Water Tunnel Tests of the Hydrobomb

Abstract

This report covers Water Tunnel tests of a 2" diameter model of the hydrobomb, conducted at the Hydraulic Machinery Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology. This work was authorized by Dr. E. H. Colpitts, Chief of Section 6.1, NDRC, as a part of Project OD-99. The purpose of the tests was to determine the drag, cross force, moment, and center-of-pressure eccentricity for various settings of the vertical and horizontal rudders, and also the extent to which these rudders are effective in controlling the torpedo. Runs were also made to determine the cavitation effects produced under the specified operating conditions, namely, a velocity of 70 miles per hour and a submergence of 15 feet. Photographs were taken showing a wide range of cavitation effects. The report includes curves giving the performance characteristics as well as flow line drawings made by observing the model in the Polarized Light Flume. Appendix A gives definitions of the terms used in this report as well as a brief discussion of the required conditions for stability in a projectile.