Underwater launched acoustic warning assembly

An acoustic system for identifying a helicopter from a submerged underwater vehicle, the system comprising:

• (a) an acoustic assembly capable of being launched from an underwater vehicle while being underwater, the acoustic assembly including:
• (i) an acoustosensitive member for collecting above-surface acoustic signals;
• (ii) a carrier member being launchable from the underwater vehicle, said carrier member being designed to carry said acoustosensitive member above-surface;
• and
• (iii) a communication medium for communicating between said acoustosensitive member and the underwater vehicle, for transmitting said above-surface acoustic signals being collected by said acoustosensitive member to the underwater vehicle;
• and
• (b) an analyzer having an acoustic signal frequency identifying algorithm, said analyzer being installed in said underwater vehicle for receiving said above-surface acoustic signals via said communication medium and for analyzing said above-surface acoustic signals, and wherein said analyzing includes detecting a presence of harmonic patterns using said acoustic signal frequency identifying algorithm, thereby providing an identification of the helicopter.

An acoustic assembly capable of being launched from an underwater vehicle while being underwater, the acoustic assembly comprising:

• (a) an acoustosensitive member for collecting above-surface acoustic signals;
• (b) a carrier member being launchable from the underwater vehicle, said carrier member being designed to carry said acoustosensitive member above-surface, and said carrier member including:
• (i) a releasable protective cover engaged at a front end thereof, and
• (ii) a pressure sensitive mechanism for releasing said protective cover when said front end of said carrier member is above surface, and
• (c) a communication medium for communicating between said acoustosensitive member and the underwater vehicle, for transmitting said above-surface acoustic signals being collected by said acoustosensitive member to the underwater vehicle.

An acoustic assembly capable of being launched from an underwater vehicle while being underwater, the acoustic assembly comprising:

• (a) an acoustosensitive member for collecting above-surface acoustic signals;
• (b) a carrier member being launchable from the underwater vehicle, said carrier member being designed to carry said acoustosensitive member above-surface;
• and
• (c) a communication medium for communicating between said acoustosensitive member and the underwater vehicle, for transmitting said above-surface acoustic signals being collected by said acoustosensitive member to the underwater vehicle,
• wherein said carrier member includes a drag inducing mechanism for slowing its migration towards a water surface after launching and prior to surfacing, said drag inducing mechanism including fin-like elements.

A method of identifying the presence of a helicopter from a submerged underwater vehicle comprising the steps of:

• (a) launching from the submerged underwater vehicle an acoustic assembly including an acoustosensitive member for collecting above-surface acoustic signals;
• (b) establishing a communication between the submerged underwater vehicle and said acoustic assembly for receiving said above-surface acoustic signals;
• and
• (c) using an acoustic signal frequency identifying algorithm capable of differentiating among types of airborne vehicles according to their acoustic signature, for analyzing said above-surface acoustic signals, such that the presence of a helicopter can be detected,
• wherein said acoustic signal frequency identifying algorithm effects said identification of the helicopter by detecting harmonic patterns.