Study of cavitation evolution characteristics during salvo water-exit of vehicles

This study systematically investigates the cavitation dynamics during the salvo water-exit of vehicles through comprehensive experiments conducted on a specially designed test platform. The research focuses on the cavitation interference characteristics and compares the motion behaviors of single and dual vehicles under typical operating conditions. Several key findings are revealed: During the salvo water-exit process, distinct asymmetrical cavitation collapse patterns were observed between consecutive vehicles. Specifically, the first vehicle exhibited a shorter cavitation collapse duration and a higher peak lateral acceleration compared with the second vehicle. Axial velocity analysis showed that the first vehicle achieved a higher maximum velocity retention rate and enhanced velocity attenuation characteristics compared with the second vehicle. Furthermore, when compared with single-vehicle water-exit, the first vehicle’s shoulder cavity reached a stable state more rapidly, and cavity shedding occurred earlier. During salvo water-exit, the second vehicle experienced more pronounced cavity collapse, with cavity length and thickness being smaller than those of a single vehicle under identical conditions. Further analysis indicated that for both single- and dual-vehicle underwater launches, cavity development at the shoulder was more restricted in the radial direction than in the axial direction. Notably, the salvo water-exit interval significantly suppressed the lateral velocity and acceleration of the vehicles, advanced the timing of the maximum axial velocity, and increased the attenuation rate during the collapse phase. These results provide valuable insights into the complex interactions between vehicles during salvo water-exit and offer guidance for the design and optimization of underwater vehicle launch systems.