Abstract
A small floating platform designed for an unmanned short-range defense system is proposed. The structures of the proposed floating platform and weapon system are detailed and described. The floating platform is investigated via virtual prototype technology in the aspects of the platform motion under sea waves of up to Beaufort wind and Douglas sea (wind-sea) scale 5. The motion equations of the floating platform are established according to the ship motion theory, and the movement of the floating platform under different wind-sea scales are simulated and analysed via multi-body fluid dynamics analysis software. To decide the proper size of the platform, the dynamic response of the floating platforms with different sizes is analysed and evaluated under various sea conditions based on multi-body dynamics. A scaled model experiment was conducted and compared with simulation results to verify the theoretical model. A verification experiment was also conducted in a water tank for the performance of the platform via simulated wave disturbance. Results show that the designed floating platform could provide a stable platform in the horizontal direction under a wind-sea scale 3 environment for the defense weapon system, which well meets the design requirement.