Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Including Keel-Mounted Payload Deployment Arrangement With Payload Compartment Flooding Arrangement To Maintain Axi-Symmetrical Mass Distribution.
Abstract
In brief summary, the invention provides an unmanned undersea vehicle system comprising an axisymmetrical cylindrically shaped self propelled undersea deployment vehicle of predetermined diameter said undersea deployment vehicle having an amidships undersea weapon compartment. The weapon compartment includes means for receiving a weapon and a buoyancy chamber positioned axisymmetrically within the weapon compartment. The buoyancy chamber is initially empty and has sufficient capacity so that it can be loaded with seawater whose mass approximates the mass of the weapon. The weapon compartment further includes controllable valve means for enabling seawater surrounding the vehicle to fill the buoyancy chamber. Control means controls the deployment of the weapon by expelling the weapon from the weapon compartment and thereafter controlling the firing of the weapon, contemporaneously controlling the valves during weapon deployment to enable filling of the buoyancy chamber to maintain an axisymmetrical distribution of mass as the weapon is deployed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 11, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADD017864
Entities
People
- Christopher F. Hillenbrand
Organizations
- United States Department of the Navy