Critical Technologies for Hypersonic Vehicle Development

Abstract

The objective of the present RTO/VKI Lecture Series is to focus attention on the technologies that play a critical role in hypersonic vehicle development. Owing to the demanding flight environment, successful development of hypersonic vehicles will require progress in understanding and surmounting specific technical problems in ground test, numerical simulation and flight test. Following the introductory remarks stating the objectives of the Lecture Series, a historical perspective on hypersonic vehicle development was given to establish the context and to highlight the emerging role of numerical simulation in vehicle design. A thorough review of ongoing vehicle development and flight-test programs completed the introductory portion. To provide sufficient background information, lectures were presented on compressible flows of perfect and imperfect gases, with special attention given to shock-wave boundary-layer interactions, laminar to turbulent transition, and high temperature gas properties. Advancements in computational modeling capabilities for hypersonic vehicle design were addressed, and the ongoing need for validation data, as well as a consistent validation methodology, where highlighted. Specific critical technology areas, including trajectory aerothermal environment definition, system trade studies, propulsion systems, aerodynamic control laws, flight instrumentation, thermal protection systems and flight experiments were all addressed in separate lectures given by international experts. Finally, the potential of plasma devices to ameliorate or avoid critical aerothermal phenomena was presented, providing a good example of the type of creative effort required for achieving progress. In all of the presentations the needs of future hypersonic flight vehicle development programs were addressed.