Sensor Suspension System and Associated Deployment Systems for Underwater Deployment of Sensor Array

A sensor array deployment system for deploying a sensor array in an underwater environment, the sensor array deployment system comprising:

• a deployment control system operable for placement on an underwater surface of an underwater environment;
• a plurality of sensor suspension systems tethered together and to the deployment control system in a stowed configuration, each sensor suspension system comprising a framework and a sensor suspended by a plurality of compliant devices coupling the sensor to the framework;
• and
• at least one buoyant device operable with the plurality of sensor suspension systems,
• wherein the deployment control system is operable to be activated to release the at least one buoyant device and cause deployment of the plurality of sensor suspension systems, the buoyant device being operable to ascend towards a surface of the water to vertically position the plurality of sensor suspension systems into a sensor array while anchored to the deployment control system.