AbstractThis paper is a broad overview of techniques in modelling of geometries and simulation of high-speed flow fields by explicit algorithms as applied to advanced aerospace vehicles, performed at the NASA Langley Research Center by the author. Software developed by the author for generating surface geometries and field grids for blended wing-body geometries is described. An explicit finite- volume algorithm for the solution of highly supersonic flow fields for aerospace vehicles is presented, together with results obtained from its applications. The use of these algorithms as analysis tools in related interdisciplinary areas, such as aerodynamic optimization and sensitivity analysis, is described.