UCalgary to lead research advancing Canada’s hypersonic technology capabilities

The University of Calgary is set to lead a new Canadian research network focused on advancing modelling, simulation and design capabilities for hypersonic vehicles, supported by $1 million in funding over two years from the Department of National Defence (DND). 

The project is one of seven research micro-networks funded across Canada through DND’s Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program. The initiative brings together academic and industry expertise to enhance Canada’s defence and security capacity, including full-spectrum sovereign missile capabilities. Hypersonic systems are pivotal to these DND goals due to their speed, manoeuverability and flight profiles which compress detection and interception timelines. 

The project is led by Dr. Artem Korobenko, PhD, professor and Schulich Research Chair in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the Schulich School of Engineering, in collaboration with co-principal investigator Dr. Schuyler Hinman, BSc (Eng)’13, PhD’17, PEng, and industry partners that include North Vector Dynamics, Martec Limited, NordSpace and Randing Research Corporation.

The research will focus primarily on computational modelling and simulation of hypersonic glide vehicles, which travel through the atmosphere at speeds exceeding Mach 5 while generating aerodynamic lift and retaining the ability to manoeuvre during flight.

“At these speeds, predicting vehicle behaviour becomes an inherently multidisciplinary problem,” says Korobenko. “Extreme aerodynamic heating, strong shock waves, turbulent flow, thermochemical effects and structural response can interact with one another and significantly influence vehicle performance.” 

The UCalgary-led team will develop multi-fidelity computational methods aimed at improving the ability to predict these physical phenomena and, ultimately, support the simulation and design of hypersonic vehicles.

“At Mach 5 and beyond, this is no longer simply an aerodynamics problem,” says Korobenko. “Aerodynamics, heat transfer, thermochemistry and structural mechanics become strongly coupled. Our goal is to develop predictive computational tools that allow us to understand these interactions with greater confidence.” 

The project combines the university’s expertise in hypersonic technology, aerospace vehicle design, aerodynamics and propulsion, and computational fluid dynamics with complementary capabilities and expertise from Canadian industry. Through this collaboration, the network will work to advance research toward higher levels of technological readiness while developing Canadian expertise, computational tools and highly qualified personnel in the hypersonics field.

The project further establishes Calgary as a centre for advanced aerospace research and innovation.

“Calgary has a rapidly growing aerospace and defence innovation ecosystem,” says Korobenko. “By connecting university research with Canadian industry, projects such as this can help build the expertise and technology base needed for long-term growth in the sector.

“This award strengthens the bridge between Canadian research, Canadian industry and Canadian-controlled defence intellectual property.” 

The research also contributes to broader efforts to strengthen the country’s domestic capability in strategically important aerospace and defence technologies. Building strong national expertise allows Canada to better align with broader international initiatives like NORAD Modernization.

“For Canada to work effectively with its allies, it needs strong domestic expertise that can support sovereign capability, strengthen national resilience, and contribute to the scientific foundation required for future air and missile defence,” says Korobenko. “This project is about developing that capability here in Canada through research, industry collaboration and the training of the next generation of researchers and engineers.”