Dual Mode Scramjet Design to Achieve Improved Operational Stability

Control evaluation and multidisciplinary optimization are two types of computation that require extremely fast computation of vehicle or component performance. These computations require relatively accurate prediction of performance and performance trends, but they do not need to retain full-fidelity information about every part of the vehicle. This paper presents some results of a computer code that predicts the performance of scramjet and ramjet powered vehicles. The code (including some rudimentary design capability) runs in less than 2 seconds. Run times for batch analysis can be faster because redesign is not required at each iteration. Thermodynamic performance traces are presented along the flow path length. Combustor performance and design are analyzed with respect to performance and stability over a range of operating conditions. Sensitivity plots of thrust with respect to Mach number and altitude are shown. Operating maps are presented for comparison between different proposed designs.