CABLE-CONTROLLED UNDERWATER RECOVERY VEHICLE (CURV II) 



CURV II is an unmanned tethered submersible capable of operating to 2500 feet 

 (762 meters). It is the successor to CURV I which recovered the H-bomb off the coast of 

 Spain in 1966. The configuration of CURV II (figure 2) is typical of most unmanned 

 vehicles; it has an open rectangular framework to support the sensors and tools, two 

 horizontal propulsion motors to drive and steer the vehicle, one vertical motor for close 

 vertical control, and buoyancy of approximately 25 pounds (1 1 kilograms). The vehicle is 

 6.5 by 6.5 by 15 feet long (2 by 2 by 5 meters), weighs 3000 pounds (1361 kilograms) in 

 air, and operates at submerged speeds to 3 knots (1.5 meters per second) and to depths of 

 2500 feet (762 meters). The sensors include a Straza 500 active-passive sonar, acoustic 

 altimeter, depthometer, compass, twy Hydro Products television cameras with lights, and 

 an EG&G 35mm still camera with strobe. One major feature of all surface-powered vehicles 

 is that their bottom time is only restricted by the time or ability of the surface-support 

 craft to stay on station. 



The CURV II system consists of the vehicle, control cable, and control console. 

 Although it normally operates from the YFNX-30 surface-support ship, the system can be 

 air transported to operate from any surface ship of opportunity. It is primarily used for 

 recovery of practice torpedoes from NOSC ranges. 



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Figure 2. CURV II. 



