Automated Asset Deployment and Retrieval System from Organic Offboard Vehicles (OOVs)

The US Navy will use growing numbers of unmanned autonomous vehicles to perform a variety of functions including mine surveillance and subsurface mapping, particularly in connection with missions for the Littoral Combat Ship. These functions are often performed by deployment of sensors, sources and arrays from organic offboard vehicles (OOVs). Bluefin Robotics Corp. intends to partner with Brooke Ocean Technology Ltd. (BOT) and proposes to develop a single system capable of deploying many different towed assets such as sensors, and arrays. Our proposed system will enable OOVs to meet the broad range of needs for multiple missions with a single D and R system and will be capable of automated launching, towing and retrieving many types of towed assets including sensors, sources and arrays from Unmanned Surface Vehicles.