Abstract: A system (10), method (90) and apparatus (14) are provided for provisioning a multicast stream, such as an IP multicast stream, in a network. The system includes a first tier (12), such as a national backbone, with a first Multicast Address Discovery (MCAD) directory (34), and at least one second tier having a headend, such as a regional headend (14), with a second MCAD directory (36, 38). The system (10) includes a tiered MCAD directory network that allows the assignment of multicast addresses to multicast streams received from an upper tier MCAD directory. The tiered MCAD directory structure allows for requesting and storing stream descriptors and delivering stream descriptors on-demand to MCAD-enabled devices throughout the system. The system (10) also allows for stream provisioning maintenance and validation at lower tier headends via MCAD-enabled device queries or re-queries of upper tier MCAD directories.

Abstract: An aerodynamic housing is disclosed for stabilizing the free-fall descent an article, particularly a sonobuoy, launched from an aircraft. The housing is cylindrically-configured and includes a tail section wherein a plurality of symmetrical channels are formed obliquely to the cylindrical surface of the housing about the circumference thereof, each channel having a leading edge in the shape of a truncated ellipse. A tailring mounted at the rear of the tail section partially covers the channels thereby forming contoured air ducts through which air flows during the free-fall to orient the housing vertically and stabilize the descent.