Computing viscous flows

Although the goals and techniques of computational aerodynamics and computational fluid dynamics differ, advancement in the physical and mathematical aspects of the latter are required for progress in aerodynamic computation. The most attractive approach is the use of hybrid methods where both the equations treated and the solution algorithms reflect the local character of the flow. A working general turbulence model that is only peripherally related to the availability of large fast computers would provide a significant breakthrough in computational aerodynamics. There is no unanimity of opinion as to what may be the optimum algorithm or family of algorithms in the next decade. While it is premature to develop an optimum processor, such a machine dedicated to study the structure of solutions to the three-dimensional time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations and to the computability of turbulence would be very valuable.