Abstract:
A rocket propelled textile and cordage net fire extinguishing system is deployed from a platform at a safe standoff distance from a fire. The rocket propelled matrix-like net flies over, lands on, and drapes over the burning site. A detonating means, or detonating network on the net is actuated to rupture spaced-apart canisters on the net that are filled with halon and/or other fire extinguishing compounds. The detonating network quickly disperses the fire extinguishing compounds to engulf and extinguish the fire safely and efficiently without unduly exposing fire fighters to danger. The net fire extinguisher system can extinguish fires aboard a maritime vessel, particularly when the burning craft cannot be safely boarded or burns so fiercely that it cannot be approached closely. The net fire extinguisher system can combat highly dangerous fires including chemical and oil fires, (oil rig fires) on land and at sea.

Description:
[0001]    CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
         [0002]    This is a continuation in part of copending U.S. patent application entitled “System for Arresting a Seagoing Vessel” by Robert Woodall et al., U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Ser. No. 09/698,663 (NC 82550), filed Oct. 30, 2000 and incorporates all references and information thereof by reference herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST  
       [0003] The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    This invention relates to devices to fight fires. More particularly, the fire extinguisher system of this invention is deployed quickly from a platform at a safe standoff distance from a fire to safely and efficiently suppress it without undue exposure to danger.  
           [0005]    Currently, fire fighters are without an effective large-scale system, aside from standard water hoses and helicopter “dump buckets.” These systems cannot deploy safely and quickly to effectively suppress fires. Tug boats or water trucks carrying pumps and attached fire hoses are used to combat fire at sea or on land and have met with limited success. This is because relatively small streams of water are pumped onto one or more localized points in the fire zone. These small streams quite often are in insufficient quantities to quickly suppress a raging fire safely and effectively. In addition, often it is extremely dangerous for these firefighting platforms to get very close to the burning sites, and hence, the limited effectiveness of their spraying equipment is further reduced. Because water, related water-based, or water-deployed fire fighting chemicals are usually the only agents available for these contemporary firefighting platforms, more highly effective fire suppressant chemical compounds or materials cannot be brought in sufficient quantities into the fire zone in a timely fashion to suppress fires throughout the complete fire zone.  
           [0006]    Thus, in accordance with this inventive concept, a need has been recognized in the state of the art for a rocket deployed, textile and cordage supported fire extinguisher system to safely, and effectively combat large-scale fires with huge payloads of fire fighting compounds.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention provides a system to suppress fires at a burning site. A matrix-like net structure is connected to frangible canisters of fire extinguishing compounds connected to a detonating network of pyrotechnic elements. Rockets connected to the net structure pull it from a platform, fly it to and over a nearby burning site, and drape the net over the site. Activation of the detonating network ruptures the canisters and disperses the fire extinguishing compounds to extinguish the fire.  
           [0008]    An object of the invention is to provide a system for safely extinguishing a fire at a burning site from a nearby launch platform.  
           [0009]    Another object is to provide a system for extinguishing a highly dangerous fire with significant quantities of fire extinguishing compounds safely and effectively.  
           [0010]    Another object is to provide a system for extinguishing fires having net structure supporting canisters of fire extinguishing compounds dispersed by pyrotechnics.  
           [0011]    Another object is to provide a system for extinguishing fires having rockets deploying net structure supporting many canisters of fire extinguishing compounds that flies to and drapes over a burning site.  
           [0012]    Another object is to provide a system for extinguishing fires having net structure supporting many canisters of fire extinguishing compounds that flies to and drapes over a burning site to disperse the chemicals by activated pyrotechnics to suppress the fire.  
           [0013]    Another object is to provide a method of packing a matrix-like net supporting canisters of fire extinguishing compounds and a detonating network that assures reliable deployment from a launch platform to a burning site to extinguish a fire.  
           [0014]    These and other objects of the invention will become more readily apparent from the ensuing specification when taken in conjunction with the appended claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of the fire fighting system of the invention during deployment.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 a  shows an isometric top-view of the fire fighting system of the invention during deployment over a burning marine vessel.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 2, 3,  4 , and  5  show exemplary arrangements of canisters containing fire extinguishing compound and components of a detonating network mounted on textile cordage of the net.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 6 and 7 are a top view and side cutaway view of a container mounted on a launch platform, and the net and canisters of fire extinguishing compound connected to rockets and packed in the container.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 schematically depicts the step of longitudinally folding a matrix-like net in a series of longitudinally extending strips between top and bottom longitudinal folds of a first method of folding and packing the net having canisters of fire extinguishing compound and a detonating network mounted thereon in a stowage container.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 schematically depicts the step of stacking the longitudinally extending strips and the top and bottom longitudinal folds to lie adjacent one another of the first method.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 schematically depicts the step of laterally folding the stacked longitudinal strips and top and bottom longitudinal folds to create a series of laterally extending laterally folded strips between top and bottom lateral folds of the matrix-like net of the first method.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 schematically depicts the step of fitting the series of laterally extending laterally folded strips of the matrix-like net and its associated components together into a compact folded package in the container of the first method.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12 schematically depicts the step of laterally folding a matrix-like net in a series of laterally extending strips between top and bottom lateral folds of a second method of folding and packing the net having canisters of fire extinguishing compound and a detonating network mounted thereon in a stowage container.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 13 schematically depicts the step of stacking said laterally extending strips and said top and bottom lateral folds to lie adjacent one another of the second method.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 14 schematically depicts the step of longitudinally folding the stacked lateral strips and top and bottom lateral folds to create a series of longitudinally extending longitudinal folded strips between top and bottom longitudinal folds of the matrix-like net of the second method.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 15 schematically depicts the step of fitting the matrix-like net and its associated components together into a compact folded package in the container of the second method. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0027]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1A, fire-fighting system  10  is depicted during flight from a launch platform  7  (a fire boat) and to and over a burning site  8  (a burning marine vessel) on the surface of the ocean  9 . Fire fighting system  10  of this invention is a highly effective means to stop a fire under hazardous conditions, such as offshore disasters where a burning oil rig or maritime vessel cannot be boarded or when it is unsafe for fire fighting equipment and/or personnel to be in close proximity to fight the fire. System  10  additionally can be used to extinguish chemical or other dangerous fires on land.  
         [0028]    Fire fighting system  10  has a net  12  made of a matrix of flexible lengths  13  of textile and cordage appropriately tied and/or otherwise interconnected together within the boundaries of a perimeter  12 ′ having a leading edge  12 a and trailing edge  12   b  and a first side edge  12   c  and second side edge  12   d.  Matrix-like net  12  also includes flexible elongate strength members  14  that longitudinally extend along opposite sides of net  12  at first side edge  12   c  and second side edge  12   d  and are connected to flexible lengths  13  of textile and cordage. A plurality of frangible canisters  20  is secured to flexible lengths  13  of textile and cordage of net  12  in a spaced-apart relationship virtually throughout the length and width of net  12 . Each frangible canister  20  is filled with fire extinguishing compound  22  that could be water, halon and/or other liquid, granular, or powdered solid material chemical compound, or gaseous chemical compounds or compositions to extinguish or otherwise suppress a fire. Net  12  additionally supports an interconnected detonating network, or detonating means  24  including at least one fuze  26  connected to flexible detonating lines  28  that each extends and connects to a number of canisters  20 . Actuation of fuze  26  causes detonating network  24  to activate all detonating lines  28  which rupture and fragment all canisters  20 , and all fire extinguishing compound  22  of canisters  20  is virtually simultaneously released and dispersed throughout the area of a burning site inside of and nearby perimeter  12 ′ of net  12 .  
         [0029]    Strength members  14  are secured via leading ends  14   a  at leading edge  12   a  of net  12  to tow lines  17  extending to rockets  15  and via trailing ends  14 b at trailing edge  12   b  of net  12  to drogue chutes  18 . Strength members  14  are made from strong cords, or lines, such as wire cables, nylon, or the materials marketed under the trademark KEVLAR by E. I. DuPont Inc., 1007 Market Street, Wilmington Del. 19898 and SPECTRA by Honeywell Inc., P.O. Box No. 2245, Morristown, N.J. 07962. Strength members  14  provide structural integrity and bear the load of net  12 , canisters  20 , compound  22 , detonating network  24 , and drag of entrained air and slipstream in drogue chutes  17 . This load is created when rockets  15  pull these constituents of system  10  from a box-like stowage container  30  on a launch platform  7  (see also FIGS. 6 and 7) during launch, or deployment of system  10  and fly them over the burning marine vessel of burning site  8 . In addition to having sufficiently strong strength members  14  at opposite sides of net  12 , the interconnected lengths  13  of textile and/or cordage of net  12  also are made from various kinds of textile material tied or otherwise connected together where they cross each other to create a matrix-like pattern within perimeter  12 ′. Lengths  13  have sufficient strength to bear at least some portions of this load created during launch and flight of system  10 . Accordingly, net  12  stays intact and holds together while it flies to and drapes over burning site  8  to keep its associated components (the spaced-apart canisters  20  of fire extinguishing compound  22  and detonating network  28 ) positioned for effective fire suppression. Strength members  14  are provided with a spaced-apart weights  14   aa  along side edges  12   c  and  12   d  (and optionally, although not shown, along edges  12   a  and  12   b  ) to help the sides of net  12  drape downward along the sides and over a burning site just prior to detonation of detonating lines  28 .  
         [0030]    Rockets  15  are two high-payload rocket motors providing sufficient thrust to pull these constituents of system  10  from container  30  on launch platform  7 , fly them across the safe-separation distance between launch platform  7  and burning site  8 , and land-and-drape them over burning site  8 . Rockets  15  have the right amount of thrust to fly the constituents of system  10  for the duration of transit across the safe-separation distance between launch platform  7  and burning site  8  and then turn off, or burn out to place the constituents of system  10  in a position that covers and drapes over burning site  8 . Next, fuze  26  is actuated by an interconnected subsystem  26   a  in fuze  26  either autonomously after a delay or upon receipt of an RF OR ELF to VLF command signal from launch platform  7 .  
         [0031]    Fuzing subsystem  26   a  of fuze  26  is connected to an antenna  26   b  on a float  26   c  to receive detonation control signals from launch platform  7  to effect activation, or detonation of pyrotechnic power elements of detonating lines  28 . An example of a suitable fuze subsystem  26   a  in fuze  26  is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 09/228,074, filed Jan. 5, 1999 (Navy Case 78802), and entitled “Magneto Inductive On-Command Fuze,” and a timer circuit  26   d  also can be included in fuzing subsystem  26   a  of fuze  26  to effect activation of detonating lines  28  after a predetermined delay. Other suitable subsystems receiving control signals from remote sources to detonate components form fuze  26  could be used. Detonating lines  28  of system  10  can be in accordance with the design of several contemporary pyrotechnic power elements.  
         [0032]    When detonating lines  28  are electrical leads each connected to explosive squibs  28   aa  inside of each canister  20 , actuated fuze  26  sends appropriate signals over them to detonate explosive squibs  28   aa,  see FIG. 1. This fragments canisters  20  and disperses the liquid, powered, or gaseous forms of fire fighting compound  22  from fragmented canisters  20 . When detonating lines  28  connected to fuze  26  are explosive detonating cords  28 ′, see FIGS. 2 and 3, or explosive flexible linear shaped charges  28 ″, see FIGS. 4 and 5, the exploding detonating cords  28 ′ or flexible linear shaped-charges  28 ″ rupture, or fragment canisters  20  and disperse the liquid, powered, or gaseous forms of firefighting compound  22  around the fire to extinguish it. An example of a suitable detonating cord  28 ′ for detonating line  28  is disclosed in U.S. patent application No. 09/215,923, filed Dec. 10, 1998 (NC 79294), and entitled “High Output Insensitive Munition Detonating Cord.” 
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 2 additionally shows detonating line  28  being explosive detonating cord  28 ″ connected to a cylindrically-shaped canister  20  of liquid, powdered, or gaseous forms of fire extinguishing compound  22  by ring-shaped clamps  28   a,  and canister  20  is connected at its end to cordage  13  of net  12  by clamp  13   a.  FIG. 3 additionally depicts detonating cord  28 ′ of detonating line  28  extending through and retained, or secured in an axial longitudinal opening  20   a  in a tubular-shaped canister  20 ′. Canister  20 ′ can be filled with liquid, powdered, or gaseous form of fire extinguishing compound  22 , and it is connected on its outer rounded surface to cordage  13  of net  12  by clamp  13   a.  Detonation of detonating cord  28 ′ fragments canisters  20  and  20 ′ and effectively disperses fire fighting compound  22  to extinguish a fire. FIG. 4 additionally shows detonating line  28  being an explosive elongate flexible linear shaped-charge  28 ″ of explosive material connected to a cylindrical-shaped canister  20  of fire extinguishing compound  22  by ring-shaped clamps  28   a,  and canister  20  is connected at its end to cordage  13  of net  12  by clamp  13   a.  When flexible linear shaped-charge  28 ″ is detonated, it directs a linear high-energy, focused, shock wave of expanding gases along its length, similar to the point of high-energy point expanding gases generated by a conventional shaped-charge, to ensure fragmentation of canisters  20  and dispersion of fire extinguishing compound  22 . In FIG. 5 additionally shows flexible linear shaped charge  28 ″ of detonating line  28  extending through and being retained, or secured in an axial longitudinal opening  20   a  in a tubular-shaped canister  201 . Canister  201  can be filled with liquid, powdered, or gaseous forms of fire extinguishing compound  22 , and it is connected on its outer rounded surface to cordage  13  of net  12  by clamp  13   a.  The components and interconnections of FIGS. 2, 3,  4 , and  5  are meant to be exemplary and can be readily modified to accommodate materials at hand and different operational requirements. Having the teachings disclosed herein one skilled in the art can select many other suitable components and arrangements within the scope of the invention.  
         [0034]    Referring also to FIGS. 6 and 7, fire extinguisher system  10  has a container  30  mounted on launch platform  7  that might be an oceangoing vessel. Two rockets  15  are mounted in launch racks  16  on container  30  and have short lengths of tow line  17  that are connected via connectors  17   a  to reinforced forward corners A and B of net  12  stowed in container  30 . As shown in FIG. 7, net may be folded in such a fashion, such as by the methods described below, to locate canisters  20  of fire extinguishing compound  22  and detonating network  28  inside and at the bottom of container  30  to reduce the possibility of damaging canisters  20  and detonating network  28  or deforming the folded net  12  and/or creating obstacles that might otherwise impede and/or snag net  12  as it is being deployed. When rockets  15  receive a launch signal from a fire control  31  on launch platform  7 , rockets  15  are launched from launch racks  16 , and tow lines  17  pull reinforced corners A and B on net  12 . A cover  32  of container  30  is rotated about hinge  33  to allow rockets  15  to pull matrix-like net  12  and its associated components from container  30 .  
         [0035]    Launch racks  16  are aimed to point rockets  15  upward and away from launch platform  7  and toward burning site  8 . This longitudinally extends net  12  and its associated components mounted on it to full longitudinal extension of net  12  as they fly to burning site  8 . Launch racks  16  are oriented with respect to each other to point, or aim rockets  15  in directions that slightly diverge from one another by a few degrees. This divergence assures that net  12  and its associated components mounted on it are laterally spread-out to full lateral extension of net  12  by the time rockets  15  pull them to the area of burning site  8 . Deployed in this manner, net  12  and its supported components can cover and drape over the area of the burning site. When detonating network  24  is actuated to fragment canisters  20  and disperse fire-extinguishing compound  22  from fragmented canisters  20 , the fire at burning site  8  is extinguished.  
         [0036]    Fire extinguishing system  10  can be packed by two volumetrically efficient and relatively uncomplicated packing methods that ensure reliable dynamic deployments to burning sites. A first method of packing has matrix-like net  12  and its associated components (canisters  20  of fire extinguishing compound  22  and detonating network  24 ) placed on a flat surface. Forward corners A and B at leading edge  12   a  of net  12  have been reinforced for connection to tow lines  17  extending to rockets  15 . The exemplary net  12  is longer in a longitudinal dimension than a lateral dimension; however, differently proportioned net structures can be made and folded as disclosed herein. Referring to FIG. 8, matrix-like net  12  is schematically shown as longitudinally folded along the longitudinal extension of net  12  to create a series  41  of longitudinally extending strips  42  between top and bottom longitudinal folds  43  and  44 . Referring to FIG. 9, successive ones of longitudinal folds  43  and  44  are schematically shown as formed in net  12  by successively rotating net  12  in opposite rotational directions about each longitudinal fold to place strips  42  between folds  43  and  44  lying adjacent to one another in an accordion-like longitudinally extending stack  45 . Referring to FIG. 10, now stack  45  of longitudinal strips  42  and longitudinal folds  43  and  44  is schematically shown as being rotated ninety degrees around the longitudinal extension, or axis of stack  45  to lie on an outer one of strips  42  and be laterally folded along the lateral extension of net  12  to create a series  46  of laterally extending folded strips  47  between top and bottom lateral folds  48  and  49  of net  12 . Successive ones of top and bottom lateral folds  48  and  49  are formed in net  12  by successively rotating net  12  in opposite rotational directions about each lateral fold to place lateral strips  47  and top and bottom lateral folds  48  and  49  of series  46  lying adjacent to one another in an accordion-like laterally extending stack  49   a.    
         [0037]    Referring to FIG. 11, stack  49   a  of series  46  of laterally extending folded strips  47  between top and bottom lateral folds  48  and  49  of net  12  and its associated components is schematically shown pressed, or fitted together into a compact package  40   a  that is packed into container  30 . Reinforced corners A and B of leading edge  12   a  of net  12  are located to be at the top of package  40   a  to connect to tow lines  17  from rockets  15 , and cover  32  now may be rotated shut. Canisters  20  and detonating network  28  may be located on net  12  to place them to rest on container  30  when net  12  is folded.  
         [0038]    A second method of packing net  12  also requires that net  12  and its associated components be laid out on a flat surface and that forward corner A on leading edge  12   a  and rear corner D on trailing edge  12   b  have been reinforced for connection to tow lines  17  extending to rockets  15 . Like the method disclosed above, the exemplary net  12  is longer in a longitudinal dimension than a lateral dimension. Referring to FIG. 12, matrix-like net  12  is schematically shown as laterally folded along the lateral extension of net  12  to create a series  51  of laterally extending strips  52  and top and bottom lateral folds  53  and  54 . Referring to FIG. 13, successive ones of folds  53  and  54  are schematically shown as formed in net  12  by successively rotating net  12  in opposite rotational directions about each lateral fold to place strips  52  and folds  53  and  54  lying adjacent to one another in an accordion-like longitudinally extending stack  55 . Referring to FIG. 14, now, stack  55  of strips  52  and folds  53  and  54  is schematically shown rotated ninety degrees about the lateral extension, or axis to lie on an outer one of strips  52  and be longitudinally folded along the longitudinal extension of net  12  to create a series  56  of longitudinally extending folded strips  57  between top and bottom longitudinal folds  58  and  59  of net  12 . Successive ones of folds  58  and  59  are formed in net  12  by successively rotating net  12  in opposite rotational directions about each longitudinal fold to place strips  57  and folds  58  and  59  of series  56  lying adjacent to one another in an accordion-like longitudinally extending stack  59   a.    
         [0039]    Referring to FIG. 15, stack  59   a  of series  56  of net  12  and its associated components is schematically shown as pressed, or fitted together into a compact package  50   a , see FIG. 15. Package  50   a  is packed in container  30  to place reinforced corners A and C on edge  12   c  of net  12  at the top of packing to connect to tow lines  17  from rockets  15  and cover  32  may be rotated shut on container  30 . Like the packing of the first method, canisters  20  and detonating network  28  may be located on net  12  to place them to rest on container  30  when net  12  is folded.  
         [0040]    Using the second packing scheme will result in net  12  and its associated components being deployed sideways to cover a wider yet shallower area as compared to the deployment of net  12  in FIGS. 1 and 1 a . In other words, using the second packing method of net  12  and its associated components will cause net  12  to be deployed from container rotated ninety degrees about a vertically extending axis as compared to the deployment shown in FIGS. 1 and 1 a . Edge  12   d  of net  12  will be the leading edge of net and edge  12   c  will be the trailing edge. Drogue chutes  18  may be coupled to corners B and C and weights  14   aa  along edges  12   c  and  12   d  may be supplemented with weights  14   aa  distributed along edges  12   a  and  12   b , (not shown). In addition, the references to the terms top and bottom with respect to the description of the two packing methods are for the purposes of explanation. That is to say, the designations top and bottom could have been left and right without the ninety-degree rotations of net  12  after it had been folded. Other different and distinguishable terms might have been used to demonstrate the relationships of different folds to net  12  and/or one another.  
         [0041]    Referring to FIG. 7, in addition to packing net  12  and its associated components by the first and second folding and packing methods described above, a dry coating  60  can be included on each layer of the folded net  12  of system  10 . Talcum powder or other friction reducing means might be used as coating  60  to eliminate layer-to-layer sticking of stacked layers prior to and during deployment of system  10 . Sheet-layers  61  of thin low friction (surface energy) polymers and/or other powdered friction reducing materials can also be placed between each layer of the folded net  12  of system  10  to keep fabric/cordage constituents from sticking to one another. A thin and frangible polymeric bag  62  may surround the folded net  12  and associated components of system  10  and be vacuum packed to ensure that more efficient volumetric packaging is created that does not interfere or hinder the reliable unfolding and deployment of system  10 .  
         [0042]    Optionally, each layer of net  12  and its associated components of system  10  may be held together and/or to container  30  by small frangible thread/cordage elements  63  connecting each successive fold to the next. Upon deployment by rockets  15  and subsequent tensile loading, thread/cordage elements  63  sequentially break reliably and consistently at predetermined levels of force during deployment to release the folded and layered net  12  and associated components of system  10  in the proper sequential timing and order. This sequential breaking can be controlled by using different pieces for thread/cordage elements  63  that have different strengths to hold successive layers of the folded structure together. Opening the folded net  12  and associated components of system  10  therefore occurs in a preferred fashion; i.e., back to front, front to back, center to front, and center to back, etc. to most effectively deliver fire extinguishing compounds on a fire.  
         [0043]    Another option is to connect each successive layer together with a substantial reefing line  65  that is connected to an aerospace quality reefing line cutter  66  on container  30 . Cutter  66  contains a highly reliable delay actuator  67 , such that the release timing and order of each layer of the folded system  10  can be accurately and precisely controlled to yield a more reliable and effective timing and trajectory during deployment of system  10 . The time delays of each reefing line cutter  66  can be tailored to a desired timing sequence. Such reefing line cutters  66  and delay actuators  67  are currently manufactured using proprietary processes by Roberts Research Laboratory located in Torrance California. Whichever method of packing is selected, the optional connections of cordage elements  63 , reefing lines  65  and reefing line cutters  66  for net  12 , fuze  26 , canisters  20 , and detonating lines  28  can be appropriately attached to the folded system  10 , see FIG. 7.  
         [0044]    Irrespective which method of packing is chosen, when rockets  15  are actuated and start to fly toward the burning site, tow lines  17  pull reinforced corners A and B from container  30 . The rest of net  12  and canisters  20  of fire extinguishing compound  22  follow in close order out of container  30 , spread out as they fly to and over the burning site, and drape over it as rockets  15  burn out. System  10  is deployed in a rectangular-shape the size of net  12  that effectively covers a burning site in an area that has a greater depth as compared to its width. Timely actuation of detonating network  24  assures fragmentation of canisters  20  and effective dispersion of fire extinguishing compound to quickly put out the fire in this area.  
         [0045]    Another option is that system  10  can be ejected from container  30  and deployed en mass. That is, the entire packaged net  12  and associated components of system  10  can fly out of container  30 . The entire folded package can fly downrange a considerable distance by rockets  15  and then, at a predetermined time, the folded package is opened in a preferred prescribed sequence such as by selectively breaking cordage elements to deploy over the selected target as described before using reefing line cutters  66  and/or small frangible thread/cordage elements  63 . Net  12  and its associated components of system  10  can suppress fire on land as well as at sea, can be used to suppress fire aboard moving vehicles, and put out tank fires and oil rig fires. System  10  is scalable.  
         [0046]    One size of system  10  deployed a payload of 2,450 pounds and covered an area of 180 feet by 240 feet. It was launched from a standoff position about 1,000 feet away from a fire zone at an average speed of approximately 100 feet/second. If a shorter standoff distance were acceptable (safe), this particular system  10  could be reconfigured accordingly for a corresponding increase of payload, (about a maximum predicted payload of 9,800 pounds) when using same rocket motors that were used for the 1000-foot standoff. Other rocket motors, payload densities (payload weights/areas), and standoff distances are doable, depending on the target area of the intended fire zone, the efficiency of the fire fighting payload, etc. A nearly infinite variety of payloads, deployments and net-opening sequences may be done.  
         [0047]    Having the teachings of this invention in mind, different applications, modifications and alternate embodiments of this invention may be adapted. System  10  can be suitably scaled to effectively fight fires of different sizes and severities such as violently out of control oilrig disasters, for example. Different fire extinguishing compounds, including explosives to effectively fight violent fires can be included as a matter of choice. Optionally, net  12  could be made from a sheet of fabric that defines a matrix for supporting canisters  20 , detonating network  24  and other components. Although use of explosive squibs  28 aa, explosive detonating cord  28 ′ and flexible linear shaped charge  28 ″ have been mentioned, other pyrotechnic power elements could be used, including shielded mild detonating cord (SMDC), shock tube initiators, and detonators. System  10  also provides for safe suppression of fires on land in developed or populated areas. A plurality of similar or modified nets  12  and their associated components could be deployed from a plurality of containers  30  simultaneously or sequentially as needed.  
         [0048]    The disclosed components and their arrangements as disclosed herein all contribute to the novel features of this invention. System  10  of this invention is a quickly deployable and effective means to safely extinguish fires from a distant launch platform without exposing personnel and equipment to undue danger. Therefore, system  10 , as disclosed herein is not to be construed as limiting, but rather, is intended to be demonstrative of this inventive concept.  
         [0049]    It should be readily understood that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible within the purview of the claimed invention. It is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.