We present a framework for discussing LES equations with nonlinear
dispersion. In this framework, we discuss the properties of the nonlinearly
dispersive Navier-Stokes-alpha model of incompressible fluid turbulence ---
also called the viscous Camassa-Holm equations and the LANS equations in the
literature --- in comparison with the corresponding properties of large eddy
simulation (LES) equations obtained via the approximate-inverse approach.
In this comparison, we identify the spatially filtered NS-alpha equations
with a class of generalized LES similarity models. Applying a certain
approximate inverse to this class of LES models restores the Kelvin circulation
theorem for the defiltered velocity and shows that the NS-alpha model describes
the dynamics of the defiltered velocity for this class of generalized LES
similarity models. We also show that the subgrid scale forces in the NS-alpha
model transform covariantly under Galilean transformations and under a change
to a uniformly rotating reference frame. Finally, we discuss in the spectral
formulation how the NS-alpha model retains the local interactions among the
large scales, retains the nonlocal sweeping effects of large scales on small
scales, yet attenuates the local interactions of the small scales amongst
themselves.