System for deploying and recovering an autonomous underwater device, method of use

A method for launching and recovering an autonomous underwater vehicle (4) using a surface carrier ship (2, 6, 7), the carrier ship (2, 6, 7) including a hull with a bottom, the autonomous underwater vehicle (4) including a body elongated in the length direction and propelling, guiding and stabilizing means, wherein the propelling, guiding and stabilizing means of the autonomous underwater vehicle (4) make it possible to control displacements according to six degrees of freedom,

• the method implementing a subaquatic vehicle (3) wire-guided by a connection wire (5) connected to the carrier ship (2, 6, 7), said subaquatic vehicle (3) including propelling, guiding and stabilizing means, wherein the propelling, guiding and stabilizing means of the subaquatic vehicle make it possible to control displacements according to six degrees of freedom, said subaquatic vehicle (3) including a docking station for the autonomous underwater vehicle (4) allowing a removable attachment of the autonomous underwater vehicle (4) to the subaquatic vehicle (3),
• wherein the subaquatic vehicle (3) can be positioned in two main configurations, a storage configuration in which the subaquatic vehicle (3) is removably attached to the carrier ship (2, 6, 7) in a storage area of the carrier ship and a use configuration in which the subaquatic vehicle (3), separated from the carrier ship (2, 6, 7), is in water and remote from the storage area of the carrier ship while remaining connected to the carrier ship (2, 6, 7) by the connection wire (5),
• and, for the launching, the autonomous underwater vehicle (4) is released from the docking station when the subaquatic vehicle (3) is submerged and in use configuration, and
• for the recovery, the autonomous underwater vehicle (4) is automatically recovered into the docking station when the subaquatic vehicle (3) is submerged and in use configuration, the subaquatic vehicle and the autonomous underwater vehicle (4) including automated complementary docking means allowing the launched autonomous underwater vehicle (4) to automatically dock with the docking station of the subaquatic vehicle (3),
• wherein a subaquatic vehicle (3) including a payload enclosure is implemented, the payload enclosure including the docking station for the autonomous underwater vehicle, the autonomous underwater vehicle engaging at least partially inside the payload enclosure, the partially engaged rear portion of the autonomous underwater vehicle exiting from said enclosure, said subaquatic vehicle having a substantially elongated spindle general shape, and
• wherein the storage area is chosen among:
• a submerged recess of the bottom of the carrier ship (2, 6, 7) hull, the subaquatic vehicle remaining submerged in storage configuration, against the hull and under the carrier ship (2, 6, 7), and
• a submerged end of an appendix of the carrier ship hull, the submerged appendix of the carrier ship (2, 6, 7) being a keel (20) and the subaquatic vehicle being stored at the lower end of the keel (20).