Abstract: A system and method is provided to replenish a submarine's tactical capabilities, e.g., weapons, sensors and communications, while the submarine remains within a hostile environment. One or more Underwater Combat Vehicles (UCV's) are pre-positioned at strategic locations or are launched from a surface and/or airborne platform. The UCV's include full tactical capabilities, which can attach to and be integrated with a submarine's capabilities. To initiate replenishment, a submarine broadcasts a signal, or dispatches one of the UCV's under its direct control, to make contact with one of the pre-positioned UCV's or with a central command platform. The pre-positioned UCV's are programmed to search for and locate the submarine. This can either be accomplished using signals broadcast from the submarine, or using UCV internal navigation systems and a last known position for the submarine.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to replenish a submarine's tactical capabilities, e.g., weapons, sensors and communications, while the submarine remains within a hostile environment. One or more Underwater Combat Vehicles (UCV's) are pre-positioned at strategic locations or are launched from a surface and/or airborne platform. The UCV's include full tactical capabilities, which can attach to and be integrated with a submarine's capabilities. To initiate replenishment, a submarine broadcasts a signal, or dispatches one of the UCV's under its direct control, to make contact with one of the pre-positioned UCV's or with a central command platform. The pre-positioned UCV's are programmed to search for and locate the submarine. This can either be accomplished using signals broadcast from the submarine, or using UCV internal navigation systems and a last known position for the submarine. Once located, communication between the submarine and UCV allows docking of the UCV onto the submarine.

Abstract: The invention provides an unmanned, autonomous, undersea platform which ends the sphere of influence of a host vessel from which it is launched. The platform is hydrodynamically and stealth shaped to minimize noise, wake and detectability of the platform. The platform includes advanced active and passive sensors for monitoring the undersea environment, high data rate RF and satellite communications capabilities for communication with the host vessel when necessary, forward deployed offensive and defensive weapons systems and sophisticated data processing to coordinate the sensing, communications and weapons systems with minimal direction from the host vessel. Prior to launch, mission directives are input to the data processors. Using artificial intelligence and neural network programming for decision making, the processors constantly update the platform's operating parameters to conform with changing environmental and threat conditions and to successfully complete the mission.