Design and simulation of ex-range gliding wing of high altitude air-launched autonomous underwater vehicles based on SIMULINK

High altitude air-launched autonomous underwater vehicle (AL-AUV) is a new anti-submarine field, which is designed on the Lockheed Martin’s high altitude anti-submarine warfare weapons concept (HAAWC) and conducts the basic aerodynamic feasibility in a series of wind tunnel trials. The AL-AUV is composed of a traditional torpedo-like AUV, an additional ex-range gliding wings unit and a descending parachute unit. In order to accurately and conveniently investigate the dynamic and static characteristic of high altitude AL-AUV, a simulation platform is established based on MATLAB/SIMULINK and an AUV 6DOF (Degree of Freedom) dynamic model. Executing the simulation platform for different wing’s parameters and initial fixing angle, a set of AUV gliding data is generated. Analyzing the recorded simulation result, the velocity and pitch characteristics of AL-AUV deployed at varying wing areas and initial setting angle, the optimal wing area is selected for specific AUV model. Then the comparative simulations of AL-AUV with the selected wings are completed, which simulate the AUV gliding through idealized windless air environment and gliding with Dryden wind influence. The result indicates that the method of wing design and simulation with the simulation platform based on SIMULINK is accurately effective and suitable to be widely employed.