Patent ID: 8590476

Claim:
A method for launching an underwater vehicle using a handling cradle, the method comprising the following operations carried out in succession: receiving the handling cradle for launching and retrieving the underwater vehicle, the handling cradle comprising a frame forming a dorsal ridge, the frame further comprising: means for adjusting the overall buoyancy of the handling cradle, means for automatically positioning the underwater vehicle in alignment with the dorsal ridge formed by the frame, and means for grasping the underwater vehicle after the frame has been aligned with the underwater vehicle, wherein the means for grasping the underwater vehicle are connected to a pulling cable; positioning the handling cradle containing the underwater vehicle above the water plane; immersing the handling cradle in water; controlling the immersion of the handling cradle to the desired depth using the means for adjusting the overall buoyancy; releasing the underwater vehicle by opening the means for grasping the underwater vehicle; piloting departure of the underwater vehicle from the handling cradle; and switching the underwater vehicle to a standalone operating mode.