Definition and Measurement of VDS Towline Kite Angles

This memorandum is concerned with an angle associated with towed-sonar towlines. Kite angle is defined and the means for measuring it are described. It is obvious that the towed body and towline must follow wherever the ship goes. If the ship takes a zig-zag course, the kite angle will oscillate between port and starboard extremes. If the ship is on a straight course and the wind is blowing across the ship from port to starboard, the resultant direction of the ship motion will be to the right of the ship heading and there will be a port component of kite angle induced by the wind.