Hypersonic Wake Signature Modeling for Electro-Optical Infrared Sensor Simulation Using Multi-Domain Physics

Detection and tracking of hypersonic vehicles is the foundation of counter-hypersonic systems. Traditionally, this is accomplished using reflected energy methods, such as radar, while comparatively short-range scenarios, such as threat detection and target identification, employ electro-optical infrared sensors (EOIR). The development of these sensors requires extensive physical testing to ensure functionality in an operational scenario. Flight testing for space-based sensor systems is expensive while ground testing cannot thoroughly imitate operational environments. As a result, modeling and simulation (M&S) has become a key enabling technology during development of sensing systems, reducing both design and verification costs. We focus on the M&S of EOIR systems to increase model fidelity through the inclusion of wake effects. Inclusion of wake effects enables a fully coupled workflow using three commercial software tools: multi-domain mission modeling software (Ansys Systems Tool Kit), a fluid dynamics package (Ansys Fluent), and optical simulation software (Ansys Speos) for the simulation of the EOIR sensor return from hypersonic objects. The present work aims to prove the feasibility of these complex and innovative workflows using the tool chaining of state-of-the-art M&S tools.