Abstract: A missile or rocket detent and positive release mechanism, actuated by the rocket's thrustor, is mounted on the outside of a rocket launcher tube. A notched-end (52) of a spring-loaded lever (50) extends into the launch tube for positively locking a rocket (10) into place. One end of a sear (60) extends over the spring lever for maintaining the lever in its locked position. A toggle lever (44) is pivotally connected to the other end of the sear and extends into the blast region of the rocket, whose high speed exhaust gasses cause it to be pivoted out of the way, to withdraw the sear from the spring loaded lever, and thus to permit release of the rocket.