Sensitivity of AUV response to variations in hydrodynamic parameters

The sensitivity of the response of a typical AUV to changes in hydrodynamic parameters is examined. The analysis is primarily performed using a computer model of an axi-symmetric vehicle typical of many AUVs in service today. The vehicle used is the Canadian Self-Contained Off-the-shelf Underwater Testbed (C-SCOUT), designed and built by graduate and work term students. The fully nonlinear computer model is based on Newton-Euler equations of motion, and uses the component build-up method to describe the excitation forces. The hydrodynamic parameters are varied in a series of simulations with the computer model; the response being analyzed for specific performance indicators. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd All rights reserved.