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| Variable Depth Sonar Handling Systems |
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Curtiss-Wright Controls, Engineered Systems - Marine Defense (CWCES-MD) manufactures a variety of variable depth handling systems for low, medium and high frequency sonars for navies throughout the world. As part of the company's Cable Handling Systems product line, the VDS handling systems are designed to meet a wide range of depth requirements and vessel sizes – from fast patrol craft to destroyers. CWCES-MD maintains an extensive database of real-world towing performance information and field proven equipment designs.
 CWCES-MD’s turnkey VDS towing systems are comprised of hydro-dynamically stable, acoustically transparent towed bodies, a body launch and recovery mechanism, tow winch, hydraulic power unit and controls. They are equipped with a Cable Tension Stabilizer (CTS) system and a passive motion compensation system for stabilizing tow cable tension. Active motion compensating systems working in conjunction with a CTS system are also available.
The experience and knowledge obtained from supplying these systems for combat ships has been transferred into the design and production of handling and towing systems for oceanographic, fisheries and research/survey applications.
An extensive customer base includes the navies of Brazil, Canada, Finland, India, Norway, Singapore and Sweden. |
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| Towed Line Array Handling Systems |
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 Towed Line Array Handling and stowage systems, manufactured by CWCES-MD, are in operation within the U.S. and Canadian governments. These systems enable deployment and retrieval of the array at high speeds without impeding ship operations. Below-deck installation of the handling and stowage group winch systems provides an all-weather capability.
CWCES-MD produces towed line array winch mechanisms designed to deploy and retrieve the array at normal ship operating speeds. |
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| SUBTOW |
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 CWCES-MD designs and manufactures towed line array and handling and stowage systems for submarines. These systems allow an array to be quietly deployed, retrieved and positioned at variable depths, optimizing sensor performance and operational efficiency - a significant advantage over conventional "clip-on" array systems.
The fail-safe systems employ redundant, automatic features and back-up controls to ensure submarine safety and maneuverability. |
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| Domes, Towed Bodies and Fairings |
| Sonar Domes |
 CWCES-MD’s sonar domes are a double-skin design, offering strength, low weight, long life, low attenuation and low flow noise as well as reduced maintenance costs. The domes are functional in conditions up to sea state 9 and maximum ship speeds. An electromechanical hoist allows the transducer to be raised into the ship for maintenance and protection, and lowered into the dome for sonar operations. |
| Fairings and Cables |
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| One of the key components of any towing system is the tow cable. Reducing drag is critical to attaining the maximum possible depth at minimum cable length. |
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| Flexnose® |
| For applications when speed and depth are crucial, CWCES-MD’s Flexnose® fairings have a demonstrated record of high performance. Flexnose® fairings are the lowest drag coefficient fairings commercially available, and are used by numerous navies and leading oceanographic institutions and companies. |
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| Rigstream® |
| Rigstream® fairings form a reusable, rigid system which can quickly be clipped on and off the cable. These low-cost fairings are ideal for moored buoys, underwater structures in areas of high water velocity, and for oceanographic towing applications. |
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| Sidewinder® |
| To eliminate the noise often encountered with slip rings in cable handling systems, the Signal Transfer Sidewinder® provides electrical continuity between the towed platform and the inboard electronics. CWCES-MD’s Sidewinders handle multi-fibre optic cables, eliminating data transmission loss on ultra-deep underwater vehicle systems. |
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| Towed Bodies |
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 These sensor platforms provide a 360º acoustic window in the horizontal plane. Varying in size from 4.5 to 18 feet (1.37 to 5.49 metres) and made from steel or composite material, CWCES-MD’s towed bodies are acoustically transparent and provide a stable hydrodynamic platform for sonar operations.
The hydrodynamic design of CWCES-MD’s towed bodies minimizes drag and motion during towing. |
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| Mine Countermeasures |
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 CWCES-MD engineers and manufactures a range of naval mine-countermeasures products, including versatile MCM handling systems, which facilitate effective sweeping, identification and neutralization of subsurface mines. On-deck gear is rigorously engineered to maintain extremely low magnetic signatures and low weight.
Mine hunting sonar launch and recovery handling systems as well as remotely operated vehicles are key components of many mine-countermeasures programs.
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