Request for Information – Free Running Submarine Model (FRSM

The National Research Council of Canada, Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering (NRC-OCRE) is preparing to procure a Free Running Submarine Model as part of a suite of tools in support of submarine hydrodynamic research. Ultimately, these new tools will be used to investigate any operational and design issues associated with the Canadian Navy’s current and future submarines.

This FRSM will be an extension of the submarine hydrodynamics facilities currently at the NRC. As a larger scale model (approximately 7m, 1:10), it is an ideal platform to study the maneuverability, propulsion, hydroacoustic, and emergency operations for new and existing submarine concepts. Submarine model testing is typically done on a 1:15 scale model that is captive – i.e., attached to a mechanism and is pushed through the water in one of the NRC’s test tanks. The free running capability will allow the model to be operated in a variety of environments, as well as perform tests that are otherwise unavailable with conventional models.