Abstract: A self-powered towed underwater sensor is provided. The sensor has a shied casing which encloses an electric generator. The generator is connected to an impeller that is located at the midpoint of the casing. The impeller is covered by a shroud which minimizes the disturbance of the water by the impeller. The casing contains a shield which absorbs electromagnetic radiation produced by the generator. The shield is placed around the generator. A towed cable is connected to the forward end of the casing. The towed cable is made of a material having a high tensile strength to facilitate towing. A fiber optic cable is located within the towed cable and runs the length of the cable, specifically for transmission of received data from the attached sensor to the towing craft. The use of fiber optics prevents interference by electromagnetic radiation in the environment through which the cable passes, and there is no power lead that could conduct interference into the array.

Abstract: A simulated suspended mine retrieval system is described. It snares a simted suspended mine at sea that is comprised of an anchor, a buoy and a tether connecting the anchor and buoy. The retrieval system has a cable connected to a loop for snaring the simulated suspended mine. In operation the retrieval system is towed from a vessel and the loop passes over the mine and strikes the tether. When this happens the loop has a shackling arrangement that snares the tether and is of such a size that it cannot slip over the mine. This enables the simulated suspended mine to be hoisted upon the towing vessel.

Abstract: A marine tow cable has both coaxial electronic and fiber optic data transsion capabilities wherein the coaxial core conductors are positioned at the neutral axis or center line of the cable with the coaxial shield conductor circumscribing a dielectric material therebetween. Embedded within the dielectric material matrix, separating the core conductors and the shield conductor, are fiber optic transmitters helically circumscribing the core conductors. Surrounding the electro-optical assembly is a watertight jacket and a protective armor cover to carry the tensile forces imparted to the cable during towing operations.

Abstract: A coupling for joining sections of an underwater towed acoustical array iudes male and female couplers. The male coupler has an annular end portion with an axial bore that receives a first towed array section and a first connector and an annular body integral with and extending coaxially from the annular end portion. An outer groove is disposed around an outer circumference of the annular body. The female coupler has an annular end portion and an axial bore that receives a second towed array section and a second connector and a cup-shaped body portion integral with and extending from the annular end portion. The cup-shaped body portion has an inner groove disposed on the inner surface and an aperture through the cup-shaped body portion communicating with the inner groove. The inner groove is located so as to be in registry with the male coupler outer groove when the annular body is inserted into the cup-shaped body portion to form an annular channel.

Abstract: An autonomous underwater acoustic charge deployment buoy that can deploy ustic charges at preselected time periods. The device can operate away from any control vessels or structures. The device comprises a plurality of launch tubes disposed within a frame supported by an elastomeric floatation collar. An electrical control circuit is fastened to the upper surface of the frame to control acoustic charge release times. A hinged door that is held closed by a burn wire is disposed on lower end of each launch tube. Activation of the control circuit causes the burn wire to part, releasing the hinged door. When the hinged door opens, gravity causes the acoustic charge to drop from the launch tube. The device can deploy a plurality of acoustic charges at preselected times remote from control vessels or structures.

Abstract: A system for measuring the speed in water of an underwater towed array has towbody connected in close proximity to the array by means of a rope drogue. The towbody has a freely turning propeller that turns a shaft that has a rotor magnet. Magnetic pulses from the rotor magnet are converted first to an electrical and then to an acoustical signal. The acoustical signal from the towbody is received by the towed array and converted back to an electrical signal that is transmitted along a line to a ship that is towing the array. The ship then displays the detected speed and/or utilizes the information received for control purposes.