Steady Flux is currently performing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) on a
Roll-on/Roll-off ship for the U.S. Navy. The T-AKR 310, USNS Watson, is
undergoing a study to determine the effect of modifying the bulbous bow to
either remove it or change the form in order to reduce the overall drag of
the hull. The current bulbous bow was designed for use with the draft of
the ship when normally loaded with cargo and associated mission fuel. The
actual operational conditions of the ship in reality are much lighter than
anticipated, and the ship has a normal operating draft much lower than
designed. Steady Flux is creating a full free-surface model to characterize
the drag effects of each hull shape and will conclude this study in early
2010.