Submarine having an interchangeable vertical weapon module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system consisting of a submarine (10) having a receiving device for receiving a weapon module (30) and to a weapon module (30), wherein the receiving device is arranged vertically or at an angle of less than 60° to the vertical when the submarine (10) is in its normal position, wherein the receiving device has a receiving opening for the weapon module (30) on the upper side, wherein the receiving device has an opening on the lower side so that there is a passage through the submarine when the weapon module (30) is not inserted into the receiving device, wherein the weapon module (30) has at least one weapon barrel (40) for receiving a weapon (70), wherein the weapon module (30) has a longitudinal direction, wherein the weapon module (30) can be introduced into the receiving device along the longitudinal direction, wherein the weapon barrel (40) is arranged along the longitudinal direction or at an angle of less than 10° to the longitudinal direction, wherein the weapon barrel (40) has an upper closable opening (42) and a lower closable opening (44).

Description

[0001] 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 1 / 26

[0002] Submarine with an interchangeable vertical weapons module

[0003] The invention relates to a weapon module for a submarine, into which one or more weapons can be easily inserted in a weapon tube in a container-like module.

[0004] The term "weapons" here and in the following refers to both effectors such as torpedoes or sea mines, as well as deployable sensors and other objects that can usually be deployed from the gun barrel of a submarine.

[0005] Transferring weapons from a tender to a submarine is very challenging and usually only possible in very good weather conditions. Two factors must be considered. Firstly, submarines have a very low freeboard, making them highly susceptible to waves. Secondly, the weapons must be individually guided through a small hatch into the interior of the pressure hull or into a gun tube. In the latter case, the pressure hull remains open for the entire duration of the transfer.

[0006] Another critical point is the weapon's deployment. If the weapon is a torpedo, the launch and the associated noise immediately reveal the submarine's position. However, it would be desirable to separate the launch and the noise from each other in time, so that the submarine does not have to disclose its position.

[0007] US Patent 5613460 A describes a submersible vehicle with a bracket for external cargo.

[0008] A submarine is known from EP 0850830 A2.

[0009] From WO 2009 / 136065 A2, an external storage device for weapons in a submarine is known.

[0010] A submarine is known to have been acquired from DE 102010048222 A1. 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 2 / 26

[0011] WO 2005 / 058687 A2 describes a multi-purpose underwater vehicle for carrying different payloads and a method of operation for it.

[0012] An underwater vehicle is known from US 8677920 B1.

[0013] The object of the invention is to provide a weapons ejection system that enables simplified weapons handover at sea, particularly quiet ejection, and the covert deployment of a sensor or effector network.

[0014] This problem is solved by the system with the features specified in claim 1 and by the method with the features specified in claim 20. Advantageous further developments are described in the dependent claims, the following description, and the drawings.

[0015] The system according to the invention consists of a submarine with a receiving device for a weapon module and a weapon module that can be inserted into the receiving device. The advantage lies in the fact that the weapon module can be designed to a certain extent independently of the carrier, the submarine, which in turn allows for faster adaptation to different weapon systems without having to adapt the carrier itself to a new weapon system. Such systems are common today for land vehicles such as the M270 or M142 and allow the use of very different missiles, even with different diameters, using different weapon modules but from the same vehicle platform. Furthermore, the container-like design of a weapon module makes loading weapons very quick and easy, which in turn leads to faster readiness for combat.This makes the weapon module completely independent of the submarine and it only needs to meet the basic physical requirements; it must fit mechanically into the mounting device and be able to be held and connected there. The internal structure of the weapon module is separate from this and can be freely adapted to the respective weapon. However, the diversity of weapons in a submarine is significantly greater than in land-based vehicles, which essentially only include guns and missiles. In a submarine, this also includes torpedoes and [240246P10EP 26.01.2026 3 / 26].

[0016] Mines are among the primary weapons. Additionally, buoyancy after weapon deployment, noise emissions before, during, and after deployment, and other parameters play a very significant role in a submarine. Weapon modules as known from land vehicles are therefore unsuitable for use in a submarine; however, adopting the general principle of separating the platform and the weapon module is desirable.

[0017] The weapon retrieval device is positioned vertically or at an angle of less than 60° to the vertical when the submarine is in its normal position. Here, 0° is considered vertical and 90° horizontal. A vertical arrangement, particularly between 0° and 35°, is advantageous for optimizing the use of buoyancy or gravity. Flatter arrangements are advantageous, especially to the sides of the pressure hull, due to space constraints. The arrangement and angle of the weapon retrieval device are specifically related to its longitudinal axis, i.e., the axis along which the weapons move during retrieval or ejection. Because of the pressure hull, which every manned submarine requires to provide a survivable environment for its crew, a slightly inclined arrangement of the weapon retrieval device, usually towards the center of the vessel, extending laterally to above the pressure hull, is advantageous.Nevertheless, a vertical component is necessary in the arrangement because, as explained below, an upper and a lower opening are required. The receiving device has at least one receiving opening for the weapon module on its upper side, and preferably also on its lower side. The weapon module can therefore be inserted into the receiving device from above (and, if necessary, also from below). For example, and in particular, this can be done directly at sea from a tender, allowing all weapons stowed in the weapon module to be transferred to the submarine in a single step. Furthermore, these weapons are contained within a weapon module, thus secured, and do not need to be transported individually and unprotected, which makes the transfer at sea significantly more efficient, safer, and faster, and also reduces dependence on weather conditions.The receiving device has an opening on its underside, so that without a weapon module inserted into the receiving device, a through-passage through the submarine is created. This is necessary so that the weapon module, and in particular the one in the 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 4 / 26.

[0018] The weapon module's weapon tube can be opened both at the top and at the bottom.

[0019] The weapon module has at least one gun tube for mounting weapons. Since the gun tube can be adapted to the weapon, various weapon modules for different weapons can be easily provided, all of which can be inserted into the same mounting device. The gun tube can also be designed like a typical submarine gun tube, for example, for heavyweight torpedoes with a caliber of 533 mm. Many submarine weapons, such as mines and missiles, have already been designed for deployment through this standardized gun tube and are therefore available for a universal design. Thus, a wide variety of weapons can already be mounted in a single weapon module with such a gun tube. The weapon module has a longitudinal orientation. The weapon module can be inserted into the mounting device along its longitudinal axis.The insertion direction in the receiving device thus defines the longitudinal direction. Although the extension in this longitudinal direction will usually be greater than in the other two orthogonal spatial directions, this is not strictly necessary. The gun tube is arranged along the longitudinal direction or at an angle of less than 10° to the longitudinal direction. The gun tube has a closable upper opening and a closable lower opening. The two closable openings are necessary to optimize its use on board a submarine according to the invention and fundamentally distinguish it from a gun tube typically used on a submarine, which only has a muzzle flap that is open when the weapon is fired. This also applies to all vertical launch systems (VLS) used on ships. It is precisely this difference that allows the gun tube to be operated in a virtually buoyant state.These two closable openings allow for the insertion of a weapon that is not buoyant, as well as a weapon buoyancy compensator to compensate for the weapon's buoyancy. For example, if a weapon with a higher density than water is inserted, it can be lowered virtually silently through the lower closable opening by gravity alone, without the need for an active deployment device. However, this would compromise the desired buoyancy neutrality of the 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 5 / 26.

[0020] To prevent damage to the submarine, an additional buoyancy aid is present in the weapon tube, which roughly compensates for the weapon's negative buoyancy. This buoyancy aid can be released through the upper, closable opening. This makes it possible to restore the submarine's neutral buoyancy. After deployment, the buoyancy aid can be submerged, for example, by flooding, causing it to sink. The simultaneous release of the weapon and the appropriately prepared weapon buoyancy aid makes the process virtually buoyancy-neutral for the submarine. Unlike conventional active ejection systems, the gravity-driven ejection of the weapon largely eliminates noise. This also applies analogously if the weapon has positive buoyancy; in that case, the weapon can eject through the upper, closable opening by rising to the surface, again without active ejection.In this case, the weapon buoyancy body in the weapon tube is a negative buoyancy body, i.e., a body with negative buoyancy that leaves the weapon tube through the lower closable opening.

[0021] Since the weapon is not accelerated by any device other than gravity or buoyancy within the gun barrel, the gun barrel does not need to be longer than the weapon itself, and no lead-in is required. This significantly reduces the size of the weapon module compared to the gun barrels with lead-in currently installed in submarines.

[0022] Preferably, a weapon module is equipped with two, three, four, six, or more weapon barrels. This allows two, three, four, or six weapons to be reloaded simultaneously in a single unit when the weapon module is replaced, even in a mixed weapon configuration. These weapons are also transported within the weapon module itself, simplifying transport and storage.

[0023] Preferably, the receiving device for the weapon module is arranged completely outside the pressure hull.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the invention, the weapon module is designed to be as buoyant-neutral as possible or is prepared for the planned deployment location. This enables a significant reduction in the necessary volumes of the 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 6 / 26

[0025] The weapon module is equipped with corresponding weapon compensation cells in the submarine. The weapon module itself can preferably be designed to be water-flushed. The weapon module preferably forgoes active buoyancy compensation and is instead designed for a medium and primarily expected ambient density. Therefore, the weapon module is preferably designed to be buoyantly neutral in such a way that the trim and buoyancy changes of the submarine, which occur when the weapon module is inserted and removed or when all weapon modules are inserted and removed sequentially, can be compensated for by the submarine's trim and control system.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the invention, the weapon module forms the outer hull of the submarine in the area of ​​the upper and lower closable openings. The weapon module is thus preferably designed to be flow-optimized and fitted into the outer hull in these areas, and preferably has an acoustically effective coating.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the invention, the submarine has a boat interface for exchanging electrical signals, communication, and / or power with the weapon module interface and the gun barrel interface. The weapon module interface preferably serves essentially as a relay station. For this purpose, the weapon module is equipped with a corresponding weapon module interface, and each gun barrel is equipped with a corresponding gun barrel interface.

[0028] These interfaces allow, for example, multiple weapon tubes to launch multiple weapons, such as heavyweight torpedoes, from multiple weapon modules. This can also be done along the submarine's route over a certain distance. After launching, and especially after the submarine has moved out of the launch zone, the torpedoes can then be remotely launched and controlled. This means that a detectable sound only occurs when the torpedo begins to move, which, at different launch points, further complicates the detection of the submarine and enables simultaneous attacks on multiple ships in a fleet or on a single ship from different directions without prior warning of the first torpedo's launch. 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 7 / 26

[0029] In a further embodiment of the invention, the receiving device is arranged at least partially in the direction of travel in front of the pressure hull of the submarine.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the invention, the receiving device is arranged at least partially in the direction of travel behind the pressure hull of the submarine.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the invention, the receiving device is arranged at least partially laterally next to the pressure hull of the submarine. Preferably, the receiving devices are arranged laterally at an angle towards the center of the vessel at their upper end. This allows for particularly space-saving integration into a double-hulled submarine.

[0032] In another embodiment of the invention, the receiving device is inclined at the upper end towards the center of the ship.

[0033] In a further embodiment of the invention, two receiving devices are arranged symmetrically on the port and starboard sides. Preferably, several receiving devices are arranged in pairs, symmetrically on the port and starboard sides and in the longitudinal direction of the submarine, one behind the other.

[0034] Naturally, there can be several receiving devices, each positioned in front of, beside or behind the pressure body, in order to make optimal use of the resulting spaces.

[0035] In another embodiment, the receiving device does not penetrate the pressure hull of the submarine. This leaves the pressure hull itself unchanged, thus avoiding potential weak points. The receiving device is therefore preferably arranged in front of, behind, or beside the pressure hull, and in the case of very large submarines, also between two pressure hulls.

[0036] In another embodiment, the receiving devices are arranged vertically behind the pressure body and next to the shaft. This allows for the integration of the 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 8 / 26

[0037] Mounting devices can be installed in the stern of the submarine, and a vertical arrangement can be easily achieved. An arrangement in the bow, within the conformal acoustic antenna, is the preferred integration location. These arrangement options, and the associated elimination of weapons storage within the manned pressure hull, allow for a significant reduction in the length of the manned pressure hull and thus also of the entire submarine.

[0038] In a further embodiment of the invention, the weapon module has at least two 533 mm caliber gun barrels. The use of this standard caliber makes it possible to deploy all weapons currently used in NATO submarines with a single universal weapon module, thus enabling a wide range of capabilities very quickly. The use of two gun barrels per weapon module therefore allows for the simultaneous exchange of at least two weapons, and even more in the case of mines or smaller missiles, while maintaining a manageable overall mass for the weapon module.

[0039] In a further embodiment of the invention, the weapon tube is not designed to be pressure-resistant. This means that immersion pressure prevails inside the weapon tube. This, in turn, means that the weapon tubes can be made comparatively lightweight, which keeps the overall weight of the weapon module low. Therefore, the weapon tube can either have an opening to the environment, meaning it is effectively water-flushed. Alternatively, the weapon tube can be closed and then filled with a less compressible medium, for example, glycerin. To compensate for small pressure or volume differences between the weapon tube and the environment, the weapon tube in this embodiment has either a volume compensation element or a membrane.An exemplary design for a volume compensation element is a cylinder separated by a piston, one side of which is connected to the inside of the gun barrel and the other side to the environment.

[0040] In a further embodiment of the invention, the receiving device has an insertion device for receiving a weapon module into the receiving device. 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 9 / 26

[0041] The insertion device can, for example, consist of two extendable sliding and guide rails onto which the container-like weapon module can be easily placed by a crane, for instance, from a tender, and then easily slid into the receiving device for final placement. The insertion device can also be actively designed, for example, with crane functionality similar to that found in land-based systems, to pick up a weapon module, which has been, for example, unloaded from a tender onto the freeboard deck of the submarine, and insert it into the receiving device.

[0042] In a further embodiment of the invention, the upper and lower lockable openings are reversibly opened and closed. While this is not relevant for land-based systems, for example, where penetrable closures can be used, a weapon tube open after firing can generate flow noise, thereby reducing the system's detection range and increasing its detectability, which would be very detrimental to the submarine. Therefore, the upper and lower lockable openings are each preferably closed with a flap, allowing the flap to be closed again after the weapon has been deployed. For this to work, the flap mechanism must be designed so that it does not disrupt the communication link when closing; otherwise, the corresponding flap cannot be closed until the communication link is severed.To open and close the lockable openings, the weapon module can preferably be connected to the submarine's electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic systems, allowing the necessary power and control to be easily provided from inside the pressure hull. For this purpose, the mounting device and the weapon module preferably have correspondingly matching couplings, so that this connection is preferably established automatically when the weapon module is inserted into the mounting device.

[0043] In a further embodiment of the invention, the system comprises at least two different weapon modules with different weapon tubes for receiving 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 10 / 26

[0044] Different weapons are available. This makes the integration of new weapon systems into existing platforms particularly easy, as the weapon module can be adapted to each new weapon type completely independently, taking into account only the external dimensions and the interfaces to the submarine. In particular, due to its near-neutral buoyancy, no modifications are necessary on the submarine side either.

[0045] This new system now enables entirely new deployment possibilities for weapons from a submarine, which are difficult or impossible to achieve with a conventional integrated gun barrel or a conventional vertical launch system. For example, this system allows for the covert deployment of an entire network of sensors and / or effectors that only become active once the submarine is at a safe distance.

[0046] In a further embodiment of the invention, a weapon module has different weapon tubes for receiving different weapons. For example, and preferably, the different weapon tubes have different calibers.

[0047] In another embodiment of the invention, the weapon is a torpedo, a mine, an encapsulated missile or a deployable sensor.

[0048] In a further embodiment of the invention, the weapon module is composed of at least two sub-weapon modules. This allows two, or optionally more, sub-modules to be inserted together into a mounting device. The use of sub-weapon modules allows for greater flexibility, for example, enabling simple adaptation for different weapons specific to the mission.

[0049] In a further embodiment of the invention, the combination of the contents of a gun barrel is designed to be buoyantly neutral in such a way that the trim and buoyancy changes of the submarine, which occur when the contents (weapon, gun barrel interface, gun buoyancy compensator, thrust plate, 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 11 / 26)

[0050] Buoyancy aids and incompressible filling) are created, which can be compensated for by the trim and control system of the submarine.

[0051] In a further embodiment of the invention, the submarine is unmanned and therefore may have no pressure hull or only a very small one.

[0052] In a further aspect, the invention relates to methods for deploying at least one weapon from a system according to the invention. Here, a weapon, optionally with a separate weapon barrel interface, and a weapon buoyancy compensator are inserted into the weapon barrel of the weapon module in such a way that the bodies and fillings inserted into the weapon barrel are, as a whole, virtually buoyant. This makes the deployment of the weapon, together with the simultaneous deployment of the weapon buoyancy compensator, virtually buoyant for the submarine.

[0053] In a further embodiment of the invention, the gun barrel is filled with a protective fluid. Glycerin is one example of such a protective fluid. Glycerin prevents corrosion but dissolves safely in water. When dimensioning the gun buoyancy compensator, the density of a protective fluid, for example, the higher density of glycerin, must be taken into account. It is important that the components and fillings introduced into the gun barrel are, as a whole, virtually neutral in terms of buoyancy.

[0054] In a further embodiment of the invention, a buoyancy body is additionally inserted into the weapon tube of the weapon module above the weapon including optional weapon tube interface and weapon buoyancy compensation body, and a downforce body is inserted below the weapon including optional weapon tube interface and weapon buoyancy compensation body.

[0055] In a further embodiment of the invention, the upper closable opening and the lower closable opening are first opened. Optionally, a possible connection between the weapon and the weapon buoyancy compensator is disconnected, optionally also to an optional weapon barrel interface. The weapon is connected by 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 12 / 26

[0056] One of the two closable openings and the weapon's buoyancy compensator are ejected or deployed through the other of the two closable openings. This simultaneous deployment to maintain buoyancy neutrality is unknown in existing systems. Previous weapon tubes have only one opening for ejection and, at most, a second opening for the venting of propellant gases in missiles.

[0057] In a further embodiment of the invention, the upper and lower closable openings are first opened. Then, the weapon, including the optional weapon barrel interface, weapon buoyancy compensator, and buoyancy compensator, is separated from the ejection body. The weapon, including the optional weapon barrel interface, weapon buoyancy compensator, and buoyancy compensator, is ejected through the upper closable opening, and the ejection body is ejected through the lower closable opening. The additional buoyancy compensator thus improves the ejection, with the buoyancy of the buoyancy compensator being compensated by the ejection body. While the weapon buoyancy compensator is weapon-specific and compensates for its buoyancy, the buoyancy compensator and ejection body are non-specific and can therefore be used for various weapons.

[0058] In a further embodiment of the invention, the ejection occurs solely, i.e., exclusively, by means of gravity / buoyancy. A further additional ejection mechanism is therefore preferably not provided.

[0059] In a further embodiment of the invention, the weapon, together with the optional weapon barrel interface, weapon buoyancy compensator, and buoyancy body, floats to the water's surface after leaving the weapon barrel. There, the weapon can remain until it is remotely controlled and deployed.

[0060] In a further embodiment of the invention, the weapon, including the optional gun barrel interface and the weapon buoyancy compensator, separates from the buoyancy body after leaving the gun barrel. The buoyancy body drifts towards the water's surface unless it is designed for self-submersion, for example, by flooding. The weapon, including the optional gun barrel interface and 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 13 / 26

[0061] After separation, weapon buoyancy compensators float in the water column, where they remain until needed. This reduces the likelihood of detection.

[0062] In a further embodiment of the invention, the weapon, including the optional barrel interface and buoyancy compensator, has a slight downward thrust. The mechanical connection between the buoyancy compensator on the one hand and the weapon, including the optional barrel interface and buoyancy compensator on the other, can be extended after it leaves the barrel so that the buoyancy compensator floats to the water's surface, thus fixing the weapon, including the optional barrel interface and buoyancy compensator, in the water column.

[0063] In a further embodiment of the invention, the buoyancy body has a communication function, for example for communication via satellite or long wave, and a data interface to the weapon tube interface. Thus, target information can be transmitted to the weapon, for example a torpedo, and / or sensor information from the weapon, in particular the torpedo, can be transmitted to the communication network.

[0064] In a further embodiment of the invention, the upper and lower closable openings are first opened. Then the weapon, including the optional weapon barrel interface, weapon buoyancy compensator, and thrust plate, is separated from the buoyancy body. The weapon, including the optional weapon barrel interface, weapon buoyancy compensator, and thrust plate, is ejected through the lower closable opening, and the buoyancy body is ejected through the upper closable opening.

[0065] In a further embodiment of the invention, the weapon, together with its optional gun barrel interface, buoyancy compensator, and downward thruster, drifts to the seabed after leaving the gun barrel and remains there until it is deployed. This works particularly well in shallow waters and also very well for bottom mines or moored mines. 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 14 / 26

[0066] In a further embodiment of the invention, the weapon, including the optional gun barrel interface and weapon buoyancy compensator, separates from the propulsion body after leaving the gun barrel. The propulsion body sinks to the seabed, while the weapon, including the optional gun barrel interface and weapon buoyancy compensator, remains suspended in the water column. This allows for simple and concealed waiting until the weapon is needed, even in very deep waters.

[0067] In a further embodiment of the invention, the weapon, including the optional gun barrel interface and weapon buoyancy compensator, has a slight buoyancy. The mechanical connection between the buoyancy body on the one hand and the weapon, including the optional gun barrel interface and weapon buoyancy compensator, on the other hand can be extended after it leaves the gun barrel so that the buoyancy body sinks to the seabed, thus fixing the weapon, including the optional gun barrel interface and weapon buoyancy compensator, in the water column.

[0068] In a further embodiment of the invention, the weapon buoyancy compensator actively regulates its buoyancy / downforce in order to keep the weapon, including the barrel interface, within a defined depth range in the water column. This can be achieved, for example, in the form of a ballast tank.

[0069] In another embodiment of the invention, the weapon is a torpedo. The torpedo is launched solely by gravity, not by compressed air, pressurized water, or automatic launching as before. The launch, or rather the deployment, thus occurs silently and therefore reveals neither the presence of the submarine nor its position. Preferably, the torpedo remains unpowered at the launch position initially, thus generating no noise and therefore being undetectable. This differs from current torpedo deployments, where the torpedo immediately moves towards its target after launch. The submarine moves away from the launch position after the torpedo is launched. The torpedo is remotely controlled and only launches once the submarine is at a safe distance. The moment the torpedo begins its run, it can be located, and an adversary will detect the attacking submarine.

[0070] at this time, they assume it will be in this position. This provides significant protection for the submarine.

[0071] In a further embodiment of the invention, at least two torpedoes are deployed. The two torpedoes are deployed from the same or, preferably, different positions. Of course, more torpedoes can also be deployed. This allows, in particular, the simultaneous launch of all torpedoes, for example, an attack on an entire battle group. At the same time, launching the torpedoes from different positions makes locating the submarine even more difficult. Furthermore, this also enables a simultaneous attack on a ship equipped with torpedo countermeasures, such as anti-torpedo torpedoes.

[0072] In another embodiment of the invention, the boat interface remains connected to the weapon via the weapon module interface and the weapon barrel interface until the weapon has been deployed or the connection has been actively severed from the boat side.

[0073] In a further embodiment of the invention, the submarine can eject the weapon module underwater. Depending on its buoyancy, the weapon module can either sink to the bottom or float to the surface, while still maintaining a connection to all weapons ejected from it and serving as a central connection point for the deployed weapons.

[0074] The system according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0075] Fig. 1 first example, top view

[0076] Fig. 2 first example, side view

[0077] Fig. 3 second example, cross-section

[0078] Fig. 4 exemplary weapon module 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 16 / 26

[0079] Figures 1 and 2 show a first exemplary submarine 10 in top and side views. The submarine 10 has a pressure hull 20, a conning tower 12, a conformal acoustic antenna 60, and a planar acoustic side antenna 62. Furthermore, the submarine has a propeller shaft 50 and a propeller 52. In this respect, the submarine 10 corresponds to a standard submarine 10. In the bow area, there is one mounting bracket, on the port and starboard sides of the pressure hull 20, and in the stern area, two mounting brackets, in which weapon modules 30 are arranged. In the example shown, the weapon modules 30 in the bow and stern areas each have two different sizes of weapon tubes 40, while the two weapon modules 30 on either side of the pressure hull are equipped with only one type of weapon tube 40.For example, the side weapon modules could house 30 missiles for combating ASW helicopters, while the forward and aft weapon modules could contain 30 heavyweight torpedoes, larger missiles, and mines. This already readily reveals a first advantage of the invention. Depending on the mission, the weapon modules 30 can be selected, thus adapting the capabilities of the submarine 10 to the specific requirements. Figure 2 clearly shows that the weapon modules 30 extend completely from top to bottom, meaning the weapon tubes 40 can actually be opened from both the top and the bottom.

[0080] Figure 3 shows a second exemplary submarine in cross-section. Here, the weapon modules 30 are arranged next to the pressure hull 20. As shown, an inclination towards the center of the ship is advantageous from an integration perspective. It is also clearly shown here that the weapon modules 30 extend from top to bottom, so that the gun barrels 40 in the weapon modules 30 can be opened at both the top and the bottom.

[0081] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary weapon module 30 with two weapon tubes 40 for two weapons 70, in particular heavyweight torpedoes. The weapons 70 are connected via a connection to a weapon tube interface 72. The two weapon tube interfaces 72 are connected to the weapon module interface 32 and can thus be connected to the ship's systems and therefore remotely controlled. In addition to the weapon 70 and the weapon tube interface 72, each weapon tube 40 contains a 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 17 / 26

[0082] A weapon buoyancy compensator 74, a downforce body 76, and a buoyancy body 78 are arranged. Since the weapon buoyancy compensator 74 almost compensates for the downforce from the weapon and the weapon tube interface 72, the weapon can either be ejected through the upper closable opening 42 by separating from the downforce body but remaining connected to the buoyancy body and rising due to it, or through the lower closable opening 44 by separating from the buoyancy body but remaining connected to the downforce body and sinking due to it. The detached buoyancy and downforce bodies exit the weapon tube in the opposite direction to the weapon.

[0083] For example, four weapon modules 30 shown in Fig. 4 on board a submarine 10 would give the submarine the ability to silently deploy eight heavyweight torpedoes at different positions along its route (and within the range of the communication link), for example, perpendicular to its route and in front of a convoy. As soon as the convoy comes within range of the deployed heavyweight torpedoes, these are all launched simultaneously by wire guidance, so that the convoy is attacked simultaneously from the front and from two sides. The position of the attacking submarine 10 is thus not discernible to the convoy. In addition, this would significantly reduce the probability of defense against torpedoes. This corresponds to the former wolfpack tactic, but with only a single submarine 10. This shows the advantage that can be achieved with the weapon modules 30 according to the invention. 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 18 / 26

[0084] Reference sign

[0085] 10 submarine

[0086] 12 Tower

[0087] 20 pressure bodies

[0088] 30 weapon modules

[0089] 32 Weapon module interface

[0090] 40 gun barrels

[0091] 42 upper lockable opening

[0092] 44 lower lockable opening

[0093] 50 wave

[0094] 52 propellers

[0095] 60 compliant acoustic antenna

[0096] 62 planar acoustic side antennas

[0097] 70 weapon

[0098] 72 Weapon barrel interface

[0099] 74 weapon buoyancy compensators

[0100] 76 Drive bodies

[0101] 78 Buoyancy aids

Claims

240246P10EP 26.01.2026 19 / 26 Patent claims 1. System comprising a submarine (10) with a receiving device for receiving a weapon module (30) and a weapon module (30), wherein the receiving device is arranged vertically or at an angle of less than 60° to the vertical when the submarine (10) is in its normal position, wherein the receiving device has a receiving opening for the weapon module (30) on its upper side, wherein the receiving device has an opening on its lower side such that, without a weapon module (30) inserted into the receiving device, a through passage through the submarine (10) is formed, wherein the weapon module (30) has at least one weapon tube (40) for receiving a weapon (70), wherein the weapon module (30) has a longitudinal direction, wherein the weapon module (30) can be inserted into the receiving device along its longitudinal direction, and wherein the weapon tube (40) is arranged along its longitudinal direction or at an angle of less than 10° to its longitudinal direction.wherein the gun barrel (40) has an upper closable opening (42) and a lower closable opening (44).

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the weapon module (30) is designed to be buoyantly neutral in such a way that the trim and buoyancy changes of the submarine (10), which occur when inserting and removing the weapon module or when sequentially inserting and removing all weapon modules, can be compensated by the trim and control system of the submarine.

3. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weapon module (30) forms the outer shell of the submarine (10) in the area of ​​the upper lockable opening (42) and the lower lockable opening (44).

4. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the submarine (10) has a boat interface for exchanging electrical signals, communication and / or power with the weapon module interface (32) and the weapon tube interface (72). 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 20 / 26 5. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving device is arranged at least partially in front of the pressure hull (20) of the submarine (10).

6. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving device is arranged at least partially behind the pressure hull (20) of the submarine (10).

7. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving device is arranged at least partially laterally next to the pressure hull (20) of the submarine (10).

8. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving device is inclined at the upper end towards the center of the ship.

9. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two receiving devices are arranged symmetrically on the port and starboard sides.

10. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving device does not penetrate the pressure hull (20) of the submarine (10).

11. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weapon module (30) has at least two weapon tubes (40) of caliber 533 mm.

12. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving device has an insertion device for receiving a weapon module (30) into the receiving device.

13. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper lockable opening (42) and the lower lockable opening (44) can be opened and closed reversibly. 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 21 / 26 14. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system has at least two different weapon modules (30) with different weapon tubes (40) for receiving different weapons (70).

15. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a weapon module (30) has different weapon tubes (40) for receiving different weapons (70).

16. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weapon (70) is a torpedo, a mine, an encapsulated missile or a deployable sensor.

17. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weapon module (30) is composed of at least two partial weapon modules.

18. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the combination of the contents of a weapon tube (40) is designed to be buoyantly neutral in such a way that the trim and buoyancy changes of the submarine (10), which occur when the contents (weapon (70), weapon tube interface (72), weapon buoyancy compensator (74), downforce body (76), buoyancy body (78) and incompressible filling) are ejected, can be compensated by the trim and control system of the submarine.

19. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the submarine (10) is unmanned and has no or only a very small pressure hull (20).

20. Method for deploying at least one weapon (70) from a system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a weapon (70) and a weapon buoyancy compensator (74) are inserted into the weapon tube (40) of the weapon module (30). 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 22 / 26 21. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that a buoyancy body (78) is additionally inserted above the weapon (70) including optional weapon tube interface (72) and weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) and a downforce body (76) is inserted below the weapon (70) including optional weapon tube interface (72) and weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) into the weapon tube (40) of the weapon module (30).

22. Method according to one of claims 20 to 21, characterized in that first the upper lockable opening (42) and the lower lockable opening (44) are opened, wherein the weapon (70) is ejected through one of the two lockable openings (42, 44) and the weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) is ejected through the other of the two openings (42, 44).

23. Method according to one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the ejection is carried out solely by means of gravity / buoyancy.

24. Method according to one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that first the upper closable opening (42) and the lower closable opening (44) are opened and then the weapon (70) together with weapon barrel interface (72) and weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) and buoyancy body (78) is separated from the output body (76), wherein the weapon (70) together with weapon barrel interface (72) and weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) and buoyancy body (78) is ejected through the upper closable opening (42) and the output body (76) through the lower closable opening (44).

25. Method according to claim 24, characterized in that the weapon (70) together with optional weapon tube interface (72) and weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) and buoyancy body (78) floats to the water surface after leaving the weapon tube (40) and remains there.

26. Method according to one of claims 24 to 25, characterized in that the weapon (70) together with the weapon tube interface (72) and weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) after leaving the weapon tube (40) 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 23 / 26 separate from the buoyancy body (78), which drifts towards the water surface, while the weapon (70) together with the weapon barrel interface (72) and weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) floats in the water column.

27. Method according to one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that the weapon (70) together with the weapon barrel interface (72) and the weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) has a slight downward thrust and the mechanical connection between the buoyancy body (78) on the one hand and the weapon (70) together with the weapon barrel interface (72) and the weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) on the other hand extends after leaving the weapon barrel (40) such that the buoyancy body floats to the water surface and thus fixes the weapon (70) together with the weapon barrel interface (72) and the weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) in the water column.

28. Method according to one of claims 24 to 27, characterized in that the buoyancy body (78) has a communication function and a data interface to the weapon tube interface (72) in order to transmit target information to the weapon (70) and / or to transmit sensor information from the weapon (70) to the communication network 29. Method according to one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that first the upper closable opening (42) and the lower closable opening (44) are opened and then the weapon (70) together with optional weapon barrel interface (72) and weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) and thrust body (76) is separated from the buoyancy body (78), wherein the weapon (70) together with optional weapon barrel interface (72) and weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) and thrust body (76) is ejected through the lower closable opening (44) and the buoyancy body (78) through the upper closable opening (42).

30. Method according to claim 29, characterized in that the weapon (70), together with the weapon tube interface (72), weapon buoyancy compensator (74), and thruster (76), drifts to the seabed after leaving the weapon tube (40) and remains there. 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 24 / 26 31. Method according to one of claims 29 to 30, characterized in that the weapon (70) together with optional weapon tube interface (72) and weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) separates from the descent body (76) after leaving the weapon tube (40), which drifts to the seabed, while the weapon (70) together with optional weapon tube interface (72) and weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) floats in the water column.

32. Method according to one of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that the weapon (70) together with optional weapon tube interface (72) and weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) has a slight buoyancy and the mechanical connection between the deceleration body (76) on the one hand and the weapon (70) together with optional weapon tube interface (72) and weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) on the other hand extends after leaving the weapon tube (40) such that the deceleration body (76) drifts to the seabed and thus fixes the weapon (70) together with optional weapon tube interface (72) and weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) in the water column.

33. Method according to one of claims 20 to 32, characterized in that the weapon buoyancy compensating body (74) actively regulates its buoyancy / downforce in order to keep the weapon (70) together with the weapon barrel interface (72) in a defined depth range within the water column.

34. Method according to one of claims 20 to 33, characterized in that the weapon (70) initially remains unpowered at the ejected position after ejection, wherein the submarine (10) moves away from the ejection position after the weapon (70) has been ejected, wherein the weapon (70) is remotely controlled and launched, preferably when the submarine (10) is at a safe distance.

35. Method according to one of claims 20 to 34, characterized in that at least two weapons (70) are deployed, wherein the two weapons (70) are deployed at the same or different positions.

36. Method according to one of claims 20 to 35, characterized in that the boat interface is connected via the weapon module interface (32) and the 240246P10EP 26.01.2026 25 / 26 The gun barrel interface (72) remains connected to the gun (70) until the gun (70) has been deployed or the connection has been actively cut off from the boat side.

37. Method according to one of claims 20 to 36, characterized in that the submarine (10) can eject the weapon module (30) underwater and the latter then either sinks to the bottom or floats to the surface according to its buoyancy, wherein the weapon module (30) still retains the connection to all weapons (70) ejected from it, and can be used there as a central connection point to the deployed weapons (70).

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