PROPELLMT-ACTUATED DEEP WATER ANCHOR: INTERIM REPORT 



Technical Note N-1282 



3.1330-1 



by 



R. J. Taylor and R. M. Beard 



ABSTRACT 



A propellant-actuated deep water anchor is being developed to 

 moor deep ocean surface and sub-surface structures. The anchor is 

 designed to have a long-term holding capacity of 20,000 pounds and 

 function in seafloors ranging from very soft sediments to hard rock 

 (basalt) in water depths to 20,000 feet. The anchor has been designed, 

 fabricated, and tested on land. Deep water use of this anchor requires 

 that it be expendable; therefore, surplus ammunition components are 

 used in the launching system (i.e., gun barrel, cartridge, primer), and 

 a simplified structural shape is used for the reaction vessel. 



Three anchor flukes (one for rock and coral, one for sand and 

 stiff clay, and one for soft clay) were designed to satisfy the realm 

 of seafloor anchoring possibilities. Results of the land tests were 

 that actual and predicted launching system performance were comparable 

 within 9%, and the anchor launch vehicle was structurally sound. The 

 anchor will be tested in a range of water depths and seafloor types to 

 complete the development phase. 



Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. 



