Hypersonics
Aircraft operating at hypersonic speeds – Mach 5 (approximately 3800 mph at sea level) and above – confront unique challenges compared to those operating in the subsonic, transonic or supersonic regimes. Experts at the Aerospace Research Center perform basic and applied hypersonics research in pursuit of improved high-speed flight systems. Hypersonics is an interdisciplinary field and one of 14 critical technology areas identified by the United States Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, also known as OUSD(R&E), with additional applications in the commercial sector.
Innovating for ultra-fast flight
A hub for critical aerospace research, the center leverages knowledge across multiple disciplines to develop solutions spanning nearly all hypersonics areas, including aerothermodynamics, guidance navigation control (GNC), hypersonic environments, materials, structures and propulsion. The depth and breadth of the center’s labs – and those of partners across the university – allows the center to offer an entire suite of experimental, computational and theoretical hypersonics research.
The center’s facilities encompass the largest university-operated hypersonic wind tunnel in the nation (LARS Tunnel), along with several smaller-scale basic research facilities. Faculty and experienced research personnel also foster a talent pipeline of engineers trained in hypersonics research methods, equipping graduates for industry and service to the nation in this critical field.
Current initiatives:
- Boundary layer transition
- Turbulence
- Shock/boundary layer interaction
- Fluid-thermal-structural interaction
- Non-equilibrium effects
- High-speed propulsion
- Diagnostic development
Solutions-focused research
With a decades-long record of success advancing national security through hypersonic applications, center experts are ready to partner with government agencies, industry and academia on projects large and small. A wide range of commercial development opportunities is also available.
To discuss collaboration or recruitment opportunities, contact Jesse Little.
Key publication: Entropic instabilities
Flight at high speeds is greatly impacted by subtle changes in air flow around an air vehicle. Discussed in this paper is the role of entropic instabilities in laminar-turbulent transition.
Key publication: Direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a hypersonic flow over a cone
The size of a pressure transducer is known to affect the accuracy of measurements of wall-pressure fluctuations beneath a hypersonic turbulent boundary layer. In this paper, the effect of finite transducer size is investigated at Mach 8 using direct numerical simulations.