RESEARCHERS’ SUPER POWER

While ERDC’s history with supercomputers dates to 1989, it entered a new era when it began managing the DOD’s High-Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP).

The HPCMP was established in 1990 to advance the computational capabilities available to DOD science and technology researchers. In 2011, the program’s operation transferred from the Office of the Secretary of Defense to the Assistant Secretary of the Army, with management moving to ERDC.

Today, the HPCMP‘s five DOD Supercomputing Resource Centers, including one at ERDC, are spread across the country and deliver an aggregate of 4.5 billion processor hours of computing power each year.

This high-powered computing capability bolsters countless ERDC research projects, providing access to insight that would otherwise be too costly, dangerous, or time-intensive to obtain. The program also supports ERDC’s Engineered Resilient Systems Research and Development Area, which allows the DOD to develop next-generation platforms and capabilities.

Powered by ERDC supercomputers, Engineered Resilient Systems (ERS) enhance the DOD’s acquisition process by enabling high-quality and well-thought-out acquisition decisions. ERS combines advanced engineering tools and techniques with unmatched high-performance computing to significantly amplify design options during the early stages of the acquisition process. This approach optimizes design choices, supporting the DOD in creating and sustaining effective combat systems for evolving military operations. ERS spans all DOD services.

To safeguard its vast computing resources, and the research they enable, ERDC has developed world-class cybersecurity capabilities. This expertise spans assessments, cyber-physical systems, analytics and defensive capabilities. ERDC’s Red Team, certified by the National Security Agency, operates as an adversary, identifying vulnerabilities so networks can be fortified against threats. ERDC ensures cybersecurity for research elements across the Defense Department, solidifying the DOD’s cyber resilience.

The Defense Research and Engineering Network (DREN) offers a high-speed, low-latency nationwide computer network, connecting scientists and engineers with geographically dispersed high-performance computing sites as part of the HPCMP. Supporting various defense domains, the DREN fosters physics-based software applications to streamline acquisition processes for military aircraft, naval ships, ground vehicles and radio frequency antenna systems, bolstering cost-effective virtual prototyping and analysis.

ERDC’s Dynamic Immersive Virtual Environment (DIVE) lab is a cutting-edge facility that leverages augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) to transform civil works and military research. DIVE employs AR/VR gear, enabling engineers, scientists and stakeholders to immerse themselves in 3D environments. This innovation enhances decision making, fosters expert collaboration, and revolutionizes training and simulation. By integrating AR/VR technology, ERDC is advancing the realm of digital twins, positioning itself at the forefront of this transformative revolution.

ERDC’s modeling legacy, which dates to 1931, thrives with advanced computational tools supported by HCPMP. Verified numerical models fuel capabilities, such as Computational Fluid Dynamics for blast load comprehension and Finite Element Method for dynamic structural response. ERDC has pioneered Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) research, strengthening numerical analysis, scientific computing, engineering mechanics and mathematical modeling. FSI simulation is reinforced by specialized experimental research, elevating measurement accuracy and expanding understanding of intricate fluid-structure processes.

The types of problems faced today go well beyond traditional data analytics tools. Artificial intelligence and machine learning have quickly become critical data analytics tools that require the use of HPC. ERDC researchers can now go into the data and harvest insights that were unavailable using traditional methods.

ERDC was pivotal in modernizing the iconic B-52 Stratofortress through supercomputing expertise. Facing aging engines and limited parts challenges, the Air Force’s Commercial Engine Replacement Program aimed to upgrade engines and ensure the aircraft’s longevity. Leveraging ERDC’s supercomputing power, a virtual ecosystem was created that integrated design and visualization tools. ERDC’s efforts enabled rapid testing of engine prototypes, leading to a suitable replacement for continued B-52 service beyond 2050.