AUTOMATICALLY PITCH AND YAW RESPONSIVE AIRCRAFT LAUNCHING SYSTEM

A ground vehicle-based aircraft launching system automatically adjusts aircraft pitch and yaw during a ground vehicle-based launching operation, and automatically releases the aircraft upon attainment of a pre-designated lift angle with respect to the ground vehicle and the launching system. The launching system transfers primary thrust direction loads, allowing the aircraft to freely pitch and yaw based on prevailing wind and aerodynamics. A latch mechanism on the launching system moves within both the yaw and pitch directions with the aircraft, and maintains a positive lock on the aircraft prior to its release from the launching system. A yaw mechanism allows passive zeroing of sideslip winds, which in turn may avoid yawing, rolling, and/or yaw-roll coupled induced roll forces.