Patent ID: 6118066
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: B63C,B63G,F42B

Abstract:
An unmanned, autonomous, undersea platform launched from a host vessel, the platform extending a sphere of influence of the vessel, the platform comprising:at least one communication system maintaining communications between the platform and the host vessel;a hydrodynamically and stealth shaped outer surface, the shaped outer surface minimizing noise, wake and detectability of the platform;a mast extendibly attached to the platform and forming a vertical stabilizer of the platform when the mast is extended from the platform, the mast supporting the at least one communication system above a surface of the undersea environment when the mast is extended for communications, the at least one communication system forming a horizontal stabilizer for the platform when the mast is extended, the horizontal stabilizer conforming to the shaped outer surface when the mast is not extended;at least one sensor gathering data of an undersea environment surrounding the platform; andat least one onboard data processor controlling autonomous operation of the platform based on a combination of mission directives input to the processor and environmental data received from the at least one sensor.