Abstract: There are many new problems of aeroelasticity which are introduced by the novel concepts and system characteristics in the design process of hypersonic vehicles. An overview of the studies on aeroelasticity of hypersonic vehicles is presented here. Special attention is paid to the following areas: the compute method of unsteady aerodynamics in hypersonic flow; aeroelastic characteristics with temperature effects; panel flutter in hypersonic flow; thrust induced instability of aeroelasticity; the coupling problem of aerodynamics, propulsion and aeroelasticity; and also the active control methods used in the solutions of these problems. Finally, based on the progress of existing research in these areas, some key issues are introduced which deserve more attention of the researchers’ for solution. These include: experimental research on hypersonic aeroelasticity, effect of mass variety on the characteristics of aeroelasticity which is caused by the consumption of the fuels, and integration analysis of aeroelasticity and flight dynamics.

Key words: aeroelasticity, flutter, hypersonic aerodynamic, aerodynamic heating, vibration, aircraft propulsion, hypersonic