Abstract: Abstract：Objectives To effectively suppress the enhancement of circumferential inhomogeneity and flow unsteadiness in propeller wake fields caused by the downstream evolution of horseshoe vortices at underwater vehicle tail fins, this study proposes a vortex-generator array design. The proposed configuration aims to achieve hydrodynamic noise suppression and improve vehicle stealth performance through targeted flow control. Methods First, a refined flow field simulation was conducted using the finite volume method (FVM) and an improved delayed detached-eddy simulation (IDDES) turbulence model, establishing a high-precision numerical model for low-frequency excitation forces of underwater vehicle thrusters. The model was validated against published experimental data, showing an error margin <4%. Second, the vibration reduction and acoustic suppression effects were evaluated by comparing the vortex-generator-equipped scheme with the basic scheme through excitation force and noise analyses, with the mechanism explained from the perspective of flow field evolution. Subsequently, multiple VGA configurations with varying numbers of vortex generators were simulated to optimize their quantity. Finally, high-speed simulations were performed to investigate the speed dependency of the VGA’s vibration and noise reduction performance. Results The vortex-generators demonstrated significant vibration and noise reduction effects. The optimal scheme achieved a 68.56% reduction in the first blade-passing frequency (BPF) peak of rotor excitation forces, while the far-field radiated noise decreased by 1.81 dB in the transverse plane and 2.84 dB in the horizontal plane at a 1 m equivalent sound pressure level. Conclusions The vortex-generator array effectively improves the wake field by segmenting large-scale vortex structures, thereby mitigating thruster vibration and noise. The number of vortex generators should be optimized rather than maximized, and the performance remains stable at high speeds. This study provides a novel approach for reducing noise in underwater vehicle thrusters.