Design and CFD Analysis of a Modular and Portable Unmanned Surface Vehicle for Rapid Environmental Response

Abstract The demand for efficient and adaptable unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) for diverse operational environments has driven innovative design and evaluation approaches. This study presents a portable USV designed with a modular, 3D-printed construction for cost-effective production, rapid assembly, and operational flexibility. Initially developed for oil spill mitigation and environmental monitoring, the modular design integrates mission-specific payloads, such as environmental sensors and sampling tools, while its lightweight PVC frame enhances transportability and enables quick on-site assembly, a crucial factor for deployment in remote or inaccessible areas. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the study analyzed hydrodynamic performance, focusing on drag coefficients, stability, and maneuverability under a range of operational conditions from laminar to turbulent flows. These simulations informed optimal field-testing conditions to ensure low drag, reliable stability, and efficient propulsion. The findings validate the USV’s performance while highlighting the value of CFD in designing reliable, portable, and adaptable marine platforms. This research establishes a framework for scalable and cost-efficient USV technologies, addressing critical needs in disaster response and environmental monitoring. The results validate that the proposed USV is working properly under calm to mild conditions, which are the same conditions when oil spill sampling will be collected. When the wave conditions get worse, green water was observed through simulation results, indicating further optimization of the USV’s geometry is needed if the USV is going to be deployed under harsh environmental conditions.