High Fidelity Ocean Surf Zone Model for Use in USMC Simulators

In the proposed research Dynaflow, Inc. and Nichols' AME propose to develop a high fidelity model of the surf-zone for implementation in marine corps simulators for the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle. Phase I research will concentrate on identifying those elements of a surf-zone model that must be specified so that accurate forces are generated by the simulator model. Particular attention will be paid to wave induced forces, breaking wave forces, and slamming forces, and to providing good models for the engine propulsion and control subsystems of the vehicle. The model will be able to take advantage of inputs such as information on wave spectra, breaking wave spectra, cartographic information, and topographic data. Gaps in the model proposed will identified, and model tests and computational fluid dynamic simulations to fill these gaps proposed. System Identification techniques will be surveyed, and a technique chosen to use the acceptance trials data to enhance the simulator fidelity. In the Phase I option a simulator fidelity. In the Phase I option a simulator wil be implemented using the collected information, and the AME Virtual Ship software to provide a baseline for Phase II. Phase II will perform the tests and simulations necessary to develop an ingrated simulation software for the AAAV dynamics, that includes the enhanced sur-zone model. The model will be validated and demonstrated for inclusion in future DoD efforts in Phase II. The proposing companies and key personnel have decades of experience in the fields of developing marine simulators, model testing, computational fluid dynamics, and system identification.