Abstract: A ring assembly of an underwater acoustic sensor (hydrophone) system includes a ring that has brackets that mount the hydrophones evenly circumferentially spaced apart. The ring assembly may have three hydrophones mounted on the ring, with the hydrophones maintained in a triplet configuration. Multiple ring assemblies may be stacked in a nested array, with the hydrophones of adjacent stacked ring assemblies offset circumferentially, with each of the hydrophones overlapping multiple of the stacked rings, with the stacking accomplished such that the ring assemblies are in a helical array. Rings with non-acoustic sensors may be stacked with (and interspersed within) the stacked rings. The stacked array of ring assemblies (and non-acoustic sensor assemblies) may be stored in a canister that facilitates uniform and controlled descent and deployment of the assemblies, with ring assemblies and non-acoustic assemblies paying out sequentially from a float at the top of the array.

Abstract: A packing module includes a volumetrically efficient structure for separately retaining sensors and a cable of a sensor array. The packing module includes a tray that supports the sensors and a retaining leaf arrangement that extends outwardly from the tray to retain the cable on the tray. The retaining leaf arrangement includes a plurality of nested leaves that are spaced relative to each other. Packing the module includes placing the sensors separately and in succession on the tray and inserting a portion of the cable in the retaining leaf arrangement in between each placing of a sensor. The placement of a sensor and insertion of a portion of the cable occurs alternately until the entire sensor array is accommodated. Deployment of the sensor array may occur by alternately removing a sensor and a portion of the cable until the sensor array is displaced from the module.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing vibration for an acoustic array. In an embodiment, an acoustic array includes a base structure having apertures and sensors supported by the base structure for providing an acoustic array. Vibration damping material is located in the apertures of the base structure and attachment mechanisms for secure the portions of vibration damping material to a vehicle. A mold material encapsulates the base structure, the sensors and the portions of vibration damping material. The structure and materials are selected to dampen vibration for certain frequencies.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing vibration for an acoustic array. In an embodiment, an acoustic array includes a base structure having apertures and sensors supported by the base structure for providing an acoustic array. Vibration damping material is located in the apertures of the base structure and attachment mechanisms for secure the portions of vibration damping material to a vehicle. A mold material encapsulates the base structure, the sensors and the portions of vibration damping material. The structure and materials are selected to dampen vibration for certain frequencies.

Abstract: A packing module includes a volumetrically efficient structure for separately retaining sensors and a cable of a sensor array. The packing module includes a tray that supports the sensors and a retaining leaf arrangement that extends outwardly from the tray to retain the cable on the tray. The retaining leaf arrangement includes a plurality of nested leaves that are spaced relative to each other. Packing the module includes placing the sensors separately and in succession on the tray and inserting a portion of the cable in the retaining leaf arrangement in between each placing of a sensor. The placement of a sensor and insertion of a portion of the cable occurs alternately until the entire sensor array is accommodated. Deployment of the sensor array may occur by alternately removing a sensor and a portion of the cable until the sensor array is displaced from the module.

Abstract: An underwater vehicle includes a plurality of releasable panel members that are initially in a storage state in which the releasable panel members form a closed housing and the underwater vehicle is neutrally buoyant, an actuatable effector that is retained in the closed housing. The effector has an anchor and a positively buoyant upper unit opposite the anchor. When the plurality of releasable panel members are released to open the closed housing, the effector is separable from the releasable panel members and maintained in a vertically downward direction by the anchor and the positively buoyant upper unit.

Abstract: An underwater vehicle includes a plurality of releasable panel members that are initially in a storage state in which the releasable panel members form a closed housing and the underwater vehicle is neutrally buoyant, an actuatable effector that is retained in the closed housing. The effector has an anchor and a positively buoyant upper unit opposite the anchor. When the plurality of releasable panel members are released to open the closed housing, the effector is separable from the releasable panel members and maintained in a vertically downward direction by the anchor and the positively buoyant upper unit.

Abstract: An underwater vehicle includes a longitudinal body that defines a longitudinal axis and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis between a forward orientation and a sideways orientation, a wing attached to the longitudinal body that is moveable between a vertically extending wing orientation when the longitudinal body is in the forward orientation and a horizontally extending wing orientation when the longitudinal body is in the sideways orientation, a propulsion system having a front propulsion device and a rear propulsion device that is arranged rearwardly along the longitudinal axis relative to the front propulsion device, and an after-propulsion system arranged at a rear end of the longitudinal body that provides thrust along the longitudinal axis. The secondary propulsion system provides thrust in a perpendicular direction relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An underwater vehicle includes a longitudinal body that defines a longitudinal axis and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis between a forward orientation and a sideways orientation, a wing attached to the longitudinal body that is moveable between a vertically extending wing orientation when the longitudinal body is in the forward orientation and a horizontally extending wing orientation when the longitudinal body is in the sideways orientation, a propulsion system having a front propulsion device and a rear propulsion device that is arranged rearwardly along the longitudinal axis relative to the front propulsion device, and an after-propulsion system arranged at a rear end of the longitudinal body that provides thrust along the longitudinal axis. The secondary propulsion system provides thrust in a perpendicular direction relative to the longitudinal axis.