Super-Fast Submerged Transport (Underwater Express)

Abstract

The Super-Fast Submerged Transport (Underwater Express) program will explore the application of supercavitation technology to underwater vehicles, enabling high speed transport of personnel and/or supplies. The inherent advantages of traveling underwater are: the ability to transit undetected, no radar or visible signature, and avoidance of rough sea conditions that may limit or deny mission execution. Supercavitation places the vehicle inside a cavity where vapor replaces the water, and drag due to fluid viscosity is reduced by orders of magnitude, thus reducing the power requirement dramatically. This program will use modeling, simulation, experiments and testing to develop the understanding of the physical phenomena associated with supercavitation and the application to underwater vehicles. Innovative failsafe controls will be required for stability and maneuverability at speed. The program will culminate in an at-sea demonstration of a submerged unmanned vehicle capable of supercavitating operations and autonomous maneuvering.

Document Details

Document Type
Accomplishment
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2012
Source ID
007b4311c53f1ed96dfe70281775d6b5

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Acoustical Oceanography.
  • Marine Propulsion Engineering and Naval Architecture
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy

Related Documents