FlightStream is capable of analyzing airflow from subsonic to supersonic speeds, incorporating compressible effects and a specialized capability for surface vorticity. It builds on the advantages of panel method flow solvers by integrating contemporary computational methods, offering a rapid solver that effectively addresses complex aerodynamic challenges.
Altair, a company associated with computational intelligence, has announced its acquisition of Research in Flight, the developer of FlightStream. This software is widely used in the aerospace and defence sectors and is expanding into the marine, energy, turbomachinery, and automotive industries.
FlightStream excels in capturing airflow dynamics from subsonic to supersonic speeds, including compressible effects and a distinctive surface vorticity feature. It builds upon traditional panel method flow solvers by incorporating advanced computational techniques to deliver a fast, efficient solver that effectively manages complex aerodynamic phenomena.
James R. Scapa, founder and CEO of Altair, mentioned that their advanced computational intelligence solutions have recently driven the company’s growth in aerospace, defence, and related industries significantly. He explained that adding FlightStream will enhance their abilities even more, offering a sophisticated and efficient way to address these fields’ increasing and complex needs, including urban air mobility and eVTOL sectors.
FlightStream enables quick analysis of unconventional aircraft designs, including both powered and unpowered configurations. It features advanced surface vorticity, flow-separation, and viscous analysis capabilities enriched with integral boundary layer modelling. This integration allows for detailed viscous effect analyses, fostering thorough aerodynamic performance evaluations vital for design optimization.
Vivek Ahuja, the co-founder of Research in Flight, expressed his honour in their role as a crucial tool for aircraft designers. He mentioned that by joining Altair, they aim to extend their influence and connect with a broader network of engineers who require advanced, effective tools to accelerate design processes.
Research in Flight was also co-founded by Roy Hartfield, who has dedicated over 30 years to aerodynamics, propulsion, statistical analysis, and aircraft research. Hartfield serves as a professor of aerospace engineering at the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering at Auburn University.
FlightStream is approved for use within the United States Air Force network and is employed at NASA’s Ames and Langley Research Centers, as well as by the U.S. Army. It will be incorporated into Altair’s HyperWorks design and simulation platform and made available through Altair Units.
