Launcher Collection (#2)

A British soldier carrying a MATADOR light anti-tank weapon
A British soldier with a MATADOR light anti-tank weapon slung over his shoulder

The Multi-Purpose Protected Vehicle Dingo II used by the Belgian Army
The Multi-Purpose Protected Vehicle (MPPV) Dingo II used by the Belgian Army

The MATADOR light anti-tank weapon (NLAW)

U. S. Marines make an inventory of weapons found on a cache site
March 16, 2007 - U.S. Marines make an inventory of weapons found on a cache site at Camp Fallujah, Iraq

A gunner firing a BGM-71 TOW missile
February 17, 2010 - A driver fires a BGM-71 Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided Missile (TOW) at Training Area Lava at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California

A RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile is launched from USS Boxer
Pacific Ocean, July 18, 2013 - A RIM-7P Sea Sparrow missile is launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) during a missile firing exercise

U. S. Marine fires an M136 AT4 light anti-armor weapon
U.S. Marine fires an M136 AT4 light anti-armor weapon at a target during fire and maneuver training near Camp Bucca, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom

Silhouette of a Mk 19 automatic grenade launcher
Baqubah, Iraq - Silhouette of a Mk 19 automatic grenade launcher

U. S. Army soldiers prepare to move a Patriot Air Defense Missile System
July 25, 2009 - U.S. Army soldiers prepare to move a Patriot Air Defense Missile System to a different location on an undisclosed base in Southwest Asia

A 40 mm grenade flies from the muzzle of a MK-19 automatic grenade launcher
June 13, 2006 - A 40 mm grenade flies from the muzzle of a MK-19 automatic grenade launcher at a range near Camp Fallujah, Iraq

Demonstration of the Mistral surface to air launcher in use by the Belgian Army

A soldier tests his skill with the tube launched, optically tracked, wire guided missile system (TOW)

An RQ-7B Shadow unmanned aerial vehicle on its launcher
March 7, 2011 - An RQ-7B Shadow unmanned aerial vehicle on a trailer-mounted pneumatic launcher at Hurlburt Field, Florida, during Emerald Warrior 2011

A soldier fires the FIM-92 Stinger missile at the MQM-170 Outlaw drone plane. The FIM-92 Stinger is a personal portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile

Silhouette of soldiers operating a BGM-71 TOW guided missile system
December 8, 2010 - U.S. Marine instructor and Japanese Ground Self Defense Force members work during Forest Light, an exercise with a a tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided

A Marine fires the M-32 Multiple shot Grenade Launcher
A grenade appears as a speck against a bleak sandstorm sky near Fallujah, Iraq, where Marines fired the M-32 Multiple shot Grenade Launcher

U. S. Marines fire several high-explosive rockets in the Middle East
June 27, 2010 - U.S. Marines fire several high-explosive rockets using MK153 shoulder-launched, multipurpose assault weapons during a mechanized raid while training in the Middle East

A TOW missile is launched from an armored vehicle
Soldiers from 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, launch a TOW missile during TOW gunnery training at Yakima Training Center

Marines fire a BGM-71 TOW missile
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California a Marines fire a BGM-71 Tube-launched, Optically-tracked

U. S. Army soldiers firing an FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missile
U.S. Army soldiers firing an FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missile

The gun mounted on top of the Dingo II armoured vehicle, used by the Belgian Army

Soldiers fire a TOW missile at Grafenwoehr training area
August 29, 2012 - Soldiers fire a TOW missile during a range mission at Grafenwoehr training area

An assaultman fires a Rocket Propelled Grenade
July 7, 2010 - An assaultman fires a Rocket Propelled Grenade-7 during a live-fire exercise with Bulgarian army soldiers at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria

Soldier Holds a Stinger Anti-Aircraft Guided Missile

An Australian Scan Eagle launches from Ali Air Base, Iraq
December 28, 2007 - An Australian Scan Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle launches from Ali Air Base, Iraq

High dynamic range photo of an AH-64D Apache Longbow Block III attack helicopter
High dynamic range image of a stationary AH-64D Apache Longbow Block III attack helicopter

Belgian paratroopers under attack

A Marine loads 40 mm grenades during a training exercise at Camp Fallujahs Eagle Range

An MIM-104 Patriot missile is test fired

The Dingo 2 MPPV used by the Belgian Army

German Patriot surface-to-air missile system, Neuberg, Germany

U. S. Army soldiers power-up a MIM-104 Patriot Missile System
August 29, 2009 - U.S. Army soldiers power-up a MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia

An AH-64D Apache Longbow Block III on the flight line at Camp Speicher
An AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter sits on the flight line at Camp Speicher

A U. S. Army Patriot surface-to-air M901 missile launcher in Kuwait
A U.S. Army four-round Patriot surface-to-air M901 missile launcher deployed near Camp Doha in the desert of Kuwait. The launcher station is mounted on an Oshkosh palletized load system

A MIM-104 Patriot anti-aircraft missile is fired during a training exercise

Soldiers fire a rocket propelled grenade at opposing forces
Hohenfels, Germany, October 23, 2011 - Polish soldiers allied with U.S. Army Europes 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, fire a rocket propelled grenade at an opposing forces vehicle during Joint

An RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aerial vehicle ready to launch
April 4, 2011 - An RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is ready to launch from its trailer-mounted pneumatic catapult at an airfield near Wellton, Arizona

U. S. Army Rangers fire an AT-4 at a range on Camp Roberts
January 26, 2014 - U.S. Army Rangers fire an AT-4 at a range on Camp Roberts, California

A RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile launches from USS Abraham Lincoln
Pacific Ocean, August 13, 2007 - A RIM-7P NATO Sea Sparrow Missile launches from Sea Sparrow Mount Four aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)

The direct-lay method of firing mortars
The Marines employed the direct-lay method of firing mortars, which consists of using the mortars sights and using observers to verify range and determine correct impact location

A U. S. Marine fires a Mark 19-3 40mm grenade launcher during Javelin Thrust 2010
June 18, 2010 - A U.S. Marine fires a Mark 19 40mm grenade launcher while participating in convoy operations during Javelin Thrust 2010 at a range outside Hawthorne, Nevada

A ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle is launched from its catapult
May 20, 2011 - A ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle is launched at Schoonover Airfield, Fort Hunter Liggett, California, in support of Global Medic 2011

Missile on display at Alamogordo Space Museum, New Mexico

A German Army Patriot surface-to-air missile system

MIM-104 Patriot missile launcher, Kadena Air Base, Japan
U.S. Army Patriot Missile operator simulates unlocking the launcher caps during a field training exercise on Kadena Air Base, Japan

U. S. Marines employ an AT-4 light anti-armor weapon during live-fire training
March 18, 2014 - U.S. Marines employ an AT-4 light anti-armor weapon during a live-fire training exercise as part of Realistic Urban Training Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise (RUTMEUEX)

High dynamic range image of a stationary Kiowa OH-58D helicopter

Marines patrol the Australian outback
March 17, 2006 - Marines patrol the rugged Australian outback near Townsville during a four-day training exercise

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A launcher, a powerful tool that propels various objects into the vast expanse of space or towards specific targets on Earth. From military applications to scientific expeditions, these machines have played a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the world and beyond. One such example is the Brimstone air-to-ground missile mounted on a triple launcher. With its precision targeting capabilities, it ensures maximum impact while minimizing collateral damage. In another realm entirely, we witness the Buran space shuttle gracefully descending for landing. The culmination of an awe-inspiring mission, this moment showcases the remarkable engineering behind these spacecraft launchers. Speaking of scientific endeavors, we cannot overlook the XMM-Newton telescope deployment. As it unfurls its intricate mechanisms in space, it opens up new frontiers for astronomers to explore and unravel mysteries hidden within our universe. Meanwhile, back on Earth, we find ourselves captivated by the Martin TM-61C Matador immediately prior to launch. This ground-based launcher stands tall and ready to deliver its payload with utmost precision and force. Zooming out from individual launches, an overall view and cut-away diagram reveal the sheer complexity of systems within an Ariane 5 launcher, and is a testament to human ingenuity as we strive for greater heights in space exploration. Taking a step back in time brings us to World War I when French Mortars were employed as devastating weapons against enemy forces. These launchers unleashed destruction upon their targets with unparalleled firepower. Moving forward again through history's timeline brings us artwork depicting an Ariane 5 rocket deploying payloads into orbit around our planet. A mesmerizing sight that symbolizes humanity's quest for knowledge and progress through technological advancements. The Ariane series of launchers continues to evolve over time; each iteration building upon previous successes while pushing boundaries further than ever before. Artwork showcasing this evolution serves as inspiration for future generations dreaming of reaching new celestial horizons. Rocket engines roar with power, propelling these launchers into action.