McManamen, Brianne - 301-394-2019

AEDC Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9 provides unique ground test capability that is currently in high demand for development of next generation advanced hypersonic interceptors via it's recently reactived Mach 7 capability. Tunnel 9's Mach 7 capability provides full flight duplication (aero and thermal loads) for run times of 3 to 5 seconds. Operating in a hypersonic flowfield at flight duplicated enthalpies creates a challenging environment to deploy global measurement techniques such as temperature sensitive paint as well as discrete direct read heat transfer measurements (schmidt-boelter gauges etc). The researcher will work with technical staff to develop and improve aero-thermal measurement systems tailored to the unique and challenging Mach 7 wind tunnel environment. Some examples may include:

• Development of advanced temperature sensitive paint systems which survive the heat and aero-loads generated

• Development of high heat flux direct read heat transfer gauges with small form factor and that can be integrated into the test article body

• Development of IR thermography data reduction algorithms for heat transfer calculation

Research is supported through AEDC Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9 (White Oak) located in Silver Spring, Maryland; hybrid/remote work arrangements are desirable

McManamen, Brianne - 301-394-2019

AEDC Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9 provides unique ground test capability that is currently in high demand for development of next generation advanced hypersonic interceptors. A major area of interest is aero-optics testing in Tunnel 9's Mach 7 facility. The researcher will work with technical staff to develop and improve aero-optic measurement systems tailored to the unique and challenging Mach 7 wind tunnel environment. This may include:

• Investigation of sources that can generate low look angles and how these can be implemented into tunnel 9 facility (laser induced breakdown, FLEET, fiber optics), including investigation of various wavelengths from visible to infrared

• Development of wave front analysis methodologies to address the decoupling of measured aero-optic effects into the facility generated effects and the quantities of interest for seeker development

• Investigation of aero-optic measurement techniques and best practices that improve wave front data obtained in ground test facilities such as Tunnel 9

Research is supported through AEDC Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9 (White Oak) located in Silver Spring, Maryland; hybrid/remote work arrangements are desirable

McManamen, Brianne - 301-394-2019

AEDC Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9 provides unique ground test capability that is currently in high demand for development of next generation advanced hypersonic interceptors. There is a need for measurement capabilities involving jet interactions (JI) in the wind tunnel environment. This research will progress Tunnel 9 toward satisfying JI test requirements. There are several areas requiring development which may include:

1. Investigation of non-Intrusive Global Velocity Measurements: Tunnel 9 currently can provide Schlieren imagery and/or point source type velocity measurements (FLEET), but a larger field of view direct velocity measurement is ideal. Particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) has historically been considered infeasible in Tunnel 9 due to challenges of effective seeding, and molecular techniques may face similar challenges. New methodologies or processing and analysis routines are sought that can provide non-intrusive velocity measurements suited for JI testing.

2. Investigation of transient force and moment reconstruction- The interaction of a divert jet firing from a cone-like body in hypersonic flow is a source of many three-dimensional unsteady aerodynamic flow phenomena. The transient forces acting on a cone-like body due to jet interaction are of particular interest. Current commercially available internal strain gage balances which have flow-through capability are not designed to resolve transient forces and moments. A methodology for resolving transient forces and moments acting on a cone-like body by way of measurements other than internal strain gage balances is sought. The researcher will work with technical staff to specify a measurement, data reduction, and analysis approach to resolve transient forces and moments on a wind tunnel test article to work within facility and model internal volume constraints.

*Research is supported through AEDC Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9 (White Oak) located in Silver Spring, Maryland; hybrid/remote work arrangements are desirable