Super-Fast Submerged Transport

Abstract

(U) The Super-Fast Submerged Transport program (Underwater Express) 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 clandestinely, 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 an unmanned vehicle capable of fully wetted to supercavitating operations and autonomous maneuvering.

Document Details

Document Type
Accomplishment
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2011
Source ID
3daa0d7032f8a2e14163b7de112c6de6

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Marine Propulsion Engineering and Naval Architecture
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy

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