircraft-mounted rockets.
