The CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) method is widely used in the prediction of hydrodynamics acting on the marine vehicle due to its advantages. Nguyen [
1] simulated virtual captive model test in Ansys Fluent for a full-scale submarine with a Cross-plane rudder configuration for estimating hydrodynamic coefficients. The virtual captive model tests of BB2 submarine in CFD-based simulation were performed by Cho et. al. [
2] for the prediction of hydrodynamic forces and moment acting on the hull and the X-rudder plane configuration. Hydrodynamic forces, moments, and added masses of the submarine hull were obtained for evaluating the maneuvering characteristics of the submarine with six degrees of freedom. The thrust and moment of the propeller were estimated in open water condition. The turning ability of the submarine was verified with the results obtained from free-running model tests. The free running test of an underwater vehicle with six-degrees of freedom based on CFD method was implemented by Kim et. al [
5]. Straight line and steady turning maneuver of the vehicle were also performed. The results showed that maneuvering characteristics of the vehicle were in good with the experimental results. An Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) with X-rudder plane configuration was also presented by Zhang et. al. [
6]. The hydrodynamic force and moment of the X-rudder plane were predicted and compared with the results of Cross-rudder plane configuration. An X-rudder configuration for the autonomous underwater vehicle was tested by Zang et. al. [
7] and the hydrodynamic characteristics of the body and rudders were then introduced to the equation of motion and control of the vehicle. Maneuvering behaviors of the model of CRN-INSEAN 2475 submarine with X-rudder or C-rudder configurations were predicted by Broglia et. al. [
8]. The trajectory parameters of turning motion of the submarine were predicted for the angle of attacks of 5, 10, and 15 degrees. It is proved that the turning characteristics of the flapped X-rudder configuration are better than the turning behavior of the submarine using conventional X-plane rudder configurations. The captive model tests of the DARPA, SWE, and SMG submarines were carried out by Piaggio et. al. [
9] for predicting hull forces and rudder forces for prediction of the maneuvering characteristics. The failure of the stern steering of the submarine with X-rudder plane or Cross-rudder plane configurations was also investigated. Hydrodynamic force and moment of an underwater vehicle with Cross-rudder plane configuration were obtained through CFD-based simulation of rotating arm test, drift test, rudder test and the combination tests between rotating arm and rudder deflection or drift-rudder, [
10]. The obtained hydrodynamic coefficients were then introduced into the equations of the turning motion for evaluating the turning behavior of the vehicle. The latering force and yaw moment of the Cross-skeg rudder and X-rudder configurations were predicted through experimental method by Ke et. al., [
11]. The axial velocites of fluid flow induced by the rudder plane configurations were investigated. The stern of SUBOFF-G submarine with a propeller and the Cross-skeg rudder configuration was automatic maneuverd for carrying out of the forward running and diving motion. The propeller thrust and resistance of the submarine obtainded from the virtual self-propulsion test were compared for finding the rotational speed of the propeller, [
12]. Also, the visual of unsteady fluid flow surround the submarine with the propller and Cross-rudder plane configuration was investigated. The turing ability of a submarine with the X-rudder plane configuration and virtual propeller was predicted by numerical simulation of turning circles with different deflection of the rudders in Star-CMM+ code as shown in [
13]. The complex fluid flow around the DARPA SUBOFF submarine with rudder deflection was analyzed based on OpenFOAM [
14]. Hydrodynamic force and moment of the rudder with a wide range of deflection angles were calculated and compared with the experimental data. The forward running of a submarine near free water surface were simulated by Ansys Fluent code for predicting the resistance of the hull with Cross-rudder plane configuration and the thrust and torque of the propeller, [
15]. The obtained results showed that the resistance of the hull and rudder plane near free surface are increased by 129-174% in comparision with the resistance of the submarine in deep water condition. The straight ahead motion and side-slip motion of 10 degrees of the model of DSTO generic submarine with full apendages were investigated by RANS (Reynolds-averaged Navier-stokes) and LES (Large Eddy Simulation) methods [
16]. The fluid flow characteristics obtained from the numerical simulation such as axial velocity profiles, displacement of vortex core and turbulent intensity, were compared with the experimental results.
In this study, three types of rudder configuration located in the stern of a submarine will be analyzed using Ansys Fluent code. Hydrodynamic forces and moments acting on the X-plan rudder, Y-plane, and Cross-plane rudder configurations are numerically predicted. The best stern-plane rudder configuration from the point of view of the submarine’s maneuvering characteristics will be analyzed.