The US Navy will use growing numbers of unmanned autonomous vehicles to perform a variety of functions including mine surveillance and subsurface mapping, particularly in connection with missions for the Littoral Combat Ship. These functions are often performed by deployment of sensors, sources and arrays from organic offboard vehicles (OOVs). Bluefin Robotics Corp. intends to partner with Brooke Ocean Technology Ltd. (BOT) and proposes to develop a single system capable of deploying many different towed assets such as sensors, and arrays. Our proposed system will enable OOVs to meet the broad range of needs for multiple missions with a single D and R system and will be capable of automated launching, towing and retrieving many types of towed assets including sensors, sources and arrays from Unmanned Surface Vehicles. Benefit The proposed program will result in a universal deployment and retrieval system that will maximize the capabilities of the USVs, and thereby extend the operating range and effectiveness of surface host vessels. The ability of the USVs to deploy, tow and recover a range of sensors, sources and towed arrays will reduce the logistical constraints of carrying a separate D and R system for each type of payload. The common deployment and retrieval system will reduce complexity and amount of equipment, resulting in weight and cost savings, along with reduced training and operational activities. Keywords unmanned surface vehicle, Unmanned Undersea Vehicles, Deployment and Retrieval, UUV Organic Offboard Vehicle, USV, OOV
