Reduced-Order Fluid-Thermal-Structural Interactions Model for Control System Design and Assessment

ABSTRACT:The proposed research will examine innovative approaches for real time simulation of the coupled fluid-thermal-structural response of hypersonic muntions operating on terminal trajectories for the purpose of high-fidelity closed-loop guidance and control. This will be accomplished by combining state-of-the-art model reduction approaches for CFD aerothermodynamics and FEM thermo-structural dynamics of hypersonics with novel real-time simulation capabilities. The goal is a real-time multi-fidelity, multi-physics computational simulation framework that will enable robust and trusted operations and decisions for munitions operating on terminal hypersonic trajectories (e.g. Mach 6-12, 80 kft to sea level).BENEFIT:High-speed weapons represent a game changing technology that are essential for maintaining air & space superiority, and by extension, national security of the U.S. However, successful development of such systems is currently obstructed by a litany of challenges; many of which that stem from: 1) a tight coupling between the aerodynamic, structural, control, and propulsion sub-systems, 2) operation in extremely high energy, combined loading conditions (e.g., fluid, thermal, inertial, and acoustic loads) that drive FTSI, 3) the complexity of maintaining precision in the presence of evolving vehicle properties (caused by FTSI), and 4) the impracticality of conducting ground-based experiments that can tackle these issues.1 As advances are made in FTSI modeling technology a next step is the development of real-time enabled models as real-time simulation is critical for the development of electronic guidance and control systems. Thus, research is needed in order to successfully advance the development of high-speed weapon systems.