Patent ID: 7975614
Filing Date: 2011-07-12
Classification: F41H,F42B,G01S

Abstract:
1. An acoustic shotgun system comprising: a tapered underwater projectile capable of operating at supercavitation speed, said supercavitating projectile having disposed therein a plurality of pellets; a cylindrical gun barrel for holding and firing said underwater projectile, said gun barrel having an inside diameter sized to accommodate said tapered underwater projectile; a sensing means positioned underwater adjacent said gun barrel, for detecting and transmitting said acoustic signal from said pellets; a sonar system attached to said sensing means, capable of receiving said transmitted acoustic signal from said sensing means and determining therefrom the range and position of a target; a cylindrical pusher, disposable in said gun barrel aft of said projectile in contact therewith, for exerting a motive force upon said projectile sufficient to produce supercavitation thereof; a first explosive charge, positioned aft of said pusher, for controllably exerting upon detonation said motive force against said pusher; and a tapered foam sabot, surrounding the tapered portion of said projectile in said gun barrel, for providing moveable support to said projectile during launch.