A launching device and associated methods can be utilized to launch an underwater running body from a platform such as a watercraft. The launching device may include a ramp, which extends along a longitudinal ramp axis, and a propellant deflection unit. The ramp may enclose an underwater running body with a propulsion unit underwater. The launching device may activate the propulsion unit, which then emits a propellant. The propellant deflection unit deflects the emitted propellant into an outlet direction. This outlet direction of the propellant may be directed perpendicularly or obliquely away from the platform.

A launching device and associated methods can be utilized to launch an underwater running body from a platform such as a watercraft. The launching device may include a ramp, which extends along a longitudinal ramp axis, and a propellant deflection unit. The ramp may enclose an underwater running body with a propulsion unit underwater. The launching device may activate the propulsion unit, which then emits a propellant. The propellant deflection unit deflects the emitted propellant into an outlet direction. This outlet direction of the propellant may be directed perpendicularly or obliquely away from the platform.

Autonomous underwater vehicles are described that are stackable with other like autonomous underwater vehicles on a suitable launch platform, such as within a vertical missile launch tube of a submarine, waiting to be deployed into the water. The underwater vehicles can be deployed or launched individually, in groups, or all together into the water. While stacked together, the stacked autonomous underwater vehicles can connect to one another or to external structure of the launch platform. In addition, the underwater vehicles can be positively buoyant or can be made to have controllable buoyancy to allow the underwater vehicles to float up and out of the launch platform during deployment without an external deployment force.

A canister that acts as a pressure vessel that contains a payload and that can withstand pressures that may be generated by the payload internal to the canister in order to contain the payload contents. The canister can be launched from a submarine, with the canister being located internal to the pressure hull of the submarine prior to launch and the canister being launchable from the submarine into the surrounding water. After launching, the canister is designed to release or deploy the payload permitting the payload to perform its intended function(s). The payload contained in the canister can be an unmanned underwater vehicle such as an acoustic training target that is powered by one or more lithium batteries.

A canister that acts as a pressure vessel that contains a payload and that can withstand pressures that may be generated by the payload internal to the canister in order to contain the payload contents. The canister can be launched from a submarine, with the canister being located internal to the pressure hull of the submarine prior to launch and the canister being launchable from the submarine into the surrounding water. After launching, the canister is designed to release or deploy the payload permitting the payload to perform its intended function(s). The payload contained in the canister can be an unmanned underwater vehicle such as an acoustic training target that is powered by one or more lithium batteries.

A method of making a tubular casing for an underwater device, wherein a metal ring made of aluminum is subjected to an anodizing process that produces an insulating layer of aluminum oxide that covers it externally. The ring is coupled with a mold that defines a cylindrical surface on which the following are deposited: first layers of carbon fiber to produce a first cylindrically-shaped tubular element in carbon fiber provided with an end portion that engages a first groove of the ring; a layer of syntactic material configured to transfer radial forces; and second layers of carbon fiber to produce a second cylindrically-shaped tubular element in carbon fiber that covers the syntactic layer and is provided with an end portion that engages a first groove of the ring.

A canister that acts as a pressure vessel that contains a payload and that can withstand pressures that may be generated by the payload internal to the canister in order to contain the payload contents. The canister can be launched from a submarine, with the canister being located internal to the pressure hull of the submarine prior to launch and the canister being launchable from the submarine into the surrounding water. After launching, the canister is designed to release or deploy the payload permitting the payload to perform its intended function(s). The payload contained in the canister can be an unmanned underwater vehicle such as an acoustic training target that is powered by one or more lithium batteries.

A canister that acts as a pressure vessel that contains a payload and that can withstand pressures that may be generated by the payload internal to the canister in order to contain the payload contents. The canister can be launched from a submarine, with the canister being located internal to the pressure hull of the submarine prior to launch and the canister being launchable from the submarine into the surrounding water. After launching, the canister is designed to release or deploy the payload permitting the payload to perform its intended function(s). The payload contained in the canister can be an unmanned underwater vehicle such as an acoustic training target that is powered by one or more lithium batteries.

Autonomous underwater vehicles are described that are stackable with other like autonomous underwater vehicles on a suitable launch platform, such as within a vertical missile launch tube of a submarine, waiting to be deployed into the water. The underwater vehicles can be deployed or launched individually, in groups, or all together into the water. While stacked together, the stacked autonomous underwater vehicles can connect to one another or to external structure of the launch platform. In addition, the underwater vehicles can be positively buoyant or can be made to have controllable buoyancy to allow the underwater vehicles to float up and out of the launch platform during deployment without an external deployment force.

Autonomous underwater vehicles are described that are stackable with other like autonomous underwater vehicles on a suitable launch platform, such as within a vertical missile launch tube of a submarine, waiting to be deployed into the water. The underwater vehicles can be deployed or launched individually, in groups, or all together into the water. While stacked together, the stacked autonomous underwater vehicles can connect to one another or to external structure of the launch platform. In addition, the underwater vehicles can be positively buoyant or can be made to have controllable buoyancy to allow the underwater vehicles to float up and out of the launch platform during deployment without an external deployment force.