Submarine deployable vertical launch spar buoy

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and a method for launching an anautical vehicle from a submerged platform such as a submarine. The system includes a buoy configured to be deployed from a launching tube onboard the submerged platform, which buoy contains the aeronautical vehicle to be launched. The system further includes a gas generator for creating a pressure force which causes the buoy with the encapsulated aeronautical vehicle to be deployed from the launch platform. Once deployed, the buoy inflates a buoyancy device for putting the buoy in a partially submerged position and damping plates for resisting vertical movement of the buoy and wave motion. The buoy has a ballast arrangement for maintaining it in a substantially vertical orientation. The buoy further has an antenna for receiving commands to launch the aeronautical vehicle. The method for launching the aeronautical vehicle from the underwater platform broadly comprises the steps of: providing a buoy containing an aeronautical vehicle; deploying the buoy from the underwater platform into a water environment where the buoy is partially submerged beneath the surface of the water in a substantially vertical position; and launching the vehicle from the buoy while the buoy is in the substantially vertical position.