Impact of Hypersonic Flight Environment on Electro-Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors

ABSTRACT: Analysis and Applications and Associates, Inc. (AAA) proposes to develop software that evaluates effects of the hypersonic flow environment on electro-optic/infrared optical systems and vehicles for specific hypersonic flight profiles. We propose a high fidelity definition of the near-field flow, using the latest CFD and turbulence modeling technologies, to determine the environment from which the aero-heating and aero-optic aberration are computed. The analytical tools will allow us to determine window and optical system temperature history for a specific mission profile. Use of these technologies will allow the evaluation of candidate hypersonic aerial survey platforms for commercial application such as aerial survey and remote resource sensing.; BENEFIT: Use of these technologies will allow the evaluation of candidate hypersonic aerial survey platforms for commercial application such as aerial survey and remote resource sensing. Using a hypersonic vehicle with the appropriate optical sensors could greatly reduce these costs.