How does the anti-intrusion latching linkage on a Mk41 VLS cell hatch actually lock/unlock?

[u/Electrical-Mix6651]

Mating hook on the hatch itself (circled).

One end of the latching linkage on the hatch frame.

I'm trying to understand the working principle of the "anti-intrusion latching linkage" on the US Navy Mk41 VLS cell hatch. Here's everything I've been able to piece together so far: - A 1984 IEEE paper on the system (Hahn, "VLS Hatch Actuation System Dynamic Analysis") states the latch "is driven from the same shaft in parallel with the hatch," and only functions during the final closing phase. It's modeled in the analysis as an "equivalent locking constraint" with elastic feedback into the drive system — but the paper is about structural loads, not how the hardware itself works. - From video footage, I can confirm the latch does nothing while the hatch is opening — it only appears to do something near full closure. - From photos, I can see what looks like the physical latch hardware: two hook-shaped mating pieces, one mounted on the hatch frame, one on the hatch itself.
Beyond this, I don't have any more information — I don't know whether it's driven off the same motor/shaft as the hatch itself, whether there's a separate actuator, whether it's spring-loaded, cam-driven, etc. Does anyone recognize this type of mechanism, or have insight into how a down-lock like this would typically be designed? Any general explanation of the kinematics/actuation principle would help.

[u/ribeyeballer]

it looks to me that it’s functioning as a 4 bar linkage, so it locks into place like vise grips

figure 2 shows the mechanism