In the aviation field there is great interest in high-speed vehicle design. Hypersonic vehicles represent the next frontier of passenger transportation to and from space. However, several design issues must be addressed, including vehicle aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics, aeroshape design optimization, aerodynamic heating, boundary layer transition, and so on. This book contains valuable contributions focusing on hypervelocity aircraft design. Topics covered include hypersonic aircraft aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic design, especially aeroshape design optimization, computational fluid dynamics, and scramjet propulsion. The book also discusses high-speed flow issues and the challenges to achieving the dream of affordable hypersonic travel. It is hoped that the information contained herein will allow for the development of safe and efficient hypersonic vehicles.

Jointly organised by the European Commission and the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology in Spain (CDTI), the Aeronautics Days sixth edition – ‘Aerodays 2011’ – was held on 30th - 31st March and 1st April 2011 in the Palacio Municipal de Congresos of Madrid. It brought together 1400 delegates – policy makers, aerospace manufacturers, engineers, researchers and customers – to report and discuss the challenges and solutions for creating greener, safer, secure and competitive solutions for aeronautics and air transport in Europe. Highlights included ‘Flightpath 2050’, Europe’s vision for future aviation. The present book, published by the European Commission, brings together about 80 papers selected by a Scientific Advisory Committee with the intention to make broadly known the main themes and issues addressed on the occasion of this Convention. Given the strategic importance of the latter, these post-conference proceedings constitute a reference document providing an overview on aeronautical research within Europe more particularly devoted to Commission supported programmes and networks.