Efficient Multiphysics Modeling Framework for Rain-Induced Damage and Aerodynamic Effects on Hypersonic Vehicles

As hypersonic flight systems are brought into the nationís inventory, there is a need to be able to assess the system level effects of flight through natural weather. ÝDevelopmental flight testing is performed in pristine weather conditions, not in adverse natural environments. ÝFlying through high altitude clouds and storm fronts at hypersonic velocities can cause significant damage and alter the forces and moments of the vehicle thereby challenging vehicle guidance.Ý This program develops a system level tool to assess damage mechanisms of natural weather focused on liquid hydrometeors.Ý Weather damage increases with the speed of the flight system, so hypersonic systems are at greatest risk.Ý This class of vehicles therefore needs a physics-based M&S tool that can accurately translate localized damage to the system performance level.Ý This program will develop a fully coupled M&S tool implemented on GPUís that will capture damage from natural raindrop distribution functions and predict the aerodynamic, aerothermal, structural, and guidance effects experienced by hypersonic systems.Ý Effects such as droplet stripping, weather shielding, flowfield/impact coupling, and other key aspects of weather encounter will be modeled.