Abstract: An apparatus for and method of laying a minefield in open water uses a high speed air-cushion vehicle that transports substantial quantities of mines to a target area. It then deploys the mines while it is rapidly moving, d marks and records the location of each deployed mine with GPS equipment. Mines can be emplaced at speeds and rates much greater than conventional surface ships. The speed of high speed aircushion vehicle makes it less vulnerable to attack during operations, and it is less vulnerable to other mines it may encounter during a mission. The GPS on high speed air-cushion vehicle ensures an accurate and detailed record of location of the minefield. The high speed air-cushion vehicle has much greater lift capability than aircraft used in mining missions, and, therefore, can deliver a much larger payload per sortie (under all weather conditions) while creating the minefield.

Abstract: A device for positioning a spring-loaded or sliding mechanism includes a oting lever and a fixed support arm in a substantially parallel and adjacent relationship to the spring-loaded or slide mechanism. The lever incorporates a hollowed-out portion that receives one end of the spring-loaded or slide mechanism and a portion of the support arm therein. The spring-loaded or slide mechanism is hingedly coupled to the lever at the hollowed-out portion. The hollowed-out portion is further sized to allow the support arm to pass therethough. A latch mechanism is incorporated in part on the support arm and in part on the lever at the hollowed-out portion. In use, the lever moves the spring-loaded or slide mechanism between a first position and a second position as the lever is supported by the support arm passing through the hollowed-out portion. The latch mechanism can be engaged to maintain the spring-loaded or slide mechanism in at least one of the first and second positions.

Abstract: A tapered shear stop has rigid tapered shear stud and tapered polyurethane overing that both have rounded outer surfaces. The tapered shear stop is mounted in a bracket to withstand steady state and impacting loads from a boom and to shear through a reduced section in the stud that is located next to the bracket to prevent bending or transmitting other damage to the bracket when excessive loads are encountered. Differently sized shear stops, or more than one shear stop can be used to protect associated mechanical structure from damage.

Abstract: A magneto-inductive submarine communication system and buoy provide two-way signal communications between a submerged craft, such as a submarine and remote command station that may be airborne, on the surface, or on land. A buoy released from the submarine and floating on the surface of the ocean and a satellite is included to complete the bidirectional communications. Messages and commands between the submerged craft and the buoy are communicated by magneto-inductive message signals and magneto-inductive command signals in the extremely low frequency (ELF) to very low frequency (VLF) range of less than 3000 Hz. Message and command communications between the buoy and the satellite (or aircraft, or helicopter, or surface ship), and the satellite to the station are transferred via radio frequency (RF) signals or laser emissions.

Abstract: A method is provided to automatically control a cranes's rider block lifte and taglines. Current position of the crane's rider block is determined in terms of its horizontal and vertical coordinates, as well as in terms of the inhaul angle of the liftline. A matrix is then generated that defines i) incremental change in the rider block's horizontal coordinate with respect to incremental change in each of the boom angle, a length of the liftline and a length of the taglines, ii) incremental change in the vertical coordinate with respect to incremental change in each of the boom angle and lengths of the liftline and taglines, and iii) incremental change in the sine of the inhaul angle with respect to incremental change in each of the boom angle and lengths of the liftline and taglines. A vector defining velocity criteria for the rider block is provided. The velocity criteria is defined in terms of horizontal motion of the rider block, vertical motion of the rider block and rate of change of the inhaul angle.

Abstract: An afocal lens system is provided between two different mediums having dirent indices of refraction and dispersion values, and is used in such devices as diver-masks. The lateral chromatic aberration inherent in the usual flat-surface of a transparent protecting mask is greatly reduced. This is done by an arrangement which combines a positive low dispersion lens with a negative high dispersion lens in various arrangements with each other.

Abstract: A platform, breakwater, or endless track includes an array of molded cells nterconnected by a system of elongate flexible members, such as wire ropes or lines. The molded cells are cast in molds located at overlapping portions of the cables. The molds may be flexible nylon bags having openings for receiving the cables through them and a fill port to receive material. The molds may be retained on cast cells or removed and reused. A buoyant material, such as expanding self-hardening foam is pumped from foam mixing and pumping equipment into the molds to cast the cells for floating on water, although negatively buoyant cells could be cast for some applications. The cells may be cast on site or elsewhere and then transported to the work site. The cables either can be secured or free running in the molded cells.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from surf zones comprising an elongated enerally cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end, the housing encasing a fuse positioned inside of the first end and a compartment containing a gas generating compound positioned inside of the second end, the fuse detonationally attached to the compound and being capable of causing the compound to initiate burn, the compound having a burn time which is capable of producing sufficient amounts of gas capable of rupturing the housing with the burning of the compound. A method for clearing obstruction which provides the device, interring the device within the subsoil proximate to the obstructions, and, detonating the compound wherein a burning of the compound forms sufficient amounts of gas to rupture the housing and sunder subsoil support of the obstructions effective to clear the obstructions also is disclosed.

Abstract: A lens system is adaptable to face masks for divers and camera windows and ssures improved viewing characteristics underwater, including unit magnification and substantially perspective distortion-free viewing over a wider field of view. The system includes a first lens having a concave outer face contacting water and a concave inner face contacting a gas filled interior. A second lens spaced apart from the first lens in the interior has a convex outer surface and a flat inner surface. The concave outer face and concave inner face of the first lens and the convex outer surface and flat an inner surface of the second lens are coaxially aligned and optically oriented to afocally process and transmit light passing through them to a nodal point in the interior. At least one of the outer face, concave inner face, convex outer surface and inner surface defines an aspheric curve.

Abstract: A reusable gas-powered hand grenade is provided. A hand-held housing defi one or more launch tubes. A projectile is loaded in each launch tube with an obturator being positioned therein between the projectile and the launch tube's muzzle end. A sealed reservoir is maintained in the housing for storing a gas under pressure. A rupturing device is mounted in the housing for breaking the reservoir's seal upon impact therewith. A triggering mechanism coupled to the rupturing device maintains separation between the rupturing device and the seal until the triggering mechanism is activated. Once activated, the triggering mechanism moves the rupturing device to impact the seal so that gas pressure propels the projectile and obturator from the launch tube.

Abstract: A method is presented for detecting a body at sea. A lidar system provided nboard an aircraft transmits radiation at a wavelength in the blue/green region of the energy spectrum towards the surface of the sea. The lidar system is tuned to receive return reflections occurring over a specified wavelength range. A shaped area located near the body is designed to inhibit any return reflections that would be detectable by the lidar system. The shaped area defines a shape that is abnormal for the area of the sea being searched and defines a size that is larger than the body. The presence of the body is indicated by a null return corresponding to the shape and size of the shaped area.

Abstract: A sonobuoy device for tracking and targeting submarines. The sonobuoy dev comprises a sonobuoy having aft and forward sections interconnected with each other, fin means mounted on the aft section for flight stabilization of the device during travel above water from the platform, separation means responsive to impact of the device with the water upon completion of the travel thereof for separating the sections of the device from each other, payload means within the forward section of the device for listening for an acoustical signal in response to submergence thereof within the water following the separation of the sections of the device, flotation means mounted within the device and inflated in response to the impact with the water for anchoring the payload means and tethering means connecting the flotation means to the payload means for limiting the submergence thereof while anchored by the flotation means to a predetermined depth at which the payload means receives an acoustical signal.

Abstract: An electrical power supply arrangement incorporates a turbine-generator ambly providing a self-contained non-battery electrical power source for supplying power to a breathing apparatus. The turbine-generator assembly is interposed in an air hose extending between first and second stage pressure regulators respectively connected to a pressurized air cylinder and to a cooling device of the breathing apparatus. The assembly includes an air turbine and an electrical generator disposed and coupled in tandem relationship to one another and enclosed in an elongated hollow housing. Pressurized air introduced into the turbine end of the housing expands across turbine blades and rotatably drives a central shaft of the turbine which, in turn, rotates a central rotor of the generator causing generation of electrical power in a stationary stator of the generator which surrounds the rotor.

Abstract: An intrusion detector has buried sensor modules arranged along a perimeter o sense seismic vibrations caused by intrusions within the area defined by the perimeter. The sensor modules transmit data representative of the intrusions via magneto-inductive signals in the ELF to VLF range through ground, air, and/or water to at least one buried relay module within the area. The relay modules transmit RF signals representative of the intrusion data via a camouflaged RF antenna to mobil or fixed stations for appropriate action. Transmission of magneto-inductive signals in the ELF to VLF range is clandestine and reliable, and locations of buried sensor modules and relay modules are not revealed to intruders to reduce the possibility of evasion or tampering. The sensor modules may have sensor elements sensitive to humans, vehicles, and low flying aircraft to give enforcement officers the opportunity to better utilize their resources where the intrusions are occurring.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for placing, for example, a line charge set under he surface of the water from a moving watercraft. A rigid arm has a first end and a second end with the first end being rotatably coupled to the watercraft to permit rotation of the arm about the first end such that the second end is free to rotate into the water when the arm is not restrained. The second end is positioned forward of the first end with respect to a direction of travel of the watercraft. In this way, gravitational forces and hydrodynamic forces act on the arm to cause rotation of the arm about the first end. A releasable coupler couples a drogue to the second end and releases the drogue when the second end is in the water. The line charge set is tethered to the drogue and is pulled into the water as the watercraft continues on its course.

Abstract: A liquid-insulated garment supplements the inherent thermal protection va of traditional suit insulations in conventional passive diving suits with bladders containing insulating liquids having substantially the same densities as water and thermal conductivities of less than 0.070 Btu/ft-hr.degree. F. to provide insulation from ambient cold. The additional thermal protection created by the liquid-insulated garment helps the diver surpass the performance and acceptable duration constraints imposed by conventional drysuits or wetsuits and allows easy adjustments to the level of thermal comfort required by the diver. It additionally reduces the inherent buoyant forces associated with conventional drysuits and wetsuits, and provides uniform thermal protection over the entire surface of the diver's body since it is tailored to fit the diver.

Abstract: An elongate fabric sleeve functions as the load bearing strength member for rocket deployed line charge of explosive charges. The fabric sleeve is contoured by seams sewn to form pockets that separate and snugly cradle the explosive charges and to form passageways between adjacent charges which permit free, unhindered motion of a detonating cord in it. The fabric sleeve strength member flexes as the line charge is launched and emplaced to withstand the severe forces associated with deployment of the line charge and prevents damage to the detonating cord to assure reliable deployment and detonation of the explosive charges.

Abstract: An autonomous craft controller system for automated control of operation of landing craft air-cushioned vehicle includes a command processor, a bow thruster controller, a prop pitch controller, and a rudder controller. The command processor receives and processes multiple inputs relating to vehicle heading, location and velocity and, in response thereto, produces multiple outputs relating to vehicle acceleration and vehicle heading, velocity and position error. The bow thruster controller receives and processes as inputs some of the multiple outputs from the command processor and, in response thereto, produces a bow thruster command output. The prop pitch controller receives and processes as inputs some of the multiple outputs from the command processor and, in response thereto, produces port and starboard prop pitch command outputs.

Abstract: An air-deliverable global positioning system (GPS) position marking device nd method involves the operations of providing an air-deliverable GPS position marking device, launching the device into flight through the air to a desired location, arming the device in response to launching the device into flight, firing a detonation mechanism contained in the device when the device is at the desired location after receipt of a magneto-inductive transmission so as to generate a predetermined pressure in an interior chamber of the device that causes ejection of a payload assembly from the interior chamber, initiates inflation of an inflatable flotation body of the payload assembly, and initiates communications between a GPS receiver and transmitter unit in the payload assembly and a remote station to determine the position of the position marking device at the desired location.

Abstract: A lighting device has light stick(s) housed in a hand-held receptacle. The nternal surface areas of the hand-held receptacle are reflective. An opening is formed in the hand-held receptacle such that illumination generated by the light stick(s) is transmitted via the opening. The device can be made entirely of non-magnetic materials for use in clandestine underwater operations. The opening can be sealed with an optically transparent cover. Valves can be included to provide an air-filled or evacuated medium surrounding the light stick(s).