Efficient and trustworthy CFD simulation of hypersonic glide vehicles under dynamic control

About the Project

Supervisory Team: Ralf Deiterding

Hypersonic glide vehicles operate in an extreme aerothermal environment and are genuinely difficult to control. While evaluating control methodologies currently relies on precomputed aerodynamic databases, this project will extend and directly couple our inhouse predictive, non-equilibrium aerothermodynamic overset strand-mesh computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver with the control methodology.

Our AMROC software infrastructure currently provides a validated, dynamically adaptive strand-mesh solver for high-temperature gas dynamics of axisymmetric bodies. Here, we will generalize AMROC’s automatic three-dimensional strand-meshing capability and apply it to the simulation of prototypical hypersonic glide vehicles, including models with active control effectors, and then couple this 3D CFD solver with a six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) flight dynamics and control model. To showcase the integrated capability, realistic constraints on aerothermodynamic heat loading, flap deflection, and thruster engagement will be considered.

This project will be carried out under the UK Hypersonics Doctoral Network, which has been supported by the Ministry of Defence and EPSRC to build the necessary expertise to develop next-generation hypersonic vehicles. You're expected to attend cohorting and training activities in the UK Hypersonics Doctoral Network, led by the University of Oxford and Imperial College. Substantial training in fundamentals of hypersonics, hypersonic vehicle design, ground testing and numerical simulation will be provided as part of the UK Hypersonics Doctoral Network.

Entry requirements

You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.

Essential skills:

• training in compressible flows and flight mechanics
• experience in numerical modelling and simulation
• Programming and development experience in C/C++ and/or Fortran

Students must be citizens of one of the AUKUS alliance nations (United Kingdom, Australia and the United States of America), and should not have dual nationality with a country on the UK Government's list of countries subject to trade sanctions, arms embargoes and other trade restrictions.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees will be paid and you'll receive an enhanced stipend (living allowance) per year for up to 4 years.

This project is funded by the Ministry of Defence Hypersonics Technologies & Capability Development Framework (HTCDF), through the UK Hypersonics Doctoral Training Network (UKHDTN) management by the University Oxford. Individual contract between University Oxford and University of Southampton.

How to apply

Apply now

You need to:

• choose programme type (Research), 2026/27, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
• select Full time or Part time
• search for programme PhD Engineering & the Environment (7175)
• add name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application

Applications should include:

• your CV (resumé)
• 2 academic references
• degree transcripts and certificates to date
• English language qualification (if applicable)

Contact us

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

If you have a general question, feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk.

Project leader

For an initial conversation, R.Deiterding@soton.ac.uk.