Comments on the Use of 3D Printing Technology in the Design of an AUV Destined for the Identification and Destruction of Underwater Mines

Abstract

The International Maritime Organization and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are today, enforcing increasingly stringent rules for maritime safety and security on a national and international scale. The need for security in the Black Sea has increased, the degree of danger has risen, and the risk of loss of life and destruction of ships or other surface or submersible marine vehicles cannot be overlooked. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have various civil applications (targeting economic, industrial, and commercial interests), but military applications have recently gained prominence (needs for information, surveillance, and inspection, for the identification and destruction of risk obstacles). Given the high risk of destruction during the operation, solutions are being sought to enable the rapid and cost-free construction of AUVs without compromising their performance and efficiency. The paper’s novelty is provided by the mention of 3D printing technologies as a possible solution, taking into account the successes in other essential fields of science and technology. The contribution of the paper was related to the AUV’s body extremities (bow and stern), and the following factors were considered: geometric design using computer-aided design methods; hydrodynamic analysis of forms using computational fluid dynamics methods; and prototype manufacturing using 3D printing.