LCS-1

"Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited"

Software Tool Suite for Bubble Wake Signature of

Waterjet Propelled Ships
Dynaflow, Inc.
10621-J Iron Bridge Road
Jessup, Maryland 20794

Contact: Dr. Georges L. Chahine

Phone: (301) 604-3688 LCS-2

Fax: (301) 604-3689

Email: glchahine@dynaflow-inc.com
Website: www.dynaflow-inc.com

Command: NAVSEA
Topic: N06-T022

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Developing the capability to defend surface ships against attack by wake-homing

torpedoes is a high priority for the U.S. Navy. While significant expertise and
capability has been developed in understanding the risks of acoustic signatures of wakes
from conventionally propelled surface ships, little headway has been made for the risk of
acoustic signatures of wakes from waterjet propelled ships such as the Littoral Combat
Ship (LCS).

The ability to predict the density of bubbles and acoustic signature of wakes of these
ships would enable the Navy to better assess their vulnerability and enhance their design
during the ship engineering phase. In addition, the ability to model wakes under varying
operating conditions would enable the Navy to better develop defenses against wake-
homing torpedoes.

Bubble generation and entrainment in the transom region of a surface ship, along its hull
and in breaking following waves are major contributors to the ship signature. For
advanced ships, such as the LCS and the Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV), waterjet
propulsion adds another source of air entrainment through the waterjet and free surface
interactions in the transom region and beyond.1 In littoral warfare, such bubbly wakes
provide a means to home torpedoes enabling them to find their target because of large
acoustic cross section of the bubbles.

1
Development of Software Tool Suite for the Prediction of Bubbly Wake Acoustic
Signature of Waterjet Propelled Surface Ships, Report 2M6024 – ONR – STTR – 1,
March 2007.

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There is not a proven method for predicting the acoustic signature of wakes for waterjet
propelled ships The method for conventionally propelled ships is to use simulation to
model ship vulnerability to torpedo attack combining both hull and propulsor bubbly
wake field metrics. These simulations have been validated for conventionally propelled
ships. In contrast, current models for waterjet propulsors are based upon a very small
number of water measurements and do not appear to simulate actual waterjet propulsors
well. The limited data seems to indicate that waterjet powered ship wakes can be either
much shallower or much deeper and also more intense than those of conventionally-
propelled ships. 2

A software suite that enables ship designers and builders to model and predict bubbly
wakes for different ship and waterjet propulsion designs would contribute to the
minimization of ship acoustic cross sections and thereby increase ship and warfighter
safety.

Similar considerations and challenges of minimizing acoustic signatures from waterjet

propulsion also extend to the design and operation of other surface and underwater
vehicles including submarines and submersibles.

WHO CAN BENEFIT?

The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) will also perform MIW, SUW and ASW missions as
well as Special Operations Forces (SOF) support, high-speed transit, Maritime
Interdiction Operations (MIO), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), and
Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP). While complementing capabilities of the
Navy's larger multi-mission surface combatants, LCS will also be networked to share
tactical information with other Navy aircraft, ships, submarines, and joint units..

The software tool suite can also be of interest to the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV)
program managed by PMS 385. It is a Navy led acquisition of a platform intended to
support users in the Department of the Navy and Department of the Army. The JHSV
program is a cooperative effort for a high-speed, shallow draft vessel intended for rapid
intra-theatre transport of medium sized cargo payloads. JHSV is expected to reach
speeds of 35~45 knots and allow for the rapid transit and deployment of conventional or
Special Forces as well as equipment and supplies. Waterjets are a major choice of
propulsion for this high speed.

The Sea Base Connector Transformable-Craft (T-CRAFT) Prototype Demonstrator

Program could be another application opportunity. The Office of Naval Research,
beginning in FY06, has been embarking on an effort to develop “Game Changing”
Innovative Naval Prototypes (INPs) for Seabasing. The total INP Seabasing effort is
currently programmed to run from FY06 through the end of FY11 with a total of $295M
programmed. Other Seabasing INP BAAs to be released include the Sea Base
Transformational Package and Ordnance Rapid Transfer System (TransPORTS)
2
STTR Technology Transition Plan for N06-T022 - Waterjet Wake Characterization
Suite, October 2009.

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Prototype Demonstrator, the Personnel Transfer At-Sea Prototype Demonstrator, and the
Sea Base Intermediate Transfer Station (ITS) Prototype Demonstrator.

Other potential users in DoD are Naval intelligence agencies and Special Operations
Command (SOCOM). Immediate application could be made to high speed Special
Operations Command (SOCOM) Combatant Crafts such as the MK V Special Operations
Craft (using two Kamewa K50S waterjets), the Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIB; some types
use waterjets), and the Riverine Crafts.

BASELINE TECHNOLOGY

While there have been significant successful R&D efforts to understand and observe
bubble generation and entrainment in breaking waves, little has been done so far about
other means of bubble generation and entrainment.3 The Office of Naval Research
already has responded to such a need and has an on-going R&D program with
DYNAFLOW on the bubble entrainment in propeller flows. Much experimental and
computational work has been done in studying these bubbly wakes with the objective of
reducing the vulnerability of naval vessels mostly on traditional propeller driven ships 4
such the CVN-75. However, much less effort has been made towards non-conventional
waterjet driven ships such as the Littoral-Combat-Ship class, which is of primary interest
in this STTR.

TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION

DYNAFLOW has teamed with the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at the Pennsylvania
State University to develop software for modeling the waterjet driven ships bubbly wakes
and has conducted experiments to validate and refine the models.

In Phase I, the software components were validated against laboratory experiments at

DYNAFLOW. In the experimental study, the bubble entrainment, population and size
distribution were measured with optical and acoustic means as well as using laser light
attenuation. The observed bubble information and understanding of the entrainment
physics lead to the development and evaluation of bubble entrainment models.

In Phase I, the efforts were directed to submerged waterjets. However, since the actual
LCS waterjets operate both submerged and above water depending on the ship speed, in
Phase II the efforts were to develop bubble entrainment models for ships propelled by
waterjets and to demonstrate that the models predict properly the bubbly wake signature
and enable engagement simulations integrating the software components with the
Technology Requirements Model (TRM).

3
Development of Software Tool Suite for the Prediction of Bubbly Wake Acoustic
Signature of Waterjet Propelled Surface Ships, Report 2M6024-ONR-STTR-1, March
2007.

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"Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited"

Using experimental laboratory observations, we have developed bubble entrainment

models for waterjet free surface interaction and for cavitation in the jet shear layer of the
bubbly wake. We have incorporated bubble generation models and wave breaking
models into ship hydrodynamics flow field computations. Through comparisons against
laboratory experiments, the validity of the developed codes will be demonstrated. We
will develop an interface with the Technology Requirements Model (TRM) and
demonstrate its capabilities. We will also conduct experiments to verify the results on a
model scale of the LCS and at sea on the LCS involving wake acoustic monitoring and
bubble measurements to provide further validation and help improve the modeling. We
will then use the Technology Requirements Model (TRM) engagement simulation to
predict ship vulnerability to torpedo attack.

Table 1: Features, Advantages, and Benefits

Features Advantages Benefits

Uses Level Set Two- Avoid using moving grids to track
Phase Model the free surface deformations
Uses Air Entrainment Air entrainment and subsequent
Physical Models bubble creation in waterjet-induced
free surface breaking are modeled
based on understanding of the
physical mechanisms with the help
of experimental observations
Provides instantaneous Utilizes a Discrete Bubble Tracking
bubble size spatial Model which enables time-accurate
distribution prediction and analysis.
Interfaces to the ARL Provides input of waterjet
Technology propulsors generated wake to the
Requirements Model Technology Requirements Model
(TRM) enabling modeling of the
engagement between platforms
(ships and submarines) and weapons
and/or countermeasures
Capability for varied Ability to simulate across full range
operating conditions of conditions
and parameters
Better for large free surface
deformations /breakup into
bubbles and droplets
Reliable and accurate physics-
based model
Can be integrated with
Technology Requirement Model
(TRM) to achieve acoustic
signature analysis
Characterize wake acoustics and
assess threat performance for
various operational
configurations in order to predict
ship vulnerabilities.
Better ability to predict ship
vulnerability and develop
defenses against wake homing
torpedoes

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CURRENT STATE OF DEVELOPMENT

The current software model of the waterjet plume has been completed and prediction
performance has been validated in local test tank resulting in a TRL of 4 as of November
2009. We are planing to conduct towing tank test to acquire a reliable data for validation
with Phase II Option 1 and following by an Option II for at sea testing.

Major milestones in Phase II are summarized in the following table.

Risk-
Milestone TRL Measure of success TRL date
Test
Validation of bubbly wake 3 low Predictions and April 2006
for submerged water jet measurements agreement (complete)
Two-Phase Flow Model for 4 low Implemented model is Oct 2009
plunging jet able to capture free (complete)
surface breaking
Waterjet Air Entrainment 4 medium Implemented model is Feb 2010
Model able to generate bubbles
from free surface
breaking
Co-Flow Integration in 5 medium Reliable data is required Aug 2010
Towing Tank for validation
At Sea Testing 6 medium Reliable data is required Feb 2011
for validation

Following Phase II development and data measurement in towing tank and sea testing,
we will focus our efforts toward transition. These steps required to transition the
technology subsequent to completion of the Phase II are summarized below:

Required Tests, Demos, Organizations to

TRL Target date
and next steps be involved
6 Applications to actual 2011 DYNAFLOW, ARL,
ships (LCS) ONR, NUWC
7 Mission scenario 2012 DYNAFLOW, ARL,
demonstration ONR, NUWC
8 Matured capability at 2013 DYNAFLOW, ARL,
mission scenario level ONR, NUWC
9 Fully integrated software 2013 DYNAFLOW, ARL,
system software users

REFERENCES

Technical Point of Contact: (401) 525-0484

CSC Mr. Thomas F. Owen

Senior Engineer

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Alion Science and Technology

(540) 663-2752
towen@csc.com

NSWC Dr. Mark Hyman

Naval Surface Warfare Center – Panama City
(850) 234-4126
Mark.c.hyman@navy.mil

ONR Dr. Patrick Purtell

Office of Naval Research
(703)696-4409
Patrick.purtell@navy.mil

ABOUT THE COMPANY

DYNAFLOW, INC. was founded in 1988 by Dr. Georges L. Chahine, a leading expert in the
dynamics of interfaces such as in air cavities, free surfaces, and hydrodynamics. The
company has undergone a controlled and steady period of growth. Starting from a staff
of one assistant, the company has grown to a staff size of 20, with 10 PhDs. Revenues for
2008 totaled $1.7 million. The company has established a reputation for quality R&D
and testing work, and follows an interdisciplinary approach to problems, using a
combination of scientific tools to achieve results. DYNAFLOW has leading research
scientists in the fields of mechanical, civil, chemical engineering, laboratory facilities
including fluid dynamics, jet technology, chemical, materials testing, microbiology,
environmental testing, and almost 20 years of experience in bubble dynamics, cavitation,
ship hydrodynamics, jets, material testing, etc. The company also has acquired several
patents in waterjets and filtration technology and has commercialized these products
along with its fluid dynamics software. DYNAFLOW’s state of the art technology in
bubble dynamics and ship hydrodynamics and customer-minded flexible interdisciplinary
approaches will bring the best solutions to customers with the benefit of reduced cost for
development. DYNAFLOW’s major customers include the Office of Naval Research, Naval
Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Indian Head and Carderock Divisions, NASA, the
National Institute of Health (NIH), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

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