Design of optimal control surfaces for underwater vehicles

This thesis presents a method for determining the optimal size and position of stabilizing fins and control surfaces for underwater vehicles. An interactive computer program predicts performance characteristics from calculated vehicle hydrodynamic coefficients. This program merges with a dynamic simulation that utilizes the characteristic coefficients of the design vehicle configuration. Example designs illustrate the procedure and general guidelines for the design of control surfaces. Simulated steady state maneuvers illustrate the performance criteria and confirm the application of the design and simulation software package.