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Video by Devin Pisner

Carderock’s 260-foot Diameter Circular Basin with a Rotating Arm is an Engineering Marvel

Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division

Jan. 2, 2025 | 4:12

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock's Rotating Arm showcased its large-scale dynamic capabilities during Mock Model Testing the week of June 16th at the Mask in West Bethesda, MD. The Rotating Arm Facility features a 260-foot diameter circular basin with a rotating arm that pivots around a central post, allowing for the towing of models in circular paths. This facility primarily conducts propulsion evaluations during turns and experiments on captive model stability and control, measuring hydrodynamic forces and moments during steady turns. Testing is performed on both submarine and surface ship models. Carderock is a leading Navy research and development facility specializing in critical ship design components, headquartered in West Bethesda, MD. The Carderock Division supports small-scale model testing and evaluation of next-generation surface ships and underwater vessels.