Prof Filippone's holds the Chair in Computational Aerodynamics. His research expertise is on the aerodynamics for airborne systems and flight physics (acoustics, propulsion, environmental emissions), particularly rotor systems (helicopters, advanced vertical lift vehicles).  Specifically, he is interested in the development of new high-fidelity computational methods and their application to real-life cases.

His research group addresses the following technology areas:

1. Gas turbines aerothermodynamics: modelling of turbofans, turboprops, turboshafts; intake and degradation/erosion effects, flight into dust and volcanic ash; engine emission modelling (CO₂, CO, NO_x, UHC, particulate matter).
2. Engine intake protection systems for turboshaft engines: design and integration of complete array of separators (vortex tubes, inlet barrier filters, inertial separators), alongside integration of said systems with the engine (item 1). We have a bespoke experimental particle separator rig, for chemical/physical characterisation of particulate and detailed flow analysis.
3. Environmental emissions of fixed-wing aircraft: Full integration with navigation systems (ADS-B/Mode-S) and other data with engine emission modelling (item 1); advanced flight performance methods, flight into dust/volcanic ash (item 2). We analyse single flights, entire fleets, specific routes, regional transport airplanes, airfield challenges, and a variety of other environmental problems.
4. Aircraft acoustic emissions: We develop acoustic methods to simulate noise at all flight conditions; we can address problems such aerodynamic component noise, optimal inbound and outbound flight trajectories with multiple cost functions (noise, emissions, health value), acoustic systems evaluation, stochastic analysis. Our database consists of ~70 different airplanes and nearly as many aero engine models (with item 3).
5. Propellers/rotors/contra-rotating props: Aerodynamics, propulsion, acoustics, structural dynamics, via first principles and engineering optimisation (using various/non-gradient methods and post-optimal Pareto analysis). This is done in isolation or integrated with the full vehicle.
6. Aero mechanics of VTOL vehicles: We model rotor-wing interactions and multi-rotor interference via a combination of advanced aerodynamic modelling with is integrated with trim and flight mechanics (with item 5).
7. Aerospace software: we have a unique expertise in aerospace software development, with a track record of computer codes developed over several years by our research group from low-order methods to high-performance computing with field methods (RANS, LES), to design and testing of components, systems and complete flight vehicles.

Prof. Filippone is the author of 3 textbooks on aircraft and rotorcraft flight performance, published by Elsevier, AIAA, Cambridge University Press.  He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanics Engineers, a Chartered Engineer and a Member of the Vertical Flight Society.

He is an Associate Editor for Aerospace Science & Technology (Elsevier) and The RAeS Aeronautical Journal (Cambridge Univ. Press) and serves as a peer-reviewer for a number of funding councils in the UK and overseas.

• Computational Aerodynamics
• Aircraft Noise and Acoustics
• Flight Mechanics of Aircraft and Rotorcraft
• Aero Engine Intakes
• Flight, Power and Propulsion Systems
• Multi-disciplinary Modelling and Simulation
• High-Performance Computing & Software Engineering

Postgraduate research topics currently available are listed on the following Research theme(s):

• Aerospace Engineering