John C Horton

US Patent:

57082308, Jan 13, 1998

Filed:

Jul 1, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/673890

Inventors:

Robert C. Woodall - Pasadena MD
Felipe A. Garcia - Panama City FL
John Horton - Panama City FL
William Jones - Panama City FL

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

B63G 702

US Classification:

102402

Abstract:

A method for ocean surface delivery of ordnance and clearing of explosive mines and obstacles from a navigable sea channel includes the step of providing quantities of ordnance adapted to survive impact and prolonged immersion in sea water and to arm in response to release from a mobile ocean surface vehicle and to pressure actuation upon submersion to a desired depth in sea water and then to detonate in response to receiving a preselected signal transmitted to the ordnance from a standoff location. The method also includes the step of delivering the quantities of ordnance from a mobile ocean surface vehicle toward multiple sites in a navigable sea channel containing obstacles and explosive mines therein so as to cause arming of the ordnance followed by impact thereof with the navigable sea channel and submersion and emplacement thereof at the multiple sites in the navigable sea channel. The ocean surface delivery method further includes the step of transmitting the preselected signal to and receiving the preselected signal by the emplaced armed ordnance so as to cause detonation thereof and the simultaneous synergistic destruction of the obstacles and explosive mines contained in the navigable sea channel. The method also includes the step of marking an amphibious path through the cleared navigable sea channel.