Abstract: A case-burning rocket booster includes a combustible case containing a solid rocket fuel, a combustion chamber adjustably coupled to the case for burning the case and the solid rocket fuel, a nozzle connected to the combustion chamber for expelling the burned case and fuel to generate thrust, and a drive system for pulling the combustion chamber and nozzle up the case as the case and fuel burn. A hybrid version of the case-burning rocket also includes an oxygen supply system for supplying varying amounts of oxygen to the combustion chamber to vary the thrust generated by burning the case and the fuel.

Abstract: Missile support cables are passed through cable fitter support blocks, which are ridgidly affixed to the silo, and are swaged to heavy blocks resting upon the support blocks via a canister having ductile mesh therein. Upon a downblast, the cables are maintained in tension due to the low downward acceleration of the heavy blocks, while the support blocks are rapidly downwardly accelerated and upon rebound, smash into the energy absorbing canister which prevents the failure of the cables by controlling excess tension therein.