This patent application discloses a submarine mast simulator as part of a buoyant tow body having a hydrodynamically shaped shell. The mast simulator includes a rigid lower mast section and an inflatable upper mast section extendable from the tow body. A plurality of stabilizer fins extend radially from the tail of the tow body, the fins being actuated to cause the ascent and descent of the tow body. A pressure sensor is positioned on an outer surface of the tow body for detecting the depth of the tow body, and a motor with controller is housed within the tow body. The controller initiates the extension of the mast simulator in response to a depth indication. The overall purpose of this invention is to provide a submarine mast simulator for antisubmarine warfare training. This invention does the following: simulates the visual appearance, radar footprint, infrared/chemical emissions, and wake generation characteristics of a submarine mast protruding above a water surface; is easy to launch and recover; is towable by an unmanned underwater vehicle; and is inexpensive to manufacture. (6 figures).
Towable Submarine Mast Simulator
2003
21 pages
Report
No indication
English
Marine Engineering , Antisubmarine Warfare , Government Inventions for Licensing , Simulators , Patent applications , Masts , Inflatable structures , Towed bodies , Submarine periscopes , Underwater vehicles , Infrared signatures , Low costs , Elastomers , Shells(Structural forms) , Lightweight , Actuators , Pumps , Submarine detection , Reusable equipment , Antisubmarine warfare , Radar signatures , Naval training , Fins , Inventions , Buoyancy , Snorkels , Depth indicators , Solenoid valves , Submarine signatures , Submarine masts , Submarine mast simulators , Visual appearance , Radar footprint , Chemical vapor signature , Wake signature , Uuv(Unmanned underwater vehicles) , Rigid lower mast , Inflatable upper mast , Stabilizer fins , Pressure sensors , Air pumps