Assessment of Underwater Glider Performance Through Viscous Computational Fluid Dynamics

The process of designing an apt hydrodynamic shape for a new underwater glider is discussed. Intermediate stages include selecting a suitable axi-symmetric hull shape, adding hydrofoils and appendages, and evaluating the performance of the final design. All of the hydrodynamic characteristics are obtained using computational fluid dynamics using the k(T) - k(L) - omega transition model. It is shown that drag reduction of the main glider hull is of crucial importance to the ultimate performance. Suggested steps for achieving this arc the encouragement of natural laminar How, integration of sensors into the streamlined hull shape, and sound operational practice.