Technical Challenge of Discrete Suction LFC Vehicles

The drag and propulsive power of suction LFC undersea vehicles can be reduced by factors of 6 and 8, respectively, with accompanying reduction in self generated noise. This dramatic improvement in performance has not yet been demonstrated on an undersea vehicle, primarily because of two technical problems: (1) the prevention of ocean, particle capture on the vehicle surface at the suction aperture inlets; and (2) the development of an economically producible suction hull design. The problem of the ocean particles now appears to be under control, and the hull design/ development problem is being addressed. The novelty of the problems, the search for solutions and the performance gains to be realized all combine to make the development of suction LFC vehicles an exciting technical challenge for the engineer and scientist.