Design and analysis workflow could enable faster and cheaper US hypersonic tests
Engineering simulation specialist Ansys has teamed with the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) to provide a design and analysis workflow that will validate validating system models of current and next-generation US hypersonic vehicles.
Ansys announced on 22 September that the workflow will verify its software code fidelity by conducting physical high-speed flight tests in UTA's arc jet hypersonic wind tunnel (pictured).
This will ‘fast-track certification of simulation software codes, help decrease hypersonic technology development spending and increase engineering productivity’, Ansys claimed.
More broadly, the collaboration also aims to save hundreds of millions of dollars in spacecraft and missile prototype testing.
The DoD and NASA have prioritised the development of high-speed hypersonic aircraft, spacecraft and missile, but funding prototype flight tests is a lengthy and expensive process costing up to $100 million. There is also a shortage of engineers with hypersonic vehicle design experience.
‘Testing and validating physics-based component models within a wind tunnel that operates at hypersonic speeds and temperatures delivers a major technological advantage for our mutual customers, driving faster development of cost-effective solutions,’ explained Luca Maddalena, professor of aerospace engineering and director of the Aerodynamics Research Center at UTA.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Air Warfare
-
Sweden commits to acquire four C-390 Millennium aircraft
The acquisition of four C-390 aircraft follows the country’s signing of an MoU in 2023 and formal selection in 2024. It will join the existing contract held by the Netherlands and Austria.
-
Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year
The counter-UAS prototype, named Low-cost Air Defence or ‘LOAD’, will be used to combat kamikaze UAS.
-
Taiwan receives first F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft
The aircraft is the first of 66 to be delivered to Taiwan from Lockheed Martin.
-
Boeing to remanufacture five more US Army MH-47G Block II Chinooks
The contract award, worth $240 million, is part of the ongoing effort by the US Army to modernise its Block II Chinook rotorcraft fleet.
-
Avalon 2025: RAAF looks beyond 10 years to when future deliveries may restart
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has been substantially refreshed in the past two decades including F-35A and F/A-18F fighter aircraft, as well as the addition of transport aircraft such as C-17s, C-130 variants and C-27Js. Additional aircraft may only be a medium-term prospect.