The invention relates to a launch apparatus for an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle—in particular, for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle or for a Remotely Operated Vehicle—with a launching tube having an inner wall and an outlet, and the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle contained within the launching tube, whereby the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle has a vehicle casing with a vehicle casing inhomogeneity, such that an ejection of the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle causes different contact loads between the vehicle casing and the inner wall, whereby the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle has a detachable compensating form, which is designed in such a way that the vehicle inhomogeneity is compensated, such that the result is a combination of the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle and the detachable compensating form, the combination whereof, when ejected, causes a substantially more uniform contact load to occur between the combination and the inner wall.

A launcher includes an impulse cylinder connected to a launch tube. An impulse piston, disposed within the impulse cylinder has a water side and an air side. The water side is in fluid communication with the launch tube. The air side is in fluid connection with a high pressure air source. A shaft connects a hydraulic cylinder is to the impulse cylinder. The shaft connects a hydraulic piston to the impulse piston. A control valve is connected to the hydraulic cylinder and controls movement of the hydraulic piston, which in turn controls movement of the impulse piston. Upon launch, the control valve allows movement of the hydraulic piston which allows movement of the impulse piston, providing water behind a projectile.

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.

Provided is a system for releasing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), including: a capsule including: a UAV including a controller; and a release actuator configured to release the UAV from the capsule; wherein the capsule is configured to be at least one of launched and deployed; the system further includes: at least one sensor; a release condition evaluation module, connected with the at least one sensor; and a release command module, connected with the release condition evaluation module, and configured to activate the release actuator upon at least one release condition being met; wherein the process of deploying the capsule and/or launching the capsule is a separate process from the process of releasing the UAV from the capsule.

A method for countering an oncoming threat is disclosed. A location in front of the threat is selected, and a generally spherical volume is defined by a plurality of lines deployed from a centrally located communications unit. Sensors associated with the lines are connected to the communications unit and sense presence of the oncoming threat, whereupon countermeasures are activated responsive to the sensed oncoming threat.

A projectile launching apparatus for launching projectile with the pressure exerted by the seawater. The projectile launching apparatus includes a large barrel launch, a piston, one or more piston stoppers, plurality of hinged doors, piston locks, and a plurality of water pump is available at bottom of the barrel to generate pressure and help to launch the projectile, wherein the assembly for the projectile is less expensive than present systems, lighter in weight, and of less complexity.

A projectile launching apparatus for launching projectile with the pressure exerted by the seawater. The projectile launching apparatus includes a large barrel launch, a piston, one or more piston stoppers, plurality of hinged doors, piston locks, and a plurality of water pump is available at bottom of the barrel to generate pressure and help to launch the projectile, wherein the assembly for the projectile is less expensive than present systems, lighter in weight, and of less complexity.

An adapter cage is provided for a compressed gas launcher to multiply launch velocity. Kinematics of wheels integral to the adapter cage results in a doubling of the pusher plate velocity as that motion is imparted on a light-weight launch vehicle. The wheels of the adapter cage can press against the launch vehicle and the wheels are pressed against the walls of the launcher for employing friction at the interface of the wheels and the inner surface of the launcher to transfer motion to force out a muzzle cap of the launcher and to enable launch of the launch vehicle.

An orb or body deployable from a launch tube serves as a countermeasures system. Where used, a tow rocket may be used to tow the orb or body to a desired location generally in front of an oncoming threat, and the tow rocket is released. Multiple line tow rockets are then launched from the orb in every direction, each extending a line connected to the orb to define a spherical volume within which the orb and lines operate. Each line may include at least one of sensors for sensing acoustic, magnetic or other disturbances, countermeasures systems including explosives, antenna, and radiating countermeasures transducers. Explosives or transducers may also be mounted in or to the orb. Magnetic, acoustic or electrical signals or the like may be emitted to confuse a threat, and explosives may be triggered when the threat enters the spherical volume defined by the extended lines.