Abstract: A deployable nose is used on an underwater vehicle to provide a shorter length when in a retracted position and to provide a reduced drag when in the deployed position. The deployable nose includes a plurality of nose sections and a deployment mechanism that moves the plurality of nose sections from the retracted position to the deployed position. The nose sections include a base nose section attached at the end of the underwater vehicle, an outer nose section having a rounded contour, and one or more intermediate nose sections between the base nose section and outer nose section. In the retracted position, the outer nose section and one or more intermediate nose sections are retracted generally within the base nose section. In the deployed position, the outer nose section and intermediate nose sections extend outwardly from the base nose section and interlock proximate the edges of the nose sections to form the deployed nose.

Abstract: A submarine bow dome acoustic sensor assembly comprises an outer hull bow portion, an inner pressure hull wall extending athwartships and in conjunction with the outer hull bow portion defining a free-flood compartment, and an acoustic bow panel disposed in the compartment and connected to the pressure hull wall by acoustically isolating supports. A laser scanner is disposed in the compartment and is oriented so as to project a laser beam onto a surface of the acoustic bow panel, and a sensor is disposed in the compartment and oriented so as to receive reflections of the laser beam off the acoustic panel and to transmit data from which a position of a sound generating source can be determined.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement for a submerged submarine includes an independently unctioning underwater vehicle free of any tethered connection to said submarine, a buoy member having a hydrodynamic shape, an antenna mounted on the buoy member, the antenna enabling collection and transmission of at least global positioning data and radio frequency communications, a releasable connector for securing the buoy member to said underwater vehicle in a primary non-deployed position, and a tether connection the buoy member to the underwater vehicle in a secondary deployed position. Release of the connector deploys the buoy member and the antenna such that the hydrodynamic shape of the buoy member raises the buoy member to a data collection and transmission position at a surface of the water.

Abstract: The subject invention is a rigid sensor array system for an underwater vele having an inner hull and an outer hull. A guide means is positioned between the vehicle's inner and outer hulls, and a sensor array panel is mounted slidably on the guide means. An exit slot is formed in said outer hull allowing the sensor array panel to slide out from between the hulls to a deployed position extending from the outer hull. The guide means is provided as tracks on either side of the array panel. In a further embodiment, a drive means is provided for moving the array panel from between the hulls to its deployed position.

Abstract: A control line deployment device useable in an underwater vehicle including stator positioned at an aft end of an underwater vehicle having a spool bucket formed therein with an entrance opening at an aft end of the stator in communication with the spool bucket. The control line spool is slidably disposed in the spool bucket with a control line in communication with the underwater vehicle wound upon the control line spool. The control line is deployable from the control line spool by extension through the entrance opening. Access to the control line spool for its replacement is readily provided and made possible by a removable cover positioned and releasably fitted onto the entrance opening at the aft end of the stator in communication with the spool bucket.