Recovery systems and methods for unmanned underwater vehicles

A recovery system for an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV), the recovery system comprising:

• a detachable load configured to render the UUV positively buoyant in water upon release;
• a first release mechanism configured to release the load from the UUV in response to a command signal;
• a second release mechanism comprising a passive galvanic time-in-water release mechanism configured to release the load from the UUV in response to the UUV being submerged in the water beyond a threshold time;
• and
• a third release mechanism configured to release the load from the UUV in response to the UUV exceeding a maximum depth in the water.

A method for operating a recovery system for an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV), the method comprising:

• affixing a detachable load that renders the UUV neutrally buoyant in water;
• detaching the load in response to a command signal to render the UUV positively buoyant in the water;
• detaching the load utilizing a passive galvanic time-in-water release mechanism in response to the UUV being submerged in the water beyond a threshold time to render the UUV positively buoyant in the water;
• and
• detaching the load in response to the UUV exceeding a maximum depth in the water to render the UUV positively buoyant in the water.

A recovery system for an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV), the recovery system comprising:

• a detachable load that renders the UUV neutrally buoyant in water;
• a disk mechanically coupled to the load;
• and
• a plurality of release mechanisms configured to detach the load to render the UUV positively buoyant in the water, wherein the plurality of release mechanisms are configured to detachably couple to the disk at substantially equidistant points around the disk, the release mechanisms comprising:
• a first release mechanism configured to detach the load in response to a command signal;
• a second release mechanism configured to detach the load in response to the UUV being submerged in the water beyond a threshold time;
• and
• a third release mechanism configured to detach the load in response to the UUV exceeding a maximum depth in the water.