Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for launching an anautical vehicle from a submerged platform such as a submarine. The system includes a buoy configured to be deployed from a launching tube onboard the submerged platform, which buoy contains the aeronautical vehicle to be launched. The system further includes a gas generator for creating a pressure force which causes the buoy with the encapsulated aeronautical vehicle to be deployed from the launch platform. Once deployed, the buoy inflates a buoyancy device for putting the buoy in a partially submerged position and damping plates for resisting vertical movement of the buoy and wave motion. The buoy has a ballast arrangement for maintaining it in a substantially vertical orientation. The buoy further has an antenna for receiving commands to launch the aeronautical vehicle.

Abstract: A mine placement system is provided for determining mine launch parameters ased on launcher vehicle position, speed, and direction and on latitude. The system includes an input module for receiving launcher vehicle position, speed, and direction having a settable aim point. The input module is connected to a processor module which continuously calculates the trajectory of the mine as the launch ship maneuvers. The processor module having a vectorizer, a decoder, a time processing unit and gyroprocessing unit drives a launch display having steering cursors and a range display. The steering cursors and range display provide maneuver information to the ship's operator to steer the ship to a launch window which will allow a mine to deploy to the set aim point. In addition to displaying the set aim point, the display also shows the present actual mine placement point based on the launch ships present location and velocity. Whenever a mine is launched, the system records the actual mine placement point.

Abstract: A method for recording operational data relating to submarine operations is provided including means for playing back the recorded data thereby proing a near real time playback and analysis for the submarine's crew and/or shore based facilities.

Abstract: A submarine has a forward pressure hull, an aft pressure hull, and a third pressure hull vessel which is connectable to each of the forward and the aft pressure hulls, wherein the submarine is provided with an array of tubes suitable for launching missiles, the tubes being disposed between the forward and the aft pressure hulls, generally around or adjacent to the center of buoyancy of the submarine.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for attaching one or more unmanned, hydroamically shaped, autonomous, undersea platforms to the bow of a submarine. An array of depressions, each matching the shape of the platforms, is provided in the bow of the submarine, equally spaced about the circumference of the submarine. Once seated in the depressions and attached to the submarine, the platforms provide a smooth, hydrodynamic shape to the bow of the submarine. Additionally, conformal arrays on the platforms mate with conformal arrays on the bow of the submarine to form a continuous conformal array and the platforms' weapons systems provide the submarine with forward deployed weapons when the platforms are attached. A platform is launched by detaching it from the submarine bow and raising the leading edge of the platform slightly into the water flow around the bow. Hydrodynamic forces lift the platform away from the submarine for an acoustically quiet launch.

Abstract: A combination torpedo tube test plug and muzzle door for a torpedo tube iudes a circumferential land formed at an extreme muzzle end of the torpedo tube. The circumferential land has an inner peripheral diameter less than an inner peripheral diameter of the torpedo tube, and an inner peripheral transition surface contiguously joining the inner peripheral surface of the torpedo tube. An abutting face is formed on an end of the muzzle door facing the circumferential land. A lip extension extends from the abutting face. The lip extension includes an outer peripheral surface mating with the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential land, and a device for selectively securing the lip extension to the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential land, wherein separation of the muzzle door from the torpedo tube is prevented.

Abstract: A device for ejecting a weapon from a submergible launch tube includes a nt door and a rear door. The device has an inner tube inside the launch tube and shaped to receive a weapon. The device also has holder elements for holding the inner tube in the launch tube and a pump device for circulating fluid between a front and a rear of the launch tube and the inner tube at a high flowrate.

Abstract: An unmanned undersea vehicle system comprises a remote-controlled, unmanned ndersea vehicle and a mother vehicle interconnected by a communication link. The unmanned undersea vehicle includes a weapon compartment and a control element. Within the weapon compartment are a weapon and buoyancy chamber positioned axi-symmetrically therein. The buoyancy chamber is initially empty and has sufficient capacity so that it can be loaded with seawater whose mass approximates mass of the weapon. The weapon compartment further includes a controllable valve for enabling seawater surrounding the vehicle to fill the buoyancy chamber. The control element controls the deployment of the weapon by expelling the weapon from the weapon compartment and thereafter controls the firing of the weapon. The control element further controls the valves during weapon deployment to enable filling of the buoyancy chamber to maintain a predetermined distribution of mass as the weapon is deployed.

Abstract: An unmanned undersea vehicle system comprises an axi-symmetrical cylindrily-shaped self-propelled undersea deployment vehicle of predetermined diameter, the undersea deployment vehicle having an amidships undersea weapon compartment. The weapon compartment includes elements for receiving a weapon and a buoyancy chamber positioned axi-symmetrically within the weapon compartment. The buoyancy chamber is initially empty and has sufficient capacity so that it can be loaded with seawater whose mass approximates the mass of the weapon. The weapon compartment further includes controllable valves for enabling seawater surrounding the vehicle to fill the buoyancy chamber. A control element controls the deployment of the weapon by expelling the weapon from the weapon compartment and thereafter controlling the firing of the weapon, contemporaneously controlling the valves during weapon deployment to enable filling of the buoyancy chamber to maintain an axi-symmetrical distribution of mass as the weapon is deployed.

Abstract: An expendable autonomous underwater vehicle is deployed from a trash disposal unit of a submarine into a body of water. The vehicle and one or more launch-aiding components are inserted into the trash disposal in an arrangement that results in safe and reliable deployment from the trash disposal unit. The launch-aiding components keep the vehicle in a predetermined orientation within the trash disposal unit prior to deployment and protect the trash disposal unit from damage. The launch-aiding components also aid the vehicle in ejecting from the trash disposal unit and descending into the body of water to a depth at which the vehicle can begin its autonomous operation. In general, the vehicle must be a safe distance away from the submarine before it begins operation. The launch-aiding components fall away from the vehicle in the body of water as the vehicle descends thereinto.

Abstract: A submarine launched unmanned aerial vehicle comprises an elongated genery cylindrically-shaped body. Tail fins are stored in the body and are self-deployable to extend outwardly from the body. A booster motor is fixed to an aft end of the body and is self-releasable from the body. A propeller is disposed at the aft end of the body and is self-deployable to an exposed position at the aft end of the body after release of the booster motor. A propulsion motor is mounted in the body and is operative to drive the propeller. Rotors are stored in the body and are self-deployable to an exposed position wherein the rotors provide lift to the vehicle.

Abstract: A grate for a torpedo tube flow slot consists of a rigid metal frame and a ire chain link structure extending across the interior area of the frame. The chain link structure significantly reduces the surface area of the grate and permits greater flow through the flow slots. The dimensions of the frame are preferably larger than the flow area so that the frame structure does not block the flow path.

Abstract: A submarine arrangement comprising a double hull construction forward having a wasp waist section minimizes ship displacement and permits storage of weapons in the wasp waist section.

Abstract: A torpedo tube and slide valve assembly includes a torpedo tube having a rality of circumferentially spaced slots therein and an impulse tank surrounding the torpedo tube wherein the slots provide a flow path between the impulse tank and the interior of the torpedo tube. A cylindrical slide valve is slidably received on the outer surface of the torpedo tube but inside the impulse tank. The slide valve is slidably movable inside the impulse tank between a first position wherein the slide valve covers the slots and a second position wherein the slots are uncovered. The impulse tank includes a cylindrical sleeve portion which extends in a breechward direction to accommodate movement of the slide valve within the impulse tank. Circumferential sealing gaskets are preferably secured on the outside surface of the torpedo tube at each end of the slots for providing spaced circumferential seals between the torpedo tube outer surface and the slide valve inner surface.

Abstract: An unmanned underwater vehicle recovery device being joinable with the brh of an existing torpedo tube. The recovery device comprises a plurality of concentric tubes which telescope through the torpedo tube to the exterior of the hull of a submarine to provide a mechanism for aligning the recovered unmanned underwater vehicle with the torpedo tube launchway. A recovery vehicle is held within the recovery device by a deployable tether. During recovery the recovery vehicle is launched from the recovery device in the torpedo tube of the submarine. The recovery vehicle travels out and mates with a coupling at the rear of the unmanned underwater vehicle. The tether is retracted and joined recovery vehicle/unmanned underwater vehicle is pulled into the torpedo tube launchway. The concentric tubes are retracted and the unmanned underwater vehicle is left in the torpedo tube.

Abstract: A support system for submarine weapons. Fore and aft support structures iude a plurality of vertically oriented channels spaced to engage rollers on the ends of the saddles that engage and support a weapon on diametrically opposed sides of the weapon. Locking structures position the ends of the saddle in the supporting structure. A crane mechanism can selectively engage the saddles and elevate the weapon into the crane for transport to a loading structure. Upon use of a column of weapons, the saddles can be stored horizontally allowing other operations in the storage space between the support structures.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and device for removing weapon stowage trays particularly adapted to reconfiguration of a submarine weapon room. The device and method comprise of an adapter plate which is attachable to a shipping beam. The shipping beam is used to transport and enable the engagement of the adapter tray to a weapon tray to thereby allow the removal and transfer of the weapon tray.

Abstract: An air venting device is provided in a container with a sealed closure sucted to uncontrolled oscillations and designed to be filled by water. The air venting device includes an outside tube with a water presence indicator and an isolating valve to close off the outside tube in response to the water presence indicator and an inside tube with two open ends located at two different points in the container. One of the ends of the inside tube is fitted with a closure flap to close off the opening of the tube once the water in the container reaches a predetermined level through the action of a float. This end allows the air to enter even when the container is subjected to oscillations and so long as it is not completely full. This air venting device may be used in torpedo tubes of a submarine, for example.

Abstract: An adaptive trajectory apparatus and method provide vehicle control comma to steer an underwater vehicle launched from a vessel towards a contact. A plurality of measured/estimated position and motion parameters associated with the contact are provided. The contact parameters also include information on quality and alertment status. The contact parameters are compared with an information matrix that defines a plurality of trajectory strategies and data parameters required to effect each of the trajectory strategies. A trajectory strategy is defined as a candidate trajectory strategy when the required data parameters are included in the measured/estimated contact parameter set. An expert system periodically selects a unique possible trajectory strategy based upon a predetermined set of rules that utilize the received contact parameters, quality thereof, contact alertment status and vehicle state information received from the underwater vehicle.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for a submarine balanced ejection system incing upper and lower launch tubes and upper and lower launch tube ejection systems, the assembly including a hull insert fixed in the pressure hull of the submarine and having first and second openings therein, a valve spool rotatably mounted and having ports therein selectively alignable with the first and second openings and with the upper and lower launch tubes and upper and lower launch tube ejection systems.

Abstract: A covert attacking swimmer is discovered and acquired by an echo-search aratus. Once acquired, a search and destruct vehicle type weapon is launched which seeks out the attacking swimmer and when in range therewith shoots him with lethal electric fields or spears.

Abstract: A densely packaged torpedo tube hull liner cluster for use in a pressure l of a submarine, the cluster comprising a rigid I-beam having first and second flanges interconnected by a web portion, and having an end block fixed to either end of the beam. The flanges and the end blocks are provided with oppositely disposed seats of respective first and second radii therein. A first torpedo tube liner having a radius substantially equal to the first radius is fixed to the beam flanges and end blocks in a first of the seats, and a second torpedo tube liner having a radius substantially equal to the second radius is fixed to the beam flanges and end blocks in a second of the seats. The beam is disposed between the first and second liners and is adapted for attachment to a submarine pressure hull in an opening therein adapted to receive the beam and liners. Further contemplated, is a method for making the cluster of beam and liners and fixing the cluster to the submarine pressure hull.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that is capable of a rapid firing sequence for an nderwater dual barrel launcher. An air cylinder assembly drives a water piston housed in a water cylinder in either of two opposing piston stroke directions. The water cylinder is continually supplied and balanced with sea pressure. A piston stroke in a first direction pressurizes impulse water in the water cylinder that is then supplied to a first launch tube of the dual barrel launcher. A piston stroke in an opposing second direction again pressurizes impulse water in the water cylinder that is then supplied to a second launch tube. Thus, each opposing piston stroke is a power stroke.

Abstract: An unmanned submarine which is guided to the surface of the water in order to launch an air rocket contained therein and which is provided in its walls with closeable openings for the discharge of the rocket recoil gases into the surrounding water to conduct the impinging recoil gases of a launched air rocket directly out of the submarine. To create a lock for the recoil gas discharge openings which withstands high water pressures and is easily opened in the starting phase of the air rocket, the openings are disposed in the surfaces where the recoil gases impinge on the wall of the submarine, each opening is closed by a cover which is pressed out of the opening by the impinging gases, the seat for the cover in the opening is configured as an inwardly tapered conical surface, and the cover is held in the opening by a transport safety which is released by the action of the pressure of the recoil gases or the cover.

Abstract: A dolly system having a pair of flexible lashing straps which are tightened y a single turnbuckle. The upper clamps to which the lashing straps attach are reversible, one position having an arcuate surface with a contour matching a first weapon diameter, D1, and the other position having an arcuate surface contour matching a second larger weapon diameter, D2. The strap connection point on this double contoured clamp piece permits the same lashing straps to be used for both weapon diameters. Further, each dolly has two reversible bottom clamping pads, each with an arcuate surface contour that selectively matches either the D1 or the D2 weapon diameter. Each bottom pad is held in place with a pivot pin and a position pin, each of which is of a quick release type. The primary advantage of such a dolly system is that storage of present size weapons is relatively unaffected by providing this future growth potential.

Abstract: A mechanical interlock system is disclosed having an interlock segment that s mechanically coupled to the breech door, to the slide valve, and to the muzzle door of an associated torpedo tube in such a way that the interlock segment positively prevents opening, or the initiation of the opening sequence, of the breech door if either the corresponding muzzle door or slide valve for a particular torpedo tube is open, and that positively prevents opening, or the initiation of the opening sequences for, either the corresponding slide valve or muzzle door of a particular torpedo tube, if and as soon as the breech door is free to open, is opened or if its opening sequence is once initiated. The interlock segment and mechanical coupling of the interlock system of the present invention exhibits improved breech door stress performance and reduced manufacturing, inventory, repair and other costs.

Abstract: A three-position submarine torpedo tube shutterway that adapts to one of swimout launch, the ejection launch or the non-launch mode. The shutterway resides within a housing that is located between the muzzleward end of the torpedo tube and an opening in the submarine's hull. The shutterway rotates to accommodate any one of the three modes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a configuration in which bodies, such as, torpedoes, to be delivered, can be held in an additional container inside a torpedo tube in a submarine. This container is in the manner of an interior tube. The annular space, between the torpedo and its tube thereby formed, is used to hold damping elements, which are located individually or over the entire structure of the torpedo, and the annular space is kept free of water by means of appropriate sealing elements. There is another damping element in the rear portion of the container in the torpedo tube.

Abstract: A submarine weapon handling system and method includes a storage tray, ramming tray, and transfer tray. Each tray has a plurality of rotatable bands received in grooves in the trays and are movable between an open weapon receiving position and a closed weapon clamping position. The storage tray and ramming tray are stationary and the transfer tray is movable. The transfer tray is moved into contact with a weapon secured in the storage tray, the bands of the transfer tray are rotated around the weapon, and the bands in the storage tray are rotated from closed to open position permitting the transfer tray to move a selected weapon into the bands of the ramming tray which are then rotated into weapon clamping position while the bands of the transfer tray are opened permitting the transfer tray to be moved away from the ramming tray.

Abstract: A weapon dolly is disclosed for use in a submarine to handle weapons such as torpedos or the like. The dolly includes a base section having an arcuate weapon supporting surface formed from light composite material having a recess formed therein. A composite arcuate band is movable between a weapon clamping position above the base section and a stowed position slidably received within the base section below the weapon supporting surface. Arcuate links and clamp means with an associated positive locking mechanism are provided for clamping the weapon between the band and the base and for quickly releasing the weapon for movement into a launching tube or the like.