초록

A waterborne munitions system is disclosed. The system includes a submersible munitions platform and a remote control module. The munitions platform has a plurality of canistered munitions, either waterborne, airborne, or both, which can be remotely launched via the remote control module.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system comprising: a munitions platform for use in water, wherein the munitions platform comprises: a frame for providing mechanical support, wherein the frame includes: (a) a housing having at least one waterproof compartment for receiving an electronics-containing subsystem;(b) a first rollin

1. A system comprising: a munitions platform for use in water, wherein the munitions platform comprises: a frame for providing mechanical support, wherein the frame includes: (a) a housing having at least one waterproof compartment for receiving an electronics-containing subsystem;(b) a first rolling plate; and(c) a second rolling plate, wherein the first and second rolling plates are similarly-sized and are disposed at opposite ends of the housing, wherein the plates are circular and, at a circumference thereof, provide a rolling surface;a munitions subsystem for providing munitions and underwater launch capability, wherein the munitions subsystem comprises a plurality of sealed munitions canisters that are disposed around and outside of the housing; anda depth control subsystem for actively changing a depth of the munitions platform under water. 2. The munitions platform of claim 1 and further comprising a power subsystem for providing electrical power to the munitions platform, wherein the power system comprises at least one energy storage device for storing the electrical power, and wherein the at least one energy storage device is disposed in the housing. 3. The munitions platform of claim 2 wherein the power subsystem further comprises a generator. 4. The munitions platform of claim 3 wherein the generator is powered by motion of the water. 5. The munitions platform of claim 1 further comprising a stabilization system, wherein said stabilization system is coupled to the frame and further wherein the stabilization system is operable to dampen movement of the frame upon deployment. 6. The munitions platform of claim 5 wherein the stabilization system comprises a plurality of extendable arms that are coupled to the frame. 7. The munitions platform of claim 6 wherein the extendable arms are spring biased to deploy in the absence of a restraint, and wherein the stabilization system further comprises a restraining strap that restrains the extendable arms in a stowed position against and substantially parallel to the munitions canisters. 8. The munitions platform of claim 1 further comprising a communications subsystem for communicating with a remotely-located control station, wherein the communications subsystem comprises a radio, and wherein the radio is disposed in the housing. 9. The munitions platform of claim 8 wherein the communications subsystem further comprises a floatable antenna, wherein the floatable antenna is coupled to the frame and further wherein the floatable antenna is retractable within the housing. 10. The munitions platform of claim 1 wherein the depth control subsystem comprises: an anchoring subsystem including a winch and an anchor, wherein the winch is coupled to the frame and the anchor is tethered to the winch; anda buoyancy-control subsystem for altering the buoyancy of the munitions platform, wherein the buoyancy-control subsystem is disposed in the housing. 11. The system of claim 8 further comprising a remote control module that is physically separate from the frame, wherein the remote control module transmits data to and receives data from the communications subsystem. 12. The munitions platform of claim 1 wherein the munitions canisters are parallel to the housing. 13. A system comprising: a munitions platform for use in water, wherein the munitions platform comprises: a housing that contains a plurality of subsystems, some of which reside in at least one waterproof compartment in the housing;a first rolling plate; anda second rolling plate, wherein the first and second rolling plates are disposed proximal to opposite ends of the housing, wherein the rolling plates collectively enable the munitions platform to be rolled across a surface contacting only edges of the first and second plates, and further wherein the first rolling plate includes a plurality of openings for receiving a plurality of munitions canisters, one canister per opening;a munitions subsystem for providing munitions and underwater launch capability, wherein the munitions subsystem comprises the plurality of munitions canisters, and wherein the munitions canisters are disposed around and outside of the housing and are substantially parallel thereto;a depth-control subsystem for actively changing the depth of the munitions platform under water; anda processor for directing the depth-control subsystem to change depth of the munitions platform as a function of desired operation of the munitions platform, wherein the processor is disposed in one of the waterproof compartments in the housing. 14. The munitions platform of claim 13 further comprising a communications subsystem, at least a portion of which is disposed in the housing, wherein the communications subsystem receives commands relating to the desired operation of the munitions platform, and further wherein the commands received by the communications subsystem are transmitted to the processor. 15. The system of claim 14 further comprising a remote control module that is physically separate from the frame, wherein the remote control module transmits data to the communications subsystem. 16. The munitions platform of claim 13 further comprising: a plurality of extendable arms that are coupled to the first and second rolling plates and that are spring-biased to deploy from a stowed state in the absence of a restraint; anda restraining strap that encircles the munitions platform and functions as the restraint, wherein the restraining strap is configured to automatically release when the munitions platform is deployed into the water. 17. The munitions platform of claim 16 wherein a second end of each munitions canister abuts the second rolling plate and a first end of each munitions canister extends through a respective one of the holes in the first rolling plate. 18. The munitions platform of claim 13 wherein the depth-control subsystem comprises: an anchoring subsystem having a winch and an anchor; anda buoyancy-control subsystem for altering the buoyancy of the munitions platform, wherein the buoyancy-control subsystem is disposed in the housing. 19. A system comprising: a munitions platform for use in water, wherein the munitions platform comprises: a housing that contains a plurality of subsystems, including a communications subsystem, and further wherein the housing contains a waterproof compartment in which the communications subsystem resides;a first rolling plate;a second rolling plate, wherein the first and second rolling plates are circular in shape, are disposed at opposite ends of the housing, and have respective first and second rolling surfaces at respective circumferences thereof, and wherein the first and second rolling plates are suitably dimensioned so that the first and second rolling surfaces collectively enable the munitions platform to be rolled across a surface;a munitions subsystem for providing munitions and underwater launch capability, wherein the munitions subsystem comprises a plurality of munitions canisters, and wherein the munitions canisters are disposed around and outside of the housing and radially inward of the first and second rolling surfaces; anda depth-control subsystem for actively changing the depth of the munitions platform under water responsive to at least one of either a command from a remote operator or a pre-programmed routine. 20. The munitions platform of claim 19 wherein the depth-control subsystem is further operable to limit movement of the frame in a horizontal direction. 21. The munitions platform of claim 19 further comprising a plurality of extendable arms that are coupled to the first and second rolling plates and that are spring-biased to deploy from a stowed state in the absence of a restraint. 22. A method for operating a munitions platform in water, wherein the munitions platform has: a frame for providing mechanical support, wherein the frame comprises a housing having at least one waterproof compartment for receiving an electronics-containing subsystem;a munitions subsystem that provides underwater launch capability for a plurality of munitions, wherein the munitions subsystem comprises a plurality of sealed munitions canisters that contain the munitions and which are disposed around and outside of the housing; anda depth control subsystem for actively changing a depth of the munitions platform under water, wherein the method comprises: (a) deploying the munition platform in water;(b) submerging the munitions platform to a loitering depth;(c) floating the munitions platform to a firing depth that is shallower than the loitering depth;(d) launching an airborne munition from the munitions platform in accordance with firing orders; and(e) re-submerging the munitions platform to the loitering depth after satisfying the firing orders. 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the operation of submerging the munitions platform to a loitering depth further comprises: (i) releasing an anchor that is coupled to the munitions platform;(ii) decreasing the buoyancy of the munitions platform but maintaining positive buoyancy;(iii) drawing the munitions platform toward the anchor until the loitering depth is reached.