Translational motion of a chain of bodies in a resistive medium

Translational motion of a chain of solid bodies in a resistive medium under the action of actuators mounted between each pair of neighbouring bodies is investigated. Cases of media with linear and quadratic resistance in the isotropic and anisotropic cases are considered. It is shown that the internal forces produced by the actuators can effect translational motion of the chain with periodically varying velocity. An algorithm for controlling the interacting bodies in such a way as to effect such a motion is constructed, and necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained, guaranteeing its realization. The average velocity of translational motion of the system is estimated.