Abstract: The present invention comprises a device for clearing mines comprising a housing assembly with a chamber therein that carries a surface contact chemical that is capable of consuming the explosive fill within a mine. A nose assembly is attached to the housing assembly. The nose assembly separates from the housing assembly when the device contacts a solid mass. The nose assembly is capable of penetrating a mine housing and contacting the mine explosive fill sufficiently to expose the fill whereby the surface contact chemical can consume the fill. The present invention also includes a method of using a plurality of such devices in order to conduct a mine clearance operation in a surf zone or on a beach.

Abstract: A deployable nose is used on an underwater vehicle to provide a shorter length when in a retracted position and to provide a reduced drag when in the deployed position. The deployable nose includes a plurality of nose sections and a deployment mechanism that moves the plurality of nose sections from the retracted position to the deployed position. The nose sections include a base nose section attached at the end of the underwater vehicle, an outer nose section having a rounded contour, and one or more intermediate nose sections between the base nose section and outer nose section. In the retracted position, the outer nose section and one or more intermediate nose sections are retracted generally within the base nose section. In the deployed position, the outer nose section and intermediate nose sections extend outwardly from the base nose section and interlock proximate the edges of the nose sections to form the deployed nose.

Abstract: A launch platform for a host vehicle. There is a cradle having a cylindrical shape with peripheral axial recesses formed therein and arranged around the cradle. A release mechanism is positioned within the cradle. The release mechanism releasably joins small cylindrical undersea vehicles positioned in said peripheral axial recesses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing abandoned or obsolete fixed platforms in a marine environment is provided. The apparatus includes a frame carrying an explosive charge. The frame includes a linear and a curved section which are adjustable moved relative to one another for fitting the explosive charge member to the inside bore of a vertical leg section of the rig. A shaped charge arrangement focuses an explosive charge at a desired location on the rig leg so that when the explosive charge detonates, the rig is cut with minimal invasion of the surrounding environment.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an enclosure for weaponry, listening, identifying, recording, communications equipment or the like for use in or on the seabed. The enclosure comprises an outer cylindrical container (10) having a buoyancy chamber (34) to render one end (11) of the container more buoyant than the other (12) so that the container lies in a vertical orientation when disposed in the sea. At the other end (12) of the container there are propeller/impellors (28) for activating sand/silt/shingle on the seabed to create a cavity below the container into which the container can self bury. A container has a payload compartment (32) for holding weaponry, listening, recording and/communications equipment.

Abstract: A supercavitating water-entry projectile having empennage on the aft end ch provides both aerodynamic and hydrodynamic stability and a supercavitating nose section is provided. A representative projectile is a subcaliber munition adapted for use in a 25 mm weapon using a sabot currently in use with the M919 round. The projectile has circumferential grooves around its center section to match these sabots. A key feature in the invention is the size and shape of the nose section. The projectile has a novel high strength extended blunt nose section followed by a truncated conical section which angles towards the body of the projectile in the range of five degrees. During underwater trajectory, the entire projectile is contained within the cavitation bubble formed by the blunt nose tip. The projectile's aft empennage, which provides both aerodynamic and hydrodynamic stability, fits within the bore of the weapon.

Abstract: A projectile is propelled from a location in air, through an air/water interface, and toward a submerged underwater object. The projectile includes a forward end that forms a cavitation void around the projectile in water, avoiding water drag on the remainder of the projectile. The projectile further includes an outwardly flared or finned rearward end that aerodynamically stabilizes the projectile in air and flare stabilizes it in water, in each case against yaw.

Abstract: A projectile assembly for use in a breech loading hydraulic speargun. The assembly consists of a dart connected to a plug end. The assembly is inserted into the breech end of the speargun barrel with the plug end sealing the breech end of the barrel. A trigger mechanism on the speargun releases water under pressure into the barrel at the location of the connection between the dart and the plug. The dart separates from the plug and is ejected out the muzzle end of the barrel. A lanyard is attached between the plug remaining in the barrel and the dart and the lanyard is payed out through the barrel as the dart travels to its target. The plug end is removable from the barrel and is made buoyant for convenient retrieval of the dart.

Abstract: A lanyard retainer for use in a breech loading hydraulic speargun. A projectile is attached to the retainer and the retainer and projectile are inserted into the breech end of the speargun barrel with the retainer sealing the breech end of the barrel. A trigger mechanism on the speargun releases water under pressure into the barrel at the location of the connection between the projectile and the retainer. The projectile separates from the retainer and is ejected out the muzzle end of the barrel while the retainer remains in the barrel. The retainer has a forward spindle portion about which a lanyard is wound. The rear portion of the retainer serves as the breech seal and the shoulder between the spindle and the rear portion prevents the lanyard from unwinding onto the rear portion and helps to prevent operator entanglement with the lanyard. The lanyard is attached between the retainer and the projectile such that the lanyard is payed out through the barrel as the projectile travels to its target.

Abstract: An explosive charge for underwater use comprising a shaped charge behind a ain charge. The shaped charge is detonated, propelling a jet from the liner of the shaped charge through a tube extending through the main charge. When the jet passes through the water, it creates a cavity behind it. The main charge is detonated after a delay sufficient to allow the explosive energy to enter the cavity before the cavity begin to collapse.

Abstract: A warhead, used in a torpedo, includes an expolsive device that is detonatable within a breached water-tight compartment such that damage to the target is enhanced by the presence of the confined incompressible fluid therewithin.

Abstract: A depth charge fuze includes a piston in a cylinder sealingly and displaceably guided to actuate a firing mechanism against atmospheric pressure within the cylinder on one side of the piston. The piston is operatively connected to a balancing device for balancing in axial direction. At the other side of the piston there is provided a pressure chamber connected to the surroundings by means of a number of throttling passages with valves depending on the surrounding water pressure for closing up the passages on different levels of water pressure. A shearing means retains the piston in a rest position up to a predetermined maximum pressure drop over the piston.

Abstract: In an ignition trigger device for an underwater projectile, a sensor that is connected with electronic means is provided. The sensor is equipped with water outlet openings, and consists of a network of individual lines or contact paths exposed to the entry and exit of water into and out of the underwater projectile, respectively.

Abstract: A projectile having a tubular projectile body and provided with pointed fins pivotally mounted at the front end of the projectile body. The head fins expand when the projectile strikes a target shark to prevent the projectile from passing clear through the shark and to present a wound which is covered by a searing agent which is released from the interior of the body when the projectile strikes the target. The searing agent sears the wound, eliminating bleeding which attracts predators. Several embodiments of the projectile are disclosed.

Abstract: A nosepiece for the forward end of a missile that is launched into the atmosphere for a ballistic trajectory and a water entry impact comprises a frangible base and a separable nosecap, the base having multiple segments of rigid foam defining an axial bore into the base and a volume of soft cellular foam within the bore to protect the forward end of the missile. The nosecap is in seated relationship within the bore opening on the tip end of the base during airborne flight and separates therefrom to expose the axial bore opening prior to water entry impact such that upon impact the base is fractured by the force of water entering the exposed bore and thus separated from the missile.

Abstract: Noise suppression is achieved in a closed Rankine cycle torpedo including a propulsor 36, a turbine 26 connected to the propulsor 36, the turbine 26 having an annular outlet 40. The regenerator 42 is disposed about the turbine outlet 40 and has a radially outwardly opening annular regenerator outlet 46. A hull condenser 10, 48, 52 has an axially opening inlet 54 and a conduit 56 connects the inlet 54 with the regenerator outlet 46 and has a wall 58 configured to cause fluid exiting in a radial direction from the regenerator outlet 46 to flow axially to the inlet 54. At least one curved vane 60, 62 is located within the conduit 56 for converting radial fluid flow to axial fluid flow and a sound suppressing elastomer 64, 74 is associated with each of the wall 58 and the vane 60, 62 for attenuating vibration imparted thereto by fluid impinging on the associated wall 58 or vane 60, 62.

Abstract: A detonator triggering device which is located in the head of an underwater projectile, and wherein a pressure receiver which is positioned within an opening in the projectile head is exposed to a dynamic pressure or velocity head. A piezo-ceramic disc which is equipped with electrical contacts is rigidly supported on one side thereof in the head of the projectile, and with its other side contacts against a pressure transmitting member which is supported within the opening in the head. As a result, the dynamic pressure will act against the piezo-ceramic disc. Every change in the dynamic pressure consequently provides for a corresponding change in the charge or change in the voltage of the piezo-ceramic disc. This permits itself to be processed in an electronic evaluating or gating circuit, such that the applicable voltage change is employed as the actuating criteria.

Abstract: An improved frangible nose cap is presented which in addition to providing echanical protection to the torpedo nose also provides electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection to the torpedo electronics systems. The improved nose cap is made up of a frangible material which may be impregnated, or coated, by methods well known in the prior art, with a conductive layer that can be electrically connected to the torpedo's electronic circuit ground for the EMI shielding.

Abstract: A supercavitating water-entry projectile having empennage on the aft end which provides both aerodynamic and hydrodynamic stability and a supercavitating nose section is provided. A representative projectile is a subcaliber munition adapted for use in a 25 mm weapon using a sabot currently in use with the M919 round. The projectile has circumferential grooves around its center section to match these sabots. A key feature in the invention is the size and shape of the nose section. The projectile has a novel high strength extended blunt nose section followed by a truncated conical section which angles towards the body of the projectile in the range of five degrees. During underwater trajectory, the entire projectile is contained within the cavitation bubble formed by the blunt nose tip. The projectile's aft empennage, which provides both aerodynamic and hydrodynamic stability, fits within the bore of the weapon.