Hypersonic ground test capabilities for T and E testing above mach 8 'a case211 where S and T meets T and E'

摘要

Simulation of hypersonic flight in ground test and evaluation (T&E) facilities is211u001ea challenging and formidable task, especially to fully duplicate the flight 211u001eenvironment above approximately Mach 8 for most all hypersonic flight systems 211u001ethat have been developed, conceived, or envisioned. Basically, and for may years, 211u001ethe enabling technology to build such a ground test wind tunnel facility has been 211u001eseverely limited in the area of high-temperature, high-strength materials and 211u001ethermal protection approaches. To circumvent the problems, various approaches 211u001ehave been used, including partial simulation and use of similarity laws and 211u001ereduced test time. These approaches often are not satisfactory, i.e. operability 211u001eand durability testing for air-breathing propulsion development and thermal 211u001eprotection development of many flight systems. Thus, there is a strong need for 211u001escience and technology development to address these problems. This paper 211u001ediscusses a specific case where this need exists and where significant S&T 211u001einvolvement has made and continues to make significant contributions. The case 211u001ediscussed will be an Air Force research program currently underway to develop 211u001eenabling technology for a Mach 8-15 hypersonic true temperature wind tunnel with 211u001erelatively long run time. The research is based on a concept proposed by 211u001ePrinceton University using radiant or beamed energy into the supersonic nozzle 211u001eflow.