Air launch - Definition and Overview

A Boeing X-43 being air launched from under the wing of a B-52 Stratofortress.

Air Launching is the practice of dropping a parasite aircraft or missile from a mothership. The parasite aircraft or missile is usually is tucked under the wing of the larger mothership and then "dropped" from underneath the wing while in flight. Usually the dropped craft/missile will then fire its own engines or rockets and propel away from the mothership.

See also

Parasite aircraft

Parasite fighter

Captive carry