Abstract: The invention provides a cocoon/launcher for encanistered missiles. The cocoons provide environmental protection and temperature and humidity control for the encanistered missiles. The cocoon/launcher with its mechanical/electrical and conditioned air interface also provides a flexibility that allows missiles to be launched from a variety of ships and locations on ships.

Abstract: A turret is movable in azimuth within a turret support structure and a large caliber cannon is movable in elevation within the turret. An automatic loading mechanism is contained within the turret operating to move fixed ammunition rounds between a turret mounted magazine and the cannon breech. The magazine in one embodiment includes a rotating carousel and a number of rotatable drums mounted thereon. The drums have storage cells for ammunition rounds. A transfer mechanism operates to move the rounds between a transfer position to which each of the cells may be indexed and a loading position aligned with the breech when the cannon is positioned substantially at zero elevation. The transfer mechanism performs magazine load and misfire transfer functions as well. A guide tube is provided, movable between a position aligned with the breech and an out-of-the-way position, for directing spent round cases from the turret upon being ejected from the breech after firing.