BOUNDARY LAYER TRANSITION (BOLT) POST-FLIGHT RESEARCH AND BOLT II FLIGHT TEST SUPPORT
Abstract
Prediction of hypersonic boundary-layer transition and turbulent flow physics is critical to optimize the design of hypersonic vehicles for maximum range, thermal survivability, and controllability. The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) is working with the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) and numerous Government, academic, and industry organizations to obtain needed boundary layer physics validation data in the hypersonic flight regime. An initial flight test called Boundary Layer Transition (BOLT) will occur in May 2020. A second flight test called Boundary Layer Turbulence (BOLT II) will occur in Summer 2021. This research will continue to utilize the BOLT boundary-layer transition flight data to discover the salient physics of the laminar-to-turbulent transition process observed during the test, and to disseminate the findings and test data at the direction of the AFOSR to other investigators. JHU/APL will complete a thorough core analysis of the BOLT flight experiment data that will result in a postprocessed dataset along with characterization of the observed transition front behavior and physics from the flight data. This research will also strengthen the development of the planned Texas A&M and CUBRC BOLT II flight test to study turbulent flow phenomena by leveraging the expertise and significant experience of the JHU/APL team who led the BOLT flight experiment. JHU/APL will conduct independent aerodynamic and thermal analyses to ensure the BOLT II flight experiment will be delivered at the desired experimental conditions and that the experiment hardware will survive through the flight environment. JHU/APL will also assist the BOLT II team in post-processing the flight data. The research will be completed by a team with expertise in hypersonics, computational fluid dynamics, wind tunnel testing, and flight testing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2021
- Source ID
- FA95502010043
Entities
People
- Bradley Wheaton
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Johns Hopkins University
- United States Air Force