Hypersonic Control

Competitive advantage

• Technologies developed are used to test robust control algorithms on representative configurations in hypersonic flows
• Test technologies cover both “algorithm-in-the-loop” testing in wind tunnels as well as “software-in-the-loop” testing via numerical simulation
• Technologies can be applied to evaluate novel actuation methods such as fluidic control and fluidic thrust vectoring

Impact

• Test methodologies enable a steady progression through Technology Readiness Levels of both control algorithms and control actuation approaches by testing them dynamically in flow conditions representative of hypersonic flight

Successful applications

• Development of technologies to test both control methodologies and control actuation approaches; supported by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research and BAE Systems

Capabilities and facilities

• High-speed wind tunnels including T-ADFA and the Supersonic Nozzle Test Facility
• Partner facilities at USQ and HDT at the University of Oxford
• Commercial and in-house numerical codes are utilised to predict the transient performance of control approaches and to optimise their design