A -- Boundary Layer Transition (BOLT) Experiments

The Air Force Research Laboratory's AF Office of Scientific Research (we, us, our, AFRL, and AFOSR) seeks unclassified proposals that do not contain proprietary information to provide advances in our understanding of the boundary layer transition physics and transition front evolution on a low-curvature concave surface with a swept leading edge at high Mach numbers. This project will provide opportunities for a new generation of US scientists and engineers to address Air Force basic research needs and extend the research capabilities of the Air Force. The project will consist of wind-tunnel testing, computational analysis, and a flight experiment. The resulting knowledge, modeling, and simulation capability born out of this effort is of great importance for future hypersonic vehicles because it will enable more accurate predictions of transition behavior. This project is to be carried out in collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RQ) and the Australian Defense Science and Technology Group (DSTG). We can only make an award to an educational institution in the United States (US) as defined by 10 USC 2194 for this competition. We anticipate not more than $2 million in total funding will be made available to fund one (1) award of three (3) years duration in the form of a grant or cooperative agreement. Applicants must demonstrate competency in hypersonic aerodynamics and hypersonic wind-tunnel testing. Further, proposers should be recognized by their peer community for sound technical contributions to the field of hypersonic aerodynamics. A team that includes expertise in theoretical or numerical analysis is also expected. A team of one PI with one co-investigator is encouraged. The full announcement and application instructions may be found at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=291643. All applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.