Abstract: The invention is directed to a towing adaptation system for optimizing the pitch attitude, hydrodynamic lift and drag forces on an underwater acoustic vessel. The towing adaptation system an underwater vessel to which is attached a first adapter plate and a second adapter plate, with each adapter plate having a plurality of vertically displaced staged attachment points. Corresponding attachment points of the first and second adapter plates form attachment pairs, with each attachment pair calibrated to provide a desired cable angle, hydrodynamic lift, and drag force, at a predetermined steady-state speed, for optimizing performance.