Drag inducing drogue for multiple towed arrays

Abstract

The drogue of the present invention induces drag for a plurality of underer tow lines. A tail section is axially movable within a nose section and extends partially therefrom. A tow line passes through the nose section and is coupled to the tail section. A rod is fixed to the nose section and extends through and axially away from the nose section into the tail section. A spring couples the nose section to the tail section such that the spring is placed in tension when the tail section and nose section are caused to move axially towards one another. In turn, the nose section and tail section are caused to move axially away from one another when the spring is allowed to relax. Drag wings mounted on the tail section are movable between a first minimal drag position and a second maximum position. Movement of an actuator mounted in the tail section causes corresponding movement of the drag wings between the first and second position. An engagement mechanism supported on the rod's aftmost end engages and moves the actuator in correspondence with movement of the spring. Clamping arms extend radially from the tail section and cooperate in pairs to clamp adjacent line drogues therebetween as the spring is placed in tension.