Portable UUV launch and recovery assembly

US11535345B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force · US

Inventors

• Ralph David Hooper · Lemon Grove, US
• Jeffery Towns Gilchrist · Irvine, US
• William A. Chambers · North Tonawanda, US
• Taylor Doolittle · San Diego, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 18, 2021
• Grant date: Dec 27, 2022
• Expiry date: Aug 21, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B63B2035/405
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and method transports, launches, and recovers an unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) on a boat. A pair of support rails secures the UUV to the boat during the transport across a body of water on the boat. The support rails support the UUV in sliding movement along the support rails during the launch from the boat into the body of water and during the recovery from the body of water onto the boat. A ramp is deployed that extends the support rails into the body of water through a stern of the boat. The ramp includes a pair of alignment rails for aligning the UUV with the support rails during the recovery. A winch pulls the UUV out of the body of water during the recovery, with the winch pulling the UUV into the alignment rails and then onto the support rails in the boat.