NAVY CAPABILITIES 19 



CABLE 

 CONNECTOR 



MAGK'ETOMETEP 



STROBE 

 LIGHTS 



The Naval Research Laboratory towed "fish" is used for underwater search mis- 

 sions. It incorporates several sensors, including either a TV or photographic camera, 

 a magnetometer, side-looking sonar, and a battery. 



2500 ft, has unlimited endurance, and can be operated day or night. Opera- 

 tions are conducted from a mother ship which contains an acoustic locat- 

 ing device, handling gear, and the control and monitoring consoles. 



CURV dramatically demonstrated its capability by recovery of the mis- 

 sing unarmed nuclear weapon near Palomares, Spain in 1966. Its potential 

 extends to applications such as underwater survey, inspection, mainte- 

 nance, and construction of underwater equipment and facilities. 



This tethered, unmanned vehicle is 6 ft wide, 5 ft high, and 13 ft long. 

 A number of subsystems are mounted on its tubular aluminum frame, in- 

 cluding propulsion units, optical equipment, acoustical equipment, a hy- 

 drauhc system to operate a claw, and a recovery buoy. Four large buoyancy 

 tanks are mounted on top of the vehicle. Maneuvering is accomplished by 

 three propulsion units on the vehicle. The propulsion system not only 

 powers the vehicle, but also keeps it down, since it operates with 10 to 15 

 pounds of positive buoyancy. The acoustic search equipment consists of a 

 high-resolution sonar that can be operated in either an active or passive 

 mode. The optical system includes lighting, a television camera, and a 

 35-mm camera and associated strobe light for documentation of recovery. 



The CURV concept is being vigorously pursued with a near-term goal 

 of a 7000 ft operating depth and increased search, location, and manipula- 

 tion capabilities. CURV provides a unique capabihty for performing useful 

 tasks at ocean depths, and represents a relatively unexploited technological 

 approach to the working ocean. 



