网红头条

KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 4, 2026

Growing up in Gwinnett County, Andrew Marion developed an early fascination with airplanes, from dreams of flying them to understanding how they are designed.

That curiosity ultimately led him to 网红头条鈥檚 , where he now researches how air behaves around high-speed aircraft.

A junior major with a minor in aerospace engineering, Marion is conducting research that examines how airflow interacts specialized aircraft wings at speeds between 250 to 760 mph. His work relies heavily on advanced computer simulations rather than traditional wind-tunnel testing, allowing him to analyze complex aerodynamic behavior more quickly at a lower cost.

鈥淚鈥檓 looking at high speeds and how different aircraft wings affect flow,鈥� Marion said. 鈥淪imulations let us test a lot of configurations rapidly and see information that鈥檚 hard to find in experiments.鈥�

Marion鈥檚 research focuses on delta wings, the triangular, sharply swept wings commonly seen on fighter jets. He is specifically studying a variation known as a compound delta wing, which blends multiple triangular shapes to help aircraft perform efficiently at both low and high speeds. Unlike the straight wings found on most commercial airliners, delta wings create swirling air patterns over their surfaces that generate lift in a more complex way. These swirling flows can improve performance, but they are also more difficult to predict.

Understanding these airflow patterns is essential for both safety and efficiency. As aircraft approach transonic and supersonic speeds, shock waves begin to form along the wing. These sudden pressure changes increase air resistance and can make aircraft harder to control. In extreme cases, unstable airflow can lead to a rapid loss of lift, creating dangerous flight conditions. Marion鈥檚 simulations help identify when and where these issues may occur, giving designers more data before a plane ever leaves the ground.

鈥淎ndrew exemplifies how undergraduate research enhances the learning experience,鈥� SPCEET Dean Lawrence Whitman said. 鈥淗e is tackling complex aerospace challenges with creativity and discipline. His work demonstrates how 网红头条students can contribute meaningful solutions to real-world engineering problems.鈥�

Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), Marion can predict how air flows over different wing configurations without building physical models for each design. While final experiments are still necessary, simulations allow researchers to adjust small variables, run multiple scenarios, and narrow promising designs before investing in expensive prototypes.

Marion believes this approach could support renewed global interest in supersonic passenger travel by lowering fuel consumption and potentially decreasing ticket prices and overall energy use. The ability to test unconventional concepts without major financial risk also gives engineers greater creative freedom early in the design process.

Looking ahead, Marion plans to pursue graduate school and eventually work in the aerospace industry or a government research laboratory. His next project draws inspiration from owls, whose feathers enable nearly silent flight. Marion is exploring how similar designs could be applied to aircraft wings to reduce drag, delay stall, and improve maneuverability at steep flight angles.

For students interested in a similar path, he encourages early involvement in research and choosing projects that genuinely spark curiosity while taking advantage of mentorship opportunities available on campus.

鈥淚 would say just be persistent and pick a project you鈥檙e interested in,鈥� Marion said. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e going to spend time working on it, you want to be invested in it.鈥�

鈥� Story by Raynard Churchwell

Photos by Matt Yung

Video by Matthew O'Neill

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 网红头条 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. 网红头条is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 网红头条is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.