The effect of speed and geometry on the characteristics of the plume generated by submarine masts

Due to operational requirements, submarines are required to pierce the free surface with a mast whilst underway, generating a significant plume structure which greatly increases the submarine’s probability of detection. Therefore, accurately modelling and understanding the flow regime which generates the plume is critical in order to improve the mast shape and configuration to reduce the plume size and its visual signature.

This paper reports on a numerical and experimental study to investigate the plume generated by a surface piercing mast. A validated numerical model is used to investigate a number of mast shapes and double mast configurations as possible options to reduce the plume size. It is seen that the use of a smaller forward mast can significantly reduce the plume size generated by the masts.