US Patent 7542377 Increased aperture homing cavitator

Various exemplary embodiments of an increased aperture homing cavitator are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a supercavitating body may include, e.g., but may not be limited to, a cavitator assembly having a front end and a back end, and having a shape operative to generate a concave cavity; an acoustical homing array coupled to the cavitator assembly; an afterbody coupled to the back end; a thruster coupled to the afterbody; and a ventilation system disposed within the afterbody, operative to supply gas to, and to maintain pressure within the cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, the size of the cavitator may be increased without a significant attendant increase in drag, thereby enabling a homing array of increased size and aperture.