Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Wavemaker Modernization Program

Abstract

The driving technical requirements for new and modern replacements of the wave making systems at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) are discussed. Added capabilities of these new systems are presented with respect to both current and future United States Navy and Marine Corps requirements in terms of seakeeping, dynamic stability, wave-induced loads, and ride quality. The case is made that it is now time for the United States Navy to upgrade its testing capabilities in order to meet the more demanding operational requirements foreseen for future ships. Added capability includes both Operational and Technical. It is necessary to maintain the current costs of maintenance and operation while improving the availability and reducing the time required to create new test wave profiles. By going from the current pneumatic to a segmented type flap wavemaker, it has been demonstrated that these operational goals will be met. Added wave modeling capability is driven by more limited Naval resources projected to be available in the future - requiring both man and machine to do more for longer periods of time and in more severe sea conditions. The impact of this is already being seen in the model testing currently performed, with increased emphasis being placed on dynamic stability. In order to meet the future needs to evaluate seakeeping, including dynamic stability, wave-induced loads and ride quality new wave making capabilities are required. These capabilities include modeling of the directionality of the waves, having the ability to reproduce and encounter discrete wave events in a deterministic way, and improving upon the control and quality of the generated wave profiles.