Introduction: Combustion Modeling and Large Eddy Simulation: Development and Validation Needs for Gas Turbines

This issue of the AIAA Journal provides the second of two special sections that focus on recent advances in the area of combustion modeling and large eddy simulation (LES) for gas turbine combustors. Emphasis has been placed on validation requirements and future development and research needs to advance the fidelity and predictive accuracy of LES at device-relevant conditions. This project follows up on well-attended invited sessions addressing these crucial and timely issues at the 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting (ASM) at Reno, Nevada, on 10-11 January 2004. The sessions were organized by the AIAA Terrestrial Energy Systems Technical Committee (TC), and by the AIAA Fluid Dynamics TC Working Group on LES. Eight papers selected from the invited sessions, and two other separately invited papers were assembled to provide a state-of-the-art perspective from both the fundamental and applied viewpoints.