As modern weapon systems move to smaller weapons to minimize collateral damage, aerodynamic forces play an increasingly large role.  Unsteady forces have been shown to impact the trajectory of stores (weapons) released from aircraft.  ITAC has demonstrated this effect for very light weapons, and developed an innovative, physics-based analysis procedure that predict the effects of flow unsteadiness on store separation.  ITAC's solution costs far less than that of a straight forward CFD approach when many weapons needs to be certified for a given aircraft.

ITAC's OPIS is a result of research and development program conducted to reduce degradation of a High Energy Laser (HEL) beam propagating through aircraft-induced optical disturbance.  A system based on a natural flow resonance is developed for a feed-forward adaptive optic correction of the laser beam propagation. The natural resonance of a special-geometry cavity was exploited to obtain clear Rossiter tones.

An important measure of performance for a tactical laser system is the intensity of the beam on a target.  The performance of such a system is degraded substantially by index of refraction variations in a boundary layer or shear layer due to flow turbulence.  ITAC developed and successfully demonstrated arrays of small cavities and vortex generator arrangements to substantially reduce aero-optic distortion of various flows including that over a turret.  Additionally, in the process of gaining a better understanding, a new [patented] tool called Malley probe was developed to better quantify aero-optic distortions.  Malley probe was developed by ITAC , in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame.

Powered Resonance Tube (PRT) is a device which converts steady high-pressure air source into an unsteady signal of pressure (acoustic) wave that can be used as an actuator for flow control.  ITAC has conducted extensive computational, experimental, and theoretical studies on the PRT, and developed a powerful PRT variant capability with greater flexibility using the Helmholtz geometry concept.  Studies to date show the great power of a combined experimental, computational, and theoretical synergy.

Given recent advances in fluid dynamics, advanced materials, and micro-electromechanical (MEMS) technologies, virtual aerodynamic shaping- the use of active flow control devices to significantly alter the flowfield in lieu of modification of the physical shape of the body- is now an achievable goal.  ITAC successfully demonstrated strong control authority on a flight demonstration using an open-loop active flow control system.

For the design and development of efficient, environmentally acceptable airplanes, significant reduction in the aircraft noise is required.  ITAC successfully demonstrated the use of small cavities, vortex generators, and tabs for reducing broadband subsonic jet noise in a NASA program.