Abstract: A method includes incorporating an optical fiber into a buffer tube, wherein the buffer tube has a first length. The buffer tube contains the optical fiber and a filler compound to create a buffer tube assembly. The buffer tube assembly is heated to an elevated temperature for a period of time, wherein the first length of the buffer tube decreases to a second length, such that extra optical fiber length is created relative to the second length. The buffer tube assembly is cooled to stabilize the second length and to retain the excess fiber length in the buffer tube.

Abstract: A method includes incorporating an optical fiber into a buffer tube, wherein the buffer tube has a first length. The buffer tube contains the optical fiber and a filler compound to create a buffer tube assembly. The buffer tube assembly is heated to an elevated temperature for a period of time, wherein the first length of the buffer tube decreases to a second length, such that extra optical fiber length is created relative to the second length. The buffer tube assembly is cooled to stabilize the second length and to retain the excess fiber length in the buffer tube.

Abstract: A zero velocity towed array system for use in an ocean environment includes towed array subsystem and a deployment vessel. The towed array subsystem comprises a rear drogue, an elongated communication cable having mounted thereon at least one. acoustic sensor. The deployment vessel deploys the towed array subsystem. While the deployment vessel moves in a forward direction through the ocean environment at a selected forward motion rate, it deploys the acoustic sensor and communication cable rearwardly at a deployment rate corresponding to the forward motion rate, thereby to maintain the acoustic sensor and communication cable in a stable position in the ocean environment.

Abstract: A dual zero velocity towed array system for use in an ocean environment crises a plurality of towed array subsystems and a deployment vessel. Each towed array subsystems comprises a rear drogue, an elongated communication cable having mounted thereon at least one acoustic sensor. The deployment vessel deploying the towed array subsystems. The deployment vessel moving in a forward direction through the ocean environment at a selected forward motion rate and alternatingly deploys the at least one acoustic sensor and communication cable of alternate ones of the towed array subsystems during successive iterations. In each iteration the deployment vessel deploys one of the towed array subsystems rearwardly at a deployment rate corresponding to the forward motion rate, thereby to maintain the at least one acoustic sensor and communication cable in a stable position in the ocean environment.