AIR VEHICLE INTEGRATION AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH (AVIATR) Task Order 0015: Predictive Capability for Hypersonic Structural Response and Life Prediction: Phase 1-Identification of Knowledge Gaps, Volume 1: Nonproprietary Version

Abstract : The Boeing Company investigated current state of the art capability for hypersonic structural response and life prediction. The study focused on identifying current knowledge gaps and limitations in the current methods and tools for design and analysis of reusable, air breathing, Mach 7 hypersonic cruise vehicles made of hot-structure in extreme environments. An open-source reference vehicle, the Technology Experimental Vehicle (TX-V) was refined using an existing Boeing vehicle as a baseline to identify critical regions and associated gaps. Research was completed documenting the methods used for extreme environment analysis on fighter, transport, and commercial aircraft. Additionally, recent and past hypersonic vehicle experience was researched and documented on the National Aerospace Plane (NASP), X-51A, and Hypersonic International Flight Research and Experimentation (HIFiRE) vehicles. Based on the historical and current research completed and the TX-V data provided, a list of knowledge gaps, capabilities needed to overcome these gaps, and predicted benefits if gaps were removed was created.