Hypersonics and Hypervelocity Research
Research for Efficiency and Safety at Hypersonic Speeds
UDRI's hypersonic and hypervelocity research supports our customers' efforts to better understand and mitigate the thermal and aerodynamic stresses involved in hypersonic flight (over five times the speed of sound). We work to make hypersonic flight a safer and more efficient reality.
Top: UDRI-designed hypersonic vehicle wind tunnel model tested in the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Mach 6 High Reynolds Facility at Wright-Patterson AFB.
UDRI performs Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling of hypersonic flows to better guide the design process and limit cases that may not be safe or cost effective to pursue.
UDRI designs, fabricates, and commissions complex hypersonic test apparatus, including the Air Force Research Laboratory's Mach 6 Ludwieg Tube wind tunnel.
UDRI performs hypervelocity impact testing on materials and structures for NASA systems to see how they will endure impact from space dust and debris traveling at hypersonic speeds.
UDRI researchers design, analyze, develop, and test hypersonic materials, components, and systems in order to verify safe and predictable performance for commercial and military customers.