Abstract: An air-launched sonobuoy, particularly useful for under-ice surveillance, rries a descent-retardation parachute whose lanyards activate a surface float during descent. Upon impact into an ice region, a slip-rod is jarred loose from the cannister top thus freeing the surface float, and its RF antenna, to remain above the ice while the remainder of the components deploy.

Abstract: A cable-pack winding and payout system is disclosed that will provide a tue-free cable payout from a wound cable pack, such as are found in ocean-deployed buoy packages. Dual feed spools are arranged so that the two halves of the cable can be simultaneously wound onto a single main spool. At time of payout, the pack is inertly payed out from the center or both ends and the payed-out cable has no curls or twists therein.

Abstract: A vehicle steering device is disclosed that can be joined to any air-drop, free-falling component and steers that component directly down to a pre-determined location on the earth's surface. The device is comprised of an aerodynamically-shaped housing that is joined to the front of the component, and which carries orientation means in a nose portion, high-density gravity-reaction means, and steering fins rotatably joined thereto. After the combination is dropped, at a pre-determined altitude and airspeed, the orientation means causes it to assume the most efficient aerodynamic position and then the gravity-reaction means forces the nose, which is joined to and leads the component, to dive into the earth. The reaction means are connected to the fins and force a controlled and predictable descent.

Abstract: A sonobuoy is disclosed which has a linear array of hydrophones horizonta depolyable at sea by a metal hydride jet thruster. The thruster is powered by releasing hydrogen gas from iron-titanium hydride (FeTiH.sub.1.95) and igniting it in a mixture with oxygen generated by reacting sodium peroxide (Na.sub.2 O.sub.2) with the water. The hydride is activated by an electrical heater and the steam generated by the combustion of the hydrogen and oxygen mixture. The thrust is directionally controlled in azimuth and depth by a compass and depth sensor.