Certainly an interesting thought. As to rules violations, seems to me that it would be no worse than adding small vortex generators to control the flow around a vehicle. There are a lot of factors to consider and one is of dynamic similitude or dimensional analysis. While the thought seems reasonable when you start comparing water flow to air flow and the different densities in the fluids and the and the vastly different speed associated, it would need to be computationally addressed. I suspect that the scale of the fish body, those with scales probably don't work for higher speeds. No proof but suspect something like that. For instance, why do sharks have no scales? Sharks a damned fast in the water for the size and very energy efficient. Once you folk do the dimensional analysis then do some trading fact work to determine the cost benefit of making the changes. Might find that fast means really small scales (barracuda goes fast but aren't their scales pretty small. Heck since we are supposing, why not just take a ballpein hammer and dimple the vehicle all over like a golf ball.
Anyhoo, all ya'll have fun figuring it out! i think you might find it rather difficult to design such a drag reducing system. Why not active boundary layer control? Or dang, just add more turbo boost... cheaper...
drmayf TWFS
