High Speed Systems Test
Abstract
High-speed/hypersonic weapons are being developed to ensure the continued military superiority and strike capability of the United States. Current weapon system demonstrations and technology development programs include high-speed and hypersonic air-breathing missiles, maneuvering reentry and boost/glide weapons, hypersonic gun-launched projectiles, and air-breathing space access vehicles. These systems require development of high-speed turbine, ramjet, scramjet, and combined cycle engines; high temperature materials; thermal protection systems; and thermal management systems. In addition, important advancements are underway in systems such as conventional turbine engines and high-speed (supercavitating) torpedoes. In response to advances made in technologies to achieve prompt strike weapons, the Advanced Propulsion Test Technology project has been renamed to High Speed System Test (HSST) to address test technology needs beyond propulsion testing, including aerodynamic and aerothermal testing, so that the test community has the technology to support the required test scenarios for concepts under development in the science and technology (S&T) community. Furthermore, the technology development efforts within the HSST project have been re-prioritized to align to Secretary of Defense guidance on S&T priority investments for FY2013-2017. The HSST project is developing advanced test and evaluation (T&E) technologies for ground test (both advanced propulsion and aerodynamic/aerothermal testing), for open-air range flight test, and for advanced computational tools, along with instrumentation and diagnostics systems that could be used both in ground tests and flight tests of high speed systems. The HSST project develops technologies to enable robust, accurate, and timely T&E of these future weapon systems. Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition regulations require weapon systems to undergo a thorough T&E process to detect deficiencies early and to ensure system suitability and survivability. However, the extreme environments in which these weapons operate preclude accurate determination of their performance with today’s T&E assets. Current national test capabilities have deficiencies in data accuracy, flight condition duplication and simulation, test methods, productivity, modeling and simulation (M&S) fidelity, and range safety. The HSST mission is to provide test technologies that will enable high-speed and hypersonic weapon systems to be successfully developed through accurate, robust, and efficient T&E.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2013
- Source ID
- 1_0603941D8Z_3_0400_PB_2013
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- Root: Test and Evaluation/Science and Technology
- Child Accomplishment: High Speed Systems Test