CFD for flight dynamics

Characterising missile and rockets airframe aerodynamic loads (forces and moments) is a critical aspect of missile engineering. The aerodynamic information is used to assess stability and control, mission performance and manoeuvrability. However, high speed, high angle of attack flows over long slender bodies, create significant difficulties to state-of-the-art modelling tools.

Challenges arise from the complex flow phenomena common in such environments: strong shocks, vortex shedding and/or massive separation. These and other unsteady, highly nonlinear features play a determinant role in the performance and behaviour of vehicles operating in these flow regimes. To fully capture all relevant physics efficiently, the development of innovative CFD methodologies is necessary.

This project will investigate methods to accelerate the computation of dynamic derivatives of slender bodies, over typical M_∞-α- β flight envelopes.

The project aim is to develop new methodologies to accelerate the prediction of unsteady flows for the DLR TAU CFD code. This will be developed in collaboration with MBDA UK.

The student will join the Centre for Aerodynamics and Environmental Flow in the Department of Mechanical Engineering Sciences.