HUNTSVILLE, Ala (August 13, 2019) – The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Air Force Test Center ground test team recently noted CFD Research’s role in the setting of a record for the highest thrust produced by an air-breathing hypersonic engine in Air Force history.
An evaluation of the nation’s test facilities concluded that none could test an engine at this large of a scale in a thermally-relevant environment. To address the issue, AEDC’s Aerodynamic and Propulsion Test Unit (APTU) facility at Arnold Air Force Base underwent a two-year upgrade to enable large-scale scramjet combustor tests over the required range of test conditions. This upgrade included technology developed by CFD Research Corporation under the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program. This technology proved crucial in achieving most of the required test conditions.
The Aerodynamic and Propulsion Test Unit (APTU) was successfully operated at conditions above Mach 4 to test an 18-foot-long Northrop Grumman-produced Scramjet engine. The engine achieved over 13,000 pounds of thrust, the record for highest thrust produced by an air-breathing hypersonic engine in Air Force history.
The AEDC Aerodynamic and Propulsion Test Unit at Arnold Air Force Base uses technology developed by CFD Research to support recent testing for the Air Force Research Laboratory Medium Scale Critical Components Scramjet program. (U.S. Air Force Photo)
“CFD Research is proud to have played a key role in the upgrade of the Aerodynamic and Propulsion Test Unit, which is a national asset in the field of hypersonic test and evaluation,” Adam Elliott, CFD Research Program Manager said. “This is also a win for the SBIR program which defined and initiated the need and gave CFD Research the chance to respond with an innovative solution.”
Read the full AFRL article here
About CFD Research:
Since its inception in 1987, CFD Research has worked with government agencies, businesses and academia to provide innovative solutions within the Aerospace & Defense, Biomedical & Life Sciences, and Energy & Materials industries. Over the years CFD Research has earned multiple national awards for successful application and commercialization of innovative component/system technology prototypes, multi-physics simulation software, multi-disciplinary analyses, and expert support services. CFD Research is an ISO9001 and AS9100 registered company and is appraised at CMMI Level II for services. Learn more at www.cfdrc.com.
