Hydrodynamic investigation of the AUV PICASSO

JAMSTEC developed the AUV PICASSO for study of the deep-sea plankton and marine snow. To obtain adequate cruising performance such as propulsive performance and maneuverability, investigation of hydrodynamic performance is of necessity. The authors conducted the investigations of hydrodynamic performance of the AUV PICASSO such as a water resistance of hull with the numerical analysis - CFD and the experiments using models, a propulsive characteristic with the thruster open test, and the observation of a flow field around the AUV with wind tunnel test.