Next Generation Controlled Impulse Ejection System

Submarine countermeasures can be launched underwater at a range of depths that spans the submarine operational spectrum. Because the family of countermeasures may require a range of ejection impulses to reduce the pressure stress and shock environment, a variable ejection system is needed to deliver the required impulse based on specific countermeasure properties and launch depth. The current system uses a common fixed output ejection system for all devices to be ejected. The next-generation ejection system will have the capability to automatically select and control the impulse imparted to the ejected device with the impulse being tailored to the weight and desired velocity of the device to be ejected. In the proposed Phase I program, concept feasibility and suitability for optimized countermeasure ejection will be demonstrated through a combination of simulation and experimentation. A simulation capability will be developed that includes the parameters and physical phenomena that are required to properly describe the ejection event. By simulation, the baseline design can be optimized to meet the impulse and countermeasure ejection velocity requirement with a minimum peak acceleration level. Full-scale experimental work will help to validate the simulation capability and demonstrate the critical functions of the ejector concept.