Hypersonics into the 21st century: A perspective on AFOSR-sponsored research in aerothermodynamics

This paper documents the programmatic context and considerations that have shaped the development and execution of a number of research initiatives implemented by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research Aerothermodynamics and Turbulence portfolio since 2001. The National Hypersonic Foundational Research Plan has been developed in concert with NASA and Sandia National Laboratories to coordinate strategic planning in the scientific disciplines relevant to hypersonic technologies. The HIFiRE program has provided flight data to provide insight into the behavior of critical phenomena in-flight and helped address several key objectives identified in the National Hypersonic Foundational Research Plan. The STAR initiative facilitated the transition of knowledge and capabilities from basic research to technology development and has made key contributions to national-scale programs and Test and Evaluation capabilities. In the future the portfolio will focus on energy transfer mechanisms between kinetic, internal and chemical modes as a potential approach to new flow control capabilities and to expand the contributions of the portfolio to other areas of interest to the Air Force.