Expendable moving echo radiator

An expendable echo radiator suitable for providing a decoy simulating a marine vessel, comprising:

• an expandable at least partially metallic curtain having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;
• a capsule for housing said curtain in said collapsed configuration;
• an electrochemical energy source within said capsule;
• and
• bubble producing means coupled to said electrochemical energy source and cooperative with the metallic material of said at least partially metallic curtain for electrolytically generating gaseous bubbles along at least a portion of the curtain in its expanded configuration;
• said bubbles cooperating with said curtain in its expanded configuration to provide an echo profile substantially similar to an echo profile of said marine vessel.

An expendable echo radiator suitable for providing a simulated target for use as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training device, comprising:

• an expandable curtain having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;
• a capsule for housing said curtain in said collapsed configuration;
• propulsion means for propelling said capsule through the ocean medium;
• said curtain in its expanded configuration providing a profile similar to a profile of a target, thereby providing an echo radiator to produce a simulated target for use as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training device;
• said propulsion means for propelling the echo radiator through the ocean medium including at least one propeller;
• an electric motor mounted to said capsule for rotating said at least one propeller;
• and
• an electro-chemical energy source mounted to said capsule and coupled to said motor for providing electrical energy thereto.

An expendable echo radiator suitable for providing a decoy for attracting or diverting a homing torpedo away from an intended target, comprising:

• an expandable curtain having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;
• a capsule for housing said curtain in said collapsed configuration;
• said curtain in its expanded configuration providing a profile similar to a profile of a marine vessel, thereby providing an echo radiator to decoy a homing torpedo from the intended target;
• and
• means for furnishing a gaseous medium along at least a portion of the curtain in its expanded configuration that emanates from different regions thereof to thereby enhance the echo radiation characteristics thereof by simulating highlighted echo spot signatures characteristic of the marine vessel.

An expandable echo radiator suitable for providing a decoy for attracting or diverting a homing torpedo away from an intended target, comprising:

• an expandable curtain having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;
• a capsule for housing said curtain in said collapsed configuration;
• said curtain in its expanded configuration providing a profile similar to a profile of a marine vessel, thereby providing an echo radiator to decoy a homing torpedo from the intended target;
• and
• a plurality of active echo-repeater means for receiving signals emanating from a homing torpedo and retransmitting said received signals to attract the homing torpedo, said active echo-repeater means being disposed at spaced positions over the expanse of said curtain.