TOWED FIBER OPTIC DATA LINK PAYOUT SYSTEM

Abstract

A continuous optical data path is provided through an optical fiber exteng from a launch platform to a missile. The launch platform, a surface craft, submarine or aircraft, has a tether cable connected at one end with a length of the optical fiber extending to a dynamically designed body. The dynamically designed body prevents damage of the length of optical fiber by pulling it and the tether cable beyond the structure and propulsors of the launch platform. A body spool of the optical fiber provided on the dynamically designed body pays out optical fiber as the dynamically designed body is pulled along by the launch platform and a canister spool of optical fiber on a missile canister for the missile provides the continuous optical data path as the canister is deployed from the dynamically designed body. A missile spool of the optical fiber may be included on the missile to provide the continuous data path if it is desired to launch the missile from the missile canister. The concatenated spools of optical fiber assure that failure inducing stresses are avoided as the missile and launch platform each continue on their way.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Inventor

• 1JACK E. HOLZSCHUH

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