Unmanned underwater vehicle for tracking and homing in on submarines

a technology for underwater vehicles and submarines, applied in underwater equipment, special-purpose vessels, transportation and packaging, etc., can solve the problems of ineffective method if the exterior hull is not sealed, the submarine-on-submarine tracking is a very difficult task, and the pursuitr is a great expense and risk

Inactive Publication Date: 2004-04-08
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
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Problems solved by technology

There are many other technical difficulties that make submarine-on-submarine tracking a very challenging task.
In addition, using a superior submarine to track an inferior submarine involves great expense and risk for the pursuer.
However, this method is ineffective if the exterior hull is inspected, as any prudent submarine commander would require, immediately prior to departure.
There are other conventional methods of tracking submarines, but each has severe limitations.
Low-flying aircraft equipped with magnetometers can detect the presence of a submarine, but maintaining continuous contact using aircraft is expensive and risky over enemy territory, and aircraft require a nearby landing area.

Method used

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  • Unmanned underwater vehicle for tracking and homing in on submarines
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  • Unmanned underwater vehicle for tracking and homing in on submarines

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[0022] The present invention relates to a special-purpose, self-propelled unmanned underwater vehicle 10 as shown in FIGS. 1-7 that may be launched from any of numerous platforms in the vicinity of a submarine 12. The vehicle 10 may be guided toward the submarine 12 by a controller 13 (See FIG. 7) using data from internal (unmanned underwater vehicle-mounted) and / or external (launch platform-mounted) sensors of various types, such as acoustic, optic, and magnetic sensors. External sensory data may be fed to the vehicle 10 through a thin, spooled, trailing wire or by using optical or other covert methods. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 preferably approaches the submarine 12 from behind, along a tangential path, so as to avoid a collision that might alert the submarine crew and damage the vehicle 10 and its components. The vehicle 10 will target a predetermined area of the submarine that is well suited for both stealthy and longterm attachment.

[0023] Referring now to FIG....

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Abstract

The present invention relates to an unmanned underwater vehicle for tracking and homing in on submarines. The unmanned underwater vehicle comprises a propulsion unit and at least one attachment device for attaching the vehicle to the hull of a submarine. The at least one attachment device may comprise at least one movable corkscrew and / or at least one movable permanent magnet. The at least one corkscrew may be used when the submarine hull is coated with an elastomeric material. The at least one permanent magnet may be used when the submarine hull is ferrous and uncoated or thinly coated. A method for intercepting and covertly reporting the activities of a submarine using the unmanned underwater vehicle is also described.

Description

[0002] (1) Field of the Invention[0003] The present invention relates to an unmanned underwater vehicle for use in tracking and homing in on submarines.[0004] (2) Description of the Prior Art[0005] Because of where and how they operate, submarines are much easier to hide than to find. Yet in order to maintain superiority at sea, in preparation for or during international hostilities, it is imperative to know what lies beneath the waves as well as what floats or flies above them. At present, the surest method of tracking a submarine is with another submarine. However, in order to avoid counterdetection, the tracking submarine must be quieter than its adversary and / or have better sensors. Also, the tracking submarine must be small enough to follow its adversary into shallow waters. There are many other technical difficulties that make submarine-on-submarine tracking a very challenging task. In addition, using a superior submarine to track an inferior submarine involves great expense a...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B63G8/00F42B12/36
CPCB63G8/001F42B12/365F42B12/36
Inventor HORTON, DUANE M.
Owner THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
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