EDO’s pneumatic S&RE capability is based on more than a decade of dedicated research and development in the various component technologies that are vital to a successful pneumatic S&RE system.

SIGNIFICANT PNEUMATIC EXPERIENCE
As early as 1986, EDO demonstrated its understanding of pneumatic charged energy sources and energy storage accumulators through the United States Air Force sponsored Alternate Conformal Ejector Rack. ACER successfully demonstrated the viability of a low maintenance, non-pyrotechnic bomb rack that could be buried in aircraft structure without the need for manual access.

AIR FORCE SPONSORED PNEUMATIC DEVELOPMENT
EDO later teamed with Boeing to develop an all pneumatic multi purpose bomb rack and missile ejector for the Air Force’s Armament Lab. This effort, known as Weapons Carriage Technology, was initiated to validate the stunning maintenance, logistic and performance benefits that pneumatics offers over traditional pyrotechnic technology.

WORLD'S FIRST PRODUCTION PNEUMATIC MISSILE LANUCHER
Building on the success of ACER and other internal and contracted development programs, EDO designed, developed, and is currently producing the world’s first pneumatically actuated missile launcher – the LAU-142/A AMRAAM Vertical Ejection Launcher (AVEL). AVEL is capable of suspending and launching missiles from the internal bomb bays of the F/A-22 Raptor without the need for ground based recharging of its pneumatic actuation system.

PNEUMATIC TECHNOLOGY FOR FUTURE AIRCRAFT
More recently EDO’s efforts have focused on developing, building and demonstrating all the essential elements of Pneumatic Suspension and Release Equipment Systems. These elements include the bomb rack itself, the pneumatic energy source manifold and control system logic. We have devoted significant resources to developing such systems for use on advanced applications such as F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), Unmanned Air Vehicles and Small Diameter Bomb. These pneumatic systems take advantage of the elimination of pyrotechnic cartridges, cleaning and the logistics of the cartridges, thereby enhancing life cycle cost and overall system affordability.