Weapons and Materials Research Directorate Research Areas

Computational and/or experimental projectile aerodynamics

Key Word: computational aerodynamics, aeroballistics, experimental aerodynamics, fluid dynamics

The aerodynamics and flight dynamics of projectiles are being investigated using computational and experimental techniques at subsonic, transonic, and supersonic flight velocities both independently and in a cooperative fashion.  The computational methods typically utilize Navier-Stokes or hybrid Navies-Stokes and Large Eddy Simulations to investigate fluid dynamic phenomenon associated with the flight dynamics of unguided and guided flight vehicles.  Important research issues include grid generation/resolution, turbulence modeling, flow separation, and unsteady flow phenomenon.  Access to a wide variety of high performance computing platforms exist both on-site and at other DoD sites to include a variety of scaleable parallel architectures.  The experimental method most commonly employed for projectiles are the on-site spark range facilities.  These facilities allow for the complete aerodynamics and flight dynamics of guided and unguided projectiles to be determined over the first 100 m to 200 m of their trajectory depending on their size.  Important research issues relating to the flight dynamics Opportunities could also exist to leverage on-site telemetry systems for longer range understanding or off-site wind tunnels for a more in depth understanding of the flight vehicle's flow physics.