Research to application: Supercomputing trends for the 90's - Opportunities for interdisciplinary computations

The progression of supercomputing is reviewed from the point of view of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and multidisciplinary problems impacting the design of advanced aerospace configurations are addressed. The application of full potential and Euler equations to transonic and supersonic problems in the 70s and early 80s is outlined, along with Navier-Stokes computations widespread during the late 80s and early 90s. Multidisciplinary computations currently in progress are discussed, including CFD and aeroelastic coupling for both static and dynamic flexible computations, CFD, aeroelastic, and controls coupling for flutter suppression and active control, and the development of a computational electromagnetics technology based on CFD methods. Attention is given to computational challenges standing in a way of the concept of establishing a computational environment including many technologies. 40 refs