An Introduction to Wake Active Manipulation

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of Wake Active Manipulation (WAM). This novel principle can be summarised as controlling wake profiles with the intention of producing useful effects outside of the normal propulsive efficiency gains. The use of which could assist the recovery of unmanned autonomous assets. Frazer-Nash assessed this concept through an analytical wake study of a vessel and appendage. The assessment summarised the ability to create a similar wake profile to what small craft utilise for ‘wake surfing’. It was suggested that by utilising wake patterns in a similar fashion, a largemothership could assert a controlling or guiding force onto an approaching asset to assist recovery operations.