Hydrodynamic performance calculation of mini-AUV in uneven flow field

Mini-Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (mini-AUV), by the virtue of low cost, easy carried, has a promising future in the fields such as ocean science research, military application and commercial market. Mini-AUV is working in complex oceanic environments; the power of the thruster is limited for its small volume and light weight, sailing state of the mini-AUV is easy influenced by irregular ocean wave, current and vortex. The prediction of the mini-AUV hydrodynamic performance in complex oceanic environments is important to the maneuver and control system design. The hydrodynamic performance of a mini-AUV with axisymmetric body and tapered tail in uneven flow field with drift angle was calculated using the Finite Volume Method in conjunction with multi-block structure grid. The relationship between the velocity distribution and mini-AUV hydrodynamic performance was highlight in this paper.