Predicting Hypersonic Boundary-Layer Transition on Complex Geometries

Abstract

Reliable prediction and control of boundary-layer transition are crucial to the design and safe operation of hypersonic vehicles, such as reusable launch and re-entry vehicles, missile interceptors, and missiles for time-critical strike. Decades of intensive research has led to significant advances in understanding and modeling of the physical mechanisms, especially for simple generic configurations. Yet, designers of complex hypersonic vehicles have had to rely upon empirical transition prediction methods, despite the well-known shortcomings of those approaches. Such simple empirical methods have been validated only for specific geometries under limited conditions, presenting large uncertainties for more general geometries and operating environments. To address these challenges, the NATO STO AVT-346 research task group was established to foster collaborative experimental and numerical research on hypersonic laminar-turbulent transition. By facilitating the exchange of experimental and numerical results among different research groups as part of a coordinated international research effort, this research task group has made significant progress in the specific areas described in this Virtual Collection.