Dynamic Force Measurement Solution (DFMS) for Hypersonic Ground Testing

The immediate future of U.S. hypersonic vehicle development rests on the capabilities of current DAF/DoD ground-test facilities. One considerable capability gap lies with aerodynamic balances, which are crucial to directly measuring vehicle flight characteristics (e.g., lift, drag, and moment). Many new hypersonic vehicle designs are being equipped with reaction control systems (RCS) or divert attitude control systems (DACS), which produce a dynamic force on the vehicle, as typical aerodynamic control surfaces do not provide enough control authority at hypersonic speeds and altitudes. It is imperative for the vehicle design that the jet interaction with the surrounding hypersonic flow be understood, and the corresponding dynamic forces be accurately quantified. Current ground-test facilities are only equipped with standard static force balances that measure the mean aerodynamic loads. Due to the balance/stingÆs inertial response, these types of balances are not capable of accurately measuring dynamic loads, and no direct measurement alternative exists. To address this critical measurement capability gap, Ahmic proposes to adapt their commercial static balance technology and leverage its experience with calibrations and force reconstruction algorithms to develop a new Dynamic Force Measurement Solution (DFMS), which will allow a new age of hypersonic weapons systems to be accurately tested and characterized.