Contact Dr Alistair Saddington
Areas of expertise
- Aeronautical Systems
- Airworthiness
- Autonomous Systems
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Flight Physics
- Gas Turbines & Propulsion
- Vehicle Aerodynamics
- Weapons Engineering
Background
Dr Saddington is an experienced aerospace engineer applying his background in experimental aerodynamics to solving practical problems related to piloted and autonomous aircraft, guided weapons, and related systems. He has a doctorate in engineering (EngD) from Cranfield University for research on short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft propulsion integration.
Following industrial experience with Rolls-Royce (Bristol), where he worked on compressor aerodynamics for the Lockheed F-35 propulsion System, Dr Saddington joined Cranfield University in 1999 as a Lecturer, progressing to Senior Lecturer in 2010, and Reader in 2020.
Dr Saddington led the development of the University's part-time MSc programme in Military Aerospace and Airworthiness (MAA), which enrolled its first students in 2009. He held the inaugural position of Course Director from 2009 to 2017 and now acts in an advisory capacity to the current appointee.
Research opportunities
I am currently seeking highly motivated doctoral research students to work on aerodynamics-related topics applied to civilian and military aircraft as well as other engineering disciplines.
Current activities
Dr Saddington is a Reader in Aeromechanical Systems and the Deputy Director of Research for Cranfield Defence and Security (CDS).
Current and recent research projects include those funded by BAE Systems, Leonardo and the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). Dr Saddington's research is generally in the field of applied experimental aerodynamics with the main focus directed towards high-speed compressible flows.
Increasingly, however, Dr Saddington is using his expertise to develop research teams to provide solutions to complex multidisciplinary projects involving a range of aerospace engineering disciplines.
Clients
BAE Systems
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (dstl)
Leonardo
MBDA Missile Systems
Ministry of Defence (MOD)
Publications
Articles In Journals
- Green RN, McNaught KR & Saddington AJ (2022) Engineering maintenance decision-making with unsupported judgement under operational constraints, Safety Science, 153 (September) Article No. 105756.
- Bacci D & Saddington AJ (2022) Hilbert–Huang spectral analysis of cavity flows incorporating fluidic spoilers, AIAA Journal, Available online 7 October 2022 (1).
- Hamilton J, Galvão Wall D, Saddington AJ & Economou JT (2020) Hypersurface normalised gain-scheduled controller for a non-linear 6-DOF fast jet, Aerospace Science and Technology, 106 (November) Article No. 106155.
- Bacci D, Saddington AJ & Bray D (2019) The effect of angle of attack on the aeroacoustic environment within the weapons bay of a generic UCAV, Aerospace Science and Technology, 93 (October) Article No. 105315.
- Farnell GP, Saddington AJ & Lacey LJ (2019) A new systems engineering structured assurance methodology for complex systems, Reliability Engineering and System Safety, 183 (March) 298-310.
- Ehirim O, Knowles K, Saddington A, Finnis M & Lawson N (2019) On the near-wake of a ground-effect diffuser with passive flow control, International Journal of Automotive Technology, 20 (1) 11-23.
- Ehirim OH, Knowles K, Saddington AJ & Finnis MV (2018) Aerodynamics of a convex bump on a ground-effect diffuser, Journal of Fluids Engineering, 140 (9) Article No. 091102.
- Bacci D, Saddington AJ & Bray D (2018) Identification of the formation of resonant tones in compressible cavity flows, Aerospace Science and Technology, 77 (June) 320-331.
- Ehirim O, Knowles K, Saddington A & Finnis M (2018) Passive flow control on a ground-effect diffuser using an inverted wing, SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars - Mechanical Systems, 11 (4) Article No. 06-11-04-0023 273-296.
- Ehirim OH, Knowles K & Saddington AJ (2018) A review of ground-effect diffuser aerodynamics, Journal of Fluids Engineering, 141 (2) Article No. FE-17-1-1623.
- Khanal B, Saddington A & Knowles K (2017) An efficiently parallelized high-order aeroacoustics solver using a characteristic-based multi-block interface treatment and optimized compact finite differencing, Aerospace, 4 (2) Article No. 29.
- Gurav B, Economou J, Saddington A & Knowles K (2017) Multi-mode electric actuator dynamic modelling for missile fin control, Aerospace, 4 (2) Article No. 30.
- Saddington A, Thangamani V & Knowles K (2016) Comparison of passive flow control methods for a cavity in transonic flow, Journal of Aircraft, 53 (5) 1439-1447.
- Saddington A, Knowles K & Thangamani V (2016) Scale effects on the performance of sawtooth spoilers in transonic rectangular cavity flow, Experiments in Fluids, 57 (1) 2-12.
- Saddington AJ, Finnis MV & Knowles K (2015) The characterisation of a gust generator for aerodynamic testing, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 229 (7) 1214-1225.
- Thangamani V, Knowles K & Saddington AJ (2014) Effects of scaling on high subsonic cavity flow oscillations and control, Journal of Aircraft, 51 (2) 424-433.
- Knowles RD, Saddington AJ & Knowles K (2013) On the near wake of a Formula One front wheel, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, 227 (11) 1491-1502.
- Saddington AJ & Knowles K (2013) Turbulence measurements in a Short Take-Off Vertical-Landing fountain, Journal of Aircraft, 50 (2) 667-670.
- Khanal B, Knowles K & Saddington AJ (2012) Computational investigation of cavity flow control using a passive device, The Aeronautical Journal, 116 (1176) 153-174.
- Khanal B, Knowles K & Saddington AJ (2011) Mathematically consistent boundary conditions and turbulence matching at block interfaces for computational aeroacoustics, International Journal of Computational Fluid Dynamics, 25 (8) 449-468.
- Khanal B, Knowles K & Saddington AJ (2011) Computational study of flowfield characteristics in cavities with stores, Aeronautical Journal -New Series-, 115 (1172) 669-681.
- Richardson MA, Saddington AJ, Ritchie SA, Knowles K, Titterton DH, Sjoqvist L & Henriksson M (2011) Aero-optical effects of a directional infrared countermeasure pod in the transonic regime, AIAA Journal, 49 (7) 1551-1555.
- Saddington AJ, Knowles K & Cabrita PM (2009) Flow measurements in a short takeoff, vertical landing fountain : splayed jets, Journal of Aircraft, 46 (3) 874-882.
- Saddington AJ, Knowles K & Cabrita PM (2009) On the characteristics of a twin-jet STOVL fountain, The Aeronautical Journal, 113 (1140) 139-148.
- Saddington AJ, Knowles K & Cabrita PM (2008) Flow measurements in a Short Takeoff, Vertical Landing fountain : parallel jets, Journal of Aircraft, 45 (5) 1736-1743.
- Saddington A J, Knowles R D & Knowles K (2007) Laser doppler anemometry measurements in the near-wake of an isolated formula one wheel, Experiments in Fluids, 42 (5) 671-681.
- Knowles K, Saddington AJ & Badcock K (2006) Guest Editorial---Special Issue on Integrating Computational Fluid Dynamics and Experiments in Aerodynamics, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 220 (G6) I-II.
- Knowles K, Saddington A & Badcock K (2006) Special issue on integrating computational fluid dynamics and experiments in aerodynamics, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 220 (G6) i-ii.
- Knowles K & Saddington AJ (2006) A review of jet mixing enhancement for aircraft propulsion applications, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 220 (2) 103-127.
- Knowles RD, Finnis MV, Saddington AJ & Knowles K (2006) Planar visualization of vortical flows, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 220 (6) 619-627.
- Richardson M A, Dix J, Knowles K & Saddington A J (2005) Infra-red signature reduction study on a small-scale jet engine, The Aeronautical Journal, 109 (1092) 83-88.
- Saddington AJ & Knowles K (2005) A review of out-of-ground-effect propulsion-induced interference on STOVL aircraft, Progress in Aerospace Sciences, 41 (3-4) 175-191.
- Cabrita P M, Saddington A J & Knowles K (2005) PIV measurements in a twin-jet STOVL fountain flow, The Aeronautical Journal, 109 (1100) 439-449.
- Saddington AJ, Lawson NJ & Knowles K (2004) An experimental and numerical investigation of under-expanded turbulent jets, The Aeronautical Journal, 108 (1081) 145-152.
- Saddington AJ, Knowles K & Wong RYT (2002) Numerical modelling of mixing in jets from castellated nozzles, Aeronautical Journal -New Series-, 106 (1066) 643-652.
- Saddington A J, Knowles K & Wong R Y T (2002) Numerical modelling of mixing in underexpanded jets from castellated nozzles, The Aeronautical Journal, 106 (1066) 643-652.
- Saddington A J & Knowles K (2001) Jet/intake interference in short take off, vertical landing aircraft, Journal of Aircraft, 38 (5) 924-931.
- Saddington A J & Knowles K (1999) Mutual interference between jets and intakes in STOVL aircraft, Aeronautical Journal -New Series-, 103 (1024) 281-286.
Conference Papers
- Bacci D & Saddington AJ (2022) Exploring angle-of-attack effects in the aero-acoustic response of a weapons bay at transonic and supersonic Mach number. In: 28th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics 2022 Conference, Southampton, 14-17 June 2022.
- Knowles K, Bacci D, Saddington AJ, Newby B & Taylor NJ (2017) Controlling unsteady cavity flows using internal structures. In: 52nd 3AF International Conference on Applied Aerodynamics, 2017, Lyon, 27-29 March 2017.
- Bacci D, Saddington A & Bray D (2016) Wavelet analysis of complex geometry transonic cavity flows. In: AIAA Flow Conference, Washington DC, 13-17 June 2016.
- Larabi A, Knowles K & Saddington AJ (2014) Study of Asymmetric Vortices over a Slender Body of Revolution at High Angles of Attack. In: RAeS Applied Aerodynamics Conference, Bristol, 22 July 2014.
- Thangamani V, Knowles K & Saddington AJ (2013) An investigation of passive control methods for a large scale cavity model in high subsonic flow. In: 19th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference, 2013, Berlin, 27-29 May 2013.
- Thangamani V, Knowles K & Saddington AJ (2012) The effects of scaling on high subsonic cavity flow oscillations and control. In: 18th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference (33rd AIAA Aeroacoustics Conference) 2012, Colorado Springs, CO, 4-6 June 2012.
- Khanal B, Knowles K & Saddington AJ (2010) Computation of Automobile Cavity Tones Using a New Block Interface Treatment. In: ETMM8: 8th International ERCOFTAC Symposium on Engineering Turbulence Modelling and Measurements, Marseille, 9 June 2010.
- Khanal B, Knowles K & Saddington AJ (2009) Study of Cavity Unsteady Flowfield. In: 4th International Symposium on Integrating CFD and Experiments in Aerodynamics, Sint-Genesius-Rode, 14 September 2009.
- Khanal B, Knowles K & Saddington A (2009) Computational study of cavity flowfield at transonic speeds. In: 47th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Orlando, Florida, 5-8 January 2009.
- Saddington AJ, Knowles K & Cabrita PM (2008) On the Characteristics of a Twin-Jet STOVL Fountain. In: International Powered Lift Conference, London, 22 July 2008.
- Saddington AJ, Knowles K & Cabrita PM (2008) Turbulence Measurements in a STOVL Fountain. In: 7th International ERCOFTAC Symposium on Engineering Turbulence Modelling and Measurements, Limassol, 4 June 2008.
- Khanal B, Knowles K, Saddington A & Obayashi S (2008) Computational aeroacoustic study of a landing gear. In: 5th International Conference on Flow Dynamics, Sendai, 17 November 2008.
- Saddington AJ, Knowles K & Cabrita PM (2007) Flow visualization and measurements in a short take-off, vertical landing fountain flow. In: 45th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibition, 2007, Reno, Nevada, 8-11 January 2007.
- Bray D, Knowles K, Saddington AJ, Ritchie SA & Finnis MV (2006) 3-D Visualisation of Rectangular Cavity Flows at Transonic Speeds. In: 12th International Symposium on Flow Visualization, 2006, Goettingen, 10 September 2006.
- Saddington AJ, Cabrita PM & Knowles K (2005) Large-scale Instabilities in a {STOVL} Upwash Fountain. In: ERCOFTAC International Symposium on Engineering Turbulence Modelling and Measurements (ETMM6), Sardinia, 23-25 May 2005.
- Bowdrey RJ, Knowles K & Saddington AJ (2005) Experimental and Computational Studies of Unsteady Flow Features of Upwash Fountains from Twin Impinging Jets. In: AeroTech Congress and Exhibition, Grapevine, TX, 3-6 October 2005.
- Knowles K, Saddington AJ & Cabrita PM (2005) Unsteady Characteristics of Twin Impinging Jet Fountain Flows. In: RTO-MP-AVT-123 - Flow-Induced Unsteady Loads and the Impact on Military Applications, Budapest, 25 April 2005.
- Knowles RD, Finnis MV, Saddington AJ & Knowles K (2005) Novel Post-Processing Techniques for Vortical Flows. In: Second International Symposium on Integrating CFD and Experiments, Shrivenham, Wilts, 5 September 2005.
- Dix J, Saddington AJ, Knowles K & Richardson MA (2004) Infra-red Signature Reduction on a Small-scale Turbojet Engine. In: RAeS Aerospace Aerodynamics Research Conference 2004, London, 14 September 2004.
- Cabrita PM, Saddington AJ & Knowles K (2004) PIV Measurements in a Twin-impinging Jet Fountain Flow. In: RAeS Aerospace Aerodynamics Research Conference, London, 14 September 2004.
- Hanbury-Chatten E, Knowles K & Saddington AJ (2004) Development of a Fixed Wing Flying Test Platform for Future [MAV] Systems. In: 1st European Micro Air Vehicle Conference and Flight Competition - EMAV 2004, Braunschweig, 12 July 2004.
- Cabrita PM, Saddington AJ & Knowles K (2004) Development of a Fountain Flow from Twin Impinging Compressible Jets. In: 11th International Symposium on Flow Visualization (ISFV), Notre Dame, IN, 8 August 2004.
- Saddington AJ, Knowles K & Lawson NJ (2003) The Synergy of CFD and Experiments in Aerodynamics Research at Cranfield University, Shrivenham. In: 1st International Symposium on Integrating CFD and Experiments in Aerodynamics, Glasgow, 8 September 2003.
- Knowles K & Saddington AJ (2002) Modelling and Experiments on Underexpanded Turbulent Jet Mixing. In: 5th International Symposium on Engineering Turbulence Modelling and Measurements, Mallorca, 16 September 2002.
- Knowles RD, Saddington AJ & Knowles K (2002) Simulation and Experiments on an Isolated Road Wheel Rotating in Ground Contact. In: 4th MIRA International Vehicle Aerodynamics Conference, Warwick, 16 October 2002.
- Knowles RD, Saddington AJ & Knowles K (2002) On the near wake of rotating, 40%-scale champ car wheels. In: SAE Motorsports Engineering Conference and Exhibition 2002, Indiana, 2-5 December 2002.
- Saddington AJ, Lawson NJ & Knowles K (2002) Simulation and Experiments on Under-expanded Turbulent Jets. In: CEAS Aerospace Aerodynamics Research Conference, Cambridge, 10 June 2002.
- Saddington AJ, Lawson NJ & Knowles K (2002) Numerical Predictions and Experiments on Supersonic Jet Mixing from Castellated Nozzles. In: 23rd Congress of International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, Toronto, 8 September 2002.
- Cabrita PM, Saddington AJ & Knowles K (2002) Unsteady Features of Twin-jet (STOVL) Ground Effects. In: International Powered Lift Conference 2002, Williamsburg, VA, 5-7 November 2002.
- Saddington AJ & Knowles K (2000) Comparison of Jet-induced Lift Loss for Single and Co-annular Jets. In: 22nd Congress of International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, Harrogate, 28 August 2000.
- Knowles K & Saddington AJ (2000) V/STOL Aircraft Design with Joint Strike Fighter Applications - an international short course for industry. In: 4th European Workshop on Aircraft Design Education (EWADE 2000), Turin, 8 May 2000.
- Knowles K & Saddington AJ (2000) Jet Ground Effects with Coaxial Nozzles. In: International Powered Lift Conference, Oct. 31- Nov. 1, 2000, Arlington, VA,, 31 October 2000.
- Knowles K, Myszko M, Wilson MJ, Saddington AJ & Kirkham L (1995) Current Jet Aerodynamics Research at RMCS (poster). In: RAeS Aerodynamics Research Forum, London, 5 January 1995.
- Vagias I, Richardson MA & Saddington AJ Close air support thermo-optical rocket 70 ({CASTOR}-70) preliminary concept development. In: Weapon Systems & Technology Conference, Defence Academy of the UK, 11-15 October 2010.
- Saddington AJ Mass Flow Ratio Effects on Jet/Intake Interference in {STOVL} Aircraft. In: 38th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, NV, 10-13 January 2000.
