Compact, lightweight sensor handling system for unmanned vehicles

Unmanned systems are increasingly being used in a broad range of missions in the littorals. To meet mission requirements in a cost effective manner, USVs must deploy a variety of towed subsystems. Each unmanned system is now designed with unique handling gear for deployment and retrieval. With limited space aboard LCS and high life cycle cost, it is desirable to move towards a small set of common subsystems used by USVs and UUVs to meet critical missions. USVs face a significant challenge in meeting the speed-depth profile for towed sensors. A lightweight sensor handling system with power to the deployed sensor and bi-directional high data rate communications is contrary to conventional surface platform design principles which use heavy tow cables, dead weight depressors, or dynamic-lift depressors to achieve depth. The technology solution that is proposed here is a Propelled Tow Body (PTB) (powered through the tow cable) which achieves depth using forward thrust instead of weight and/or downward lift. The USV-PTB system will be designed to optimize the speed-depth towing profile while minimizing the towing tension at the USV. This will be achieved through a combination of the towed body’s weight in water, downward lift and propulsion.