Hypersonics (US Only)

Goals

Support hypersonics research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) efforts at GTRI. This will generally include (1) design and fabrication of experimental test articles for ground and flight tests, (2) development of test stands/diagnostic tools for use in existing test facilities and/or the design of new facilities, and (3) flight test planning.
Due to ITAR and other access restrictions this project is limited to US citizens only.

Issues Involved or Addressed

Even in the world’s most advanced ground test facilities (i.e., wind tunnels), it can be challenging to recreate thermal and mechanical loads experienced by hypersonic aircraft in flight, and correlating ground and flight test data can be challenging. Full-scale flight testing remains the ultimate design validation; however, such tests are extremely costly, and a failed flight test can present a major setback. GTRI is developing new ways to conduct tests in high-temperature and high-speed environments at relatively low cost and high cadence (i.e., successive tests can be performed with a short time between them). Such tests are meant to complement full-scale flight testing. This team also addresses a need for workforce development in hypersonics RDT&E. This area is at the forefront of national defense and there is a demand for skilled scientists and engineers.

Partners/Sponsors

Georgia Tech Research Institute. Proposals being sent to various external funding agencies.