A conceptual design of an underwater missile launcher

The paper presents a conceptual design of an underwater missile launcher, which will be more difficult to detect by the enemy than conventional surface missile launchers which are currently being used. The paper suggests that the material of construction should be a composite and not a metal, as use of the latter for a large deep diving underwater vessel will result in such a structure sinking like a stone. due to the fact that it will have no reserve buoyancy. The paper also shows that composites have better sound absorption characteristics, thereby making the underwater structure difficult to detect through sonar equipment. It is proposed that this launcher should operate up to a depth of 5000 In. as at this depth, some 60% of the oceans' bottoms can be reached. The author shows that current technology can be used to construct and operate such a vessel. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.