Air launching is the practice of releasing a rocket, missile, parasite aircraft or other aircraft payload from a mother ship or launch aircraft. The payload craft or missile is often tucked under the wing of the larger mother ship and then "dropped" while in flight. It may also be stored within a bomb bay, beneath the main fuselage or even on the back of the carrier aircraft, as in the case of the D-21 drone. Air launching provides several advantages over ground launching, giving the smaller craft an altitude and range boost, while saving it the weight of the fuel and equipment needed to take off on its own.
A Boeing X-43 being air launched from under the wing of a B-52 Stratofortress.
A Sopwith Camel secured beneath the British HM Airship 23r.
A parasite aircraft is a component of a composite aircraft which is carried aloft and air launched by a larger carrier aircraft or mother ship to support the primary mission of the carrier. The carrier craft may or may not be able to later recover the parasite during flight.
An F-84 Thunderjet hooked on a FICON trapeze beneath its mother ship
Bristol Scout on Porte Baby
A Sopwith 2F.1 Camel secured under the British HM Airship 23r
A Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk attached by a "skyhook" to USS Macon.
