ATAC Setup and Use Guide
Automated Tow Actuated Coupler (ATAC)
The key enabling technology of the STT Mine Countermeasure System is the ATAC coupler. The legacy systems it replaced were either passive, only serving to couple the lift bag with a weight, or electrical, requiring an explosive train to fire a squib charge which actuated an inflation valve assembly. The ATAC, instead is a pneumatically actuated coupler that simultaneously mates the lift system to the weight, while at the same time firing a redundant pair of CO2 Cartridges that triggers the STT-IVA system to fill the lift balloon.
Main components of the ATAC System are as follows:
ATAC Coupler
CO2 Cartridges/Pneumatic lines
Shuttle
Attachment Pin
ATAC Coupler
The ATAC Coupler body is constructed of 6061 Aluminum, hard anodized with a military specification. Attached to the body are two “Actuator Bodies” that hold the CO2 Systems. Each 45 gram system is separate, adding redundancy for the actuation and ensuring a large amount of surplus pressure and actuation volume. The ATAC is fixed to the STT lift balloon systems with a 1” diameter attachment pin constructed of 316 Stainless Steel with a locking pin.
The ATAC body has four stainless steel “dogs” arranged around its perimeter. Two of the dogs are lift dogs, intended to hold the weight of the system, the other two are actuation dogs, designed to fire the CO2 Cartridges.
The pneumatic actuation lines direct the CO2 charge from the ATAC to the STT lift systems, where they attach with high pressure quick disconnect fittings.
ATAC Shuttle
The ATAC Shuttle is the coupling device that is rigged to the lifted weight, with the tow line running through it already. The lifting eyes are always pointed toward the tow craft, and the pointed end is always pointed at the lift balloon system.
The shuttle acts as a pulley of sorts, allowing the line to be smoothly pulled through and the lift balloon to be towed down to the weight. Once at the weight, the shuttle engages into the ATAC body, and triggers the actuator dogs to fire the CO2 cartridges. This system is entirely self-contained, and removes the need to use any firing mechanisms (electric or acoustic) or squib charges to initiate the inflation.
Once the lifted weight is on the surface, the second lift eye can be used to rig to a davit or other lifting device to get the system up on the deck in a training scenario.
ATAC Shuttle Body
ATAC Attachment and Line pins
The ATAC is designed to be fully rigged, including the shuttle and ATAC body to the tow line without being installed onto the system yet. This allows a rigger or dive supervisor to ensure that the system is properly configured for the dive and is ready to deploy. The system is designed with two 1” 316 Stainless steel pins (with spring loaded locking pins). The top attachment pin locks the ATAC to the STT lift system, either the CRNE, the ExLB or the dual lift bridge (DLB) systems.
The lower pin is for the bight of a whipped line eye to go through and be rigged separately from the attachment pin.
Installed ATAC Coupler
ATAC Main Body with Line Pin
ATAC Shuttle Rigging
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