The Advanced Deployment Harpoon, which is also referred to as the ADH or just the Harpoon, functioned as an offensive docking mechanism. This system launched a protected tether from one ship and secured it to the hull of another ship. This created a stable connection that facilitated the transfer of personnel and materiel between the launching ship and the target. Initially designed to assist in search and rescue missions, the Harpoon's successful application in these scenarios led military organizations to explore its potential for combat applications.