Air dropped linear acoustic detector

Abstract

A self-deploying and a self-aligning linear acoustic detector which can be ir dropped. The detector includes a parachute for deployment and has a mast, set of sails and booms for deploying and aligning an array of the detector. A neutrally buoyant array cable includes a plurality of neutrally buoyant hydrophones attached along its length which can be deployed horizontally at a predetermined depth in water. The array is also provided with a drogue at one end thereof to facilitate deployment of the array and to prevent it from moving after its deployment. The array is also provided with an auxiliary buoy for establishing the operating depth of the drogue and of the array. Ballast weights are provided to keep the mast vertical and to carry the array cable to a predetermined depth and keep it in a horizontal position after its deployment.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.