Defense & Aerospace

Applications of CFD Simulation in the Defense Sector

Faced with the technological challenges and costs associated with testing campaigns and prototyping—particularly significant in the defense and aerospace sector — Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is an essential tool for design and innovation in this industry. OptiFluides’ expertise includes both dimensioning studies and to the development of models and codes specific to this cutting-edge industry. Below are some examples of CFD applications for defense and aerospace.

Vehicle design and optimization

• Aerodynamics of aircraft, spacecraft and UAVs: CFD simulates the airflow around military aircraft, helping to improve lift-to-drag ratio, maneuverability and optimize fuel consumption. These models help to optimize airfoil profiles, fuselage shape and stabilizers, by simulating flight conditions at different altitudes and speeds. The simulation of super and hypersonic flight cases is particularly crucial, to accurately integrate the effects of shockwaves, turbulence and intense heat generation.
• Ship and submarine hydrodynamics: By simulating the flow around submarine hulls, it is possible to characterize and reduce hydrodynamic resistance, improve stability and minimize submarine acoustic noise (generated in particular by turbulence), essential for stealth operations.
• Military land vehicles: CFD simulation helps optimize the aerodynamic performance, fuel consumption and thermal management of military armored and transport vehicles.

Enhancement of Weapon Systems and Ballistic Trajectories

• Ballistic simulation: To predict projectile trajectories and, more importantly, to optimize the accuracy, range, and stability of weapon systems (missiles, shells, bullets), CFD simulation allows rapid, cost-effective testing of multiple geometric and ballistic modifications under different atmospheric conditions, where physical tests are longer, more complex, and expensive.
• Missile guidance: CFD simulations optimize missile guidance systems by taking into account aerodynamic forces and environmental conditions. Fluid-structure interaction can also help determine the impact of environmental conditions on the physical integrity of projectiles and guidance systems.

Improvement of Propulsion System Performance

• Jet engine optimization: improving and optimizing jet engine efficiency is one of the applications of CFD, whether by simulating airflow inside engines, or component cooling and lubrication.
• Combustion engines and rockets: Simulating combustion processes in rocket or turbine engines helps improve propulsion system performance and reduce pollutant emissions. It is also possible to optimize the geometry of rocket nozzles to enhance engine thrust and control while reducing thermal constraints.
• Submarine propulsion systems: Optimizing submarine propulsion system design to minimize water resistance and acoustic signatures.
• Reduction of physical testing: Performing virtual tests during the design phase, thereby reducing the need for costly wind tunnel or real-world (flight, navigation) tests. This accelerates the development cycle for new military and aerospace vehicles while lowering costs.

Thermal Management and Cooling of military and spatial equipment

• Thermal management of electronic systems: In combat zones or space, human lives often depend on the integrity and proper functioning of electronic systems. Their failure or overheating can have dramatic consequences. CFD simulation can optimize the cooling (or heating!) of sensitive electronic systems used in military vehicles, preventing degradation while minimizing energy consumption.
• Cooling of high-energy weapons: Weapons such as lasers and electromagnetic cannons require optimized cooling systems to maintain their performance. When a fine, detailed optimization is needed, simulation often proves to be the best solution.

Analysis of Flows in Internal Systems

• Ventilation and pressurization systems: CFD simulation can model airflow in pressurized cabins of aircraft and spacecraft to optimize passenger comfort and ensure even air distribution, while avoiding risks of anoxia and asphyxia.
• Fluid management in space: One of the advantages of models is the ability to freely adjust gravitational acceleration, which is much more complex in physical tests. Whether designing a system to operate on Earth, in space, or on Jupiter, CFD simulation helps model fluid behaviors (fuel, coolant) under these specific conditions, allowing the design of more efficient tanks and transfer systems.

Analysis of Environmental Conditions in Critical Zones

• Impact of weather conditions: Through CFD simulation, it is possible to assess the impact of wind, rain, and even sandstorms on military and space equipment and vehicles, helping to anticipate climate challenges.
• Simulation of flows in urban areas: CFD can aid in operational planning by modeling airflow, sound propagation, or particle dispersion in complex urban environments.
• Dispersion of toxic gases: Simulating the spread of gases and chemical substances in the event of NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) attacks, aiding in the development of containment plans, response strategies, and impact analyses.