In a method and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a towline connecting
a mooring craft to an ejected object comprising the steps of monitoring velocity
to determine when a point for optimum braking has been achieved and then engaging
a brake system to retard deployment of the towline, a DC motor augments and controls
the brake system. The DC motor further controls the retrieval of the object. A
cutter mechanism uses a first blade to grip the towing cable to maintain tension
thereon as a second blade cuts the cable. A spring biased boom in combination with
spring biased fins on the ejected object rapidly deploys the object from its storage
housing. A locking mechanism secures the deployment mechanism in a stable locked
position upon the object reaching its fully extended position.
