Not applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the development of electronic countermeasures and is directed more particularly to an assembly for launching undersea warfare countermeasures which serve as decoys and to jam and confuse sonar systems of submarines and torpedoes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Acoustic countermeasure devices have become an integral part of undersea warfare. Such devices are used to confuse hostile sonar systems and thereby protect own force assets. Typical countermeasures are launched from a submarine and transmit acoustic signals. The signals are transmitted at a selected depth in the ocean and the devices are maintained at the selected depth by an active compensation system which maintains buoyancy. In practice, the devices typically are slightly negatively buoyant, requiring means for providing upward force to maintain depth.
Referring to FIG. 1, it will be seen that a known prior art countermeasure assembly 10 includes a cylindrical tube 12 in which are disposed a buoyancy maintenance system and countermeasures electronics (not shown). Fixed to the tube 12 is a transducer 14 which transmits signals from the countermeasure assembly 10. A protective sabot 16 fits over the transducer 14 and is of a configuration which continues the cylindrical configuration of the tube 12.
Submarines are provided with launch tubes 20 having therein a ram plate 22, and a muzzle cap 26 disposed in a discharge end 28 of the tube 20 and held therein by shear pins 30. The launch tubes 20 typically are mounted outside the pressure hull of the submarine. The launch tube 20, ram plate 22, and muzzle cap 26 define a compartment 32 complementary in shape and size to the countermeasure assembly 10 and sabot 16.
Mounted in the tube 20 adjacent the ram plate 22 is a gas generator 34. From within the submarine the gas generator 34 is activated to release gas under pressure. The gas forces the ram plate forwardly, to the right as viewed in FIG. 1. The ram plate 22 and countermeasure 10, including the transducer 14 and sabot 16, move forwardly in the tube 12, shearing the muzzle cap shear pins 30 and blowing away the muzzle cap 26. The counter measure 10, transducer 14, and sabot 16 exit the tube 12, with the transducer 14 protected during transit by the sabot 16.
In due course, the sabot 16 drops away and the countermeasure 10, including the transducer 14, seeks a pre-selected depth from which to operate.
Recent advances in the buoyancy maintenance and transducer structure areas have resulted in reduced space requirements for countermeasures. It is now feasible from a size standpoint to launch two or more countermeasures from the prior art launch tube shown in FIG. 1.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a marine countermeasures launch assembly which facilitates the launch of a plurality of countermeasures from a single prior art launch tube.
With the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, a feature of the present invention is the provision of a marine countermeasures launch assembly comprising a cylindrical body comprising first and second members having, respectively, first and second surfaces engageable with each other to form the body. The first surface is provided with first and second recesses therein and the second surface is provided with first and second recesses opposed to the recesses of the first member when the members are engaged, to form a first chamber for retaining a first countermeasure and a second chamber for retaining a second countermeasure. The first and second surfaces have opposed bores therein. A spring is disposed in each pair of the opposed bores and urges the members to separate from each other to release the countermeasures after the assembly is launched.
The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular assembly embodying the invention is shown by way of illustration only and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.