Objective
The HEXAFLY-INT project aims to flight test an experimental vehicle above Mach 7 to verify its potential for a high aerodynamic efficiency during a free-flight while guaranteeing a large internal volume. The feasibility for a 3m long vehicle was demonstrated during the European L0 precursor project HEXAFLY. Its realization will now be enabled on an international scale underlining the need for global cooperation in case of a future deployment of a high-speed cruiser.
This flight opportunity will increase drastically the Technology Readiness Level of developments realized in previous high-speed EC projects such as ATLLAS I & II and LAPCAT I & II.
The different technologies and methodologies which need experimental flight testing at high speed are grouped around the major axes of HEXAFLY-INT:
1. High-Speed Vehicle Concepts
2. High-Speed Aerodynamics
3. High-Temperature Materials and Structures
4. High-Speed Flight Control
5. High-Speed Environmental Impact
To realize this experimental flight test, different consecutive steps are planned each followed by a critical review together with international partners:
– updated of the mission profile based upon the feasibility study
– a detailed design of a high-speed experimental flight vehicle
– selection and manufacturing of ground-tested technologies and systems
– assembly, integration and testing of the experimental flight test vehicle
– identification and procurement of the most promising flight platform(s)
The design of the experimental high-speed cruise vehicle will be the main driver and challenge in this project with following scientific objectives:
- an aerodynamic balance at a cruise Mach number higher than 7
- an integrated conceptual design demonstrating a combined volumetric and aerodynamic efficiency
- making maximum use of developed advanced high-temperature materials
Call for proposal
FP7-AAT-2013-RTD-HIGH-SPEED
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
CP-FP - Small or medium-scale focused research projectCoordinator
75007 Paris
France
Participants (10)
31700 Blagnac
81043 Capua
91120 Palaiseau
80133 Napoli
80078 Pozzuoli (Na)
80040 Cercola Na
GU14 8LX Farnborough
1640 Rhode Saint Genese
70174 Stuttgart
51147 Koln
