Hydrodynamics of Advanced-hull Surface Vehicles

Hydrodynamics of an advanced catamaran unmanned surface vehicle (USV) in shallow waters involving CFD-based modeling and simulation is described, in support of system identification and development of a physics-based control system for USV operations in coastal waters. The key objectives of the study are to develop the necessary CFD tool, validate it through comparison of computed results with results of field tests of the vehicle, and conduct a parametric study of the vehicle performance at different Froude numbers in calm water. The characteristics of the wave resistance, wave-hull interactions and free surface flow patterns around the hulls of the surface vehicle are also determined. The CFD tool will serve as a performance prediction tool for the USV.