An Innovative Flex Hose System for the Mk 48 Torpedo

Nielsen Engineering & Research (NEAR) is proposing to develop a new flex-hose system that will allow USN submarines to deploy the Mk 48 torpedo in shallow water or in close proximity to the sea floor. A number of concepts are proposed that can potentially keep the flex-hose an acceptable distance from the submarine, sea floor, and surface during both transient and steady-state operation. To fully assess the feasibility of each design concept, a series of numerical analyses will be conducted using simulation tools currently available at NEAR. The simulations will predict the time-dependent motion of the hose end as a function of the torpedo speed, torpedo position relative to the submarine at the time of hose release, torpedo elevation above the sea floor, submarine elevation above the sea floor, submarine speed, and submarine maneuvering. Using these advanced simulation tools, NEAR will evaluate the performance of the proposed flex-hose designs, select the two with the most potential, and then focus on refining these designs for optimal performance. The Phase I contract will result in two designs which are ready for fabrication and at-sea testing during the Phase II effort.