Design of a torpedo: study of drag reduction using computational fluid dynamics

Abstract

Drag is a big problem for objects moving at high speeds. The reduction of dragshould be the primary consideration of the engineers since it provides high speeds withlimited engine power. Drag reduction also provides energy saving which makes it an ever-lasting engineering study. Reduction of drag is achieved using different methods. Body shaping is the mostconventional method which is still used today. The aim of the study was to find the optimum geometry for an acoustic torpedo. In order to achieve this, different geometries that are based on a real model were generated and optimum geometry wasdetermined using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools.The examination of the optimum geometry also showed that frictional forceshave an important role in total drag force and elimination of friction drag can yield higher speeds. This study may be a good source material for those who want to studytechnologies of friction drag reduction on torpedoes.