High Accuracy CFD for Internal Weapon Carriage and Release

The proposed work will use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods with high-accuracy spatial discretization and improved modeling to provide accurate predictions of weapon bay flows. The spatial discretization scheme to be used has accuracy similar to that of spectral methods, and it can accurately resolve typical mean shear layer profiles with as few as four grid points. Alternatively, the high-accuracy method can be used to efficiently perform large eddy simulations. Several turbulence modeling techinques that may be needed for improved Reynolds-averaged predictions of weapon bay flows are identified, including modeling for compressibility, streamline curvature, and nonequilibrium effects on turbulence. Accurate modeling techniques for these phenomena are identified and will be evaulated in Phase I. The goal of the work is to achieve very significant improvements in accuracy, in terms of spatial discretization and turbulence modeling, for complex weapon bay flows. The product of the research will include the simulation technology and a general Navier-Stokes simulation method applicable to a wide range fluid dynamics problem.