Unmanned Undersea Weapon Deployment Structure With Cylindrical Payload Configuration.
Abstract
An unmanned undersea vehicle system includes an axisymmetrical cylindrically shaped self propelled undersea deployment vehicle of predetermined diameter having an amidships undersea weapon bay. The amidships undersea weapon bay includes a plurality of weapon deployment devices symmetrically disposed about a central core, each weapon deployment device having a weapon canister for carrying a weapon. The weapon deployment devices are pivotable between a retracted, nondeployed position and an extended, deployed position, and have a surface which, when the weapon deployment devices are in their retracted, nondeployed positions, conforms to the vehicle's cylindrical shape, and when in their extended, deployed positions place the weapon canisters beyond the vehicle's diameter. Each weapon canister has a sidewall conforming to the shape of the weapon contained therein, and end caps at opposing ends. The end caps are discharged when the weapon contained therein is fired, which allows the weapon to have a clear trajectory and also seawater to enter the canister. A control means controls pivoting of the weapon deployment devices from their retracted, non deployed positions and their extended, deployed positions to facilitate firing of at least one weapon, and further controls pivoting of the weapon deployment devices from their extended, deployed positions to their retracted, non deployed positions after firing. The weapon canisters whose weapons have been fired retain seawater so as to provide for a generally axisymmetrical distribution of mass as among those weapon deployment devices whose weapons have been fired and those weapon deployment devices whose weapons have not been fired.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 11, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADD017862
Entities
People
- Christopher F. Hillenbrand
Organizations
- United States Department of the Navy