High Sea State Automated Deployment and Retrieval of Towed Bodies from a Small Surface Platform

The objective of this proposal is to design & develop a system for automated deployment & retrieval of Very Small USVs (VSUSVs) from a larger USV. This work will be based on extensive previous developmental research with both autonomous control and launch and recovery system design. Previously, successful deployment & retrieval operations have required human interaction in low sea states, which is not suitable for use on an unmanned platform. The objective is to perform the associated tasks of deployment & retrieval utilizing intelligent autonomous control capable of controlling both platforms. For launching, the autonomous control will provide the launch vessel with precise positioning and vessel pose to allow for safe deployment of the VSUSV. For recovery, autonomous control will be used to perform a precision rendezvous between vessels and affect capture of the VSUSV in the designed mechanism. Additionally, variable physical parameters relating to surface craft, vessel dynamics, operating capabilities, etc. are a key focal point tasked to the program. Consideration of all these variables is critical to ensure program objectives are addressed