In recent years, the basic study and concepts of the interaction between radiation and matter have found application in aerodynamic problems of engineering interest. This paper discusses three such problems actively being examined at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory (NOL): 1) thermally radiating high-temperature shock layers, 2) electric arc-driven wind tunnels, and 3) gas dynamic lasers. Special emphasis is given to the area of gas dynamic lasers. New research results recently obtained at NOL are presented and discussed. Moreover, in the same context, an overview is made of each subject in order to whet the enthusiasm of the reader to look more thoroughly into these interesting areas, whether he be an aerodynamicist, electrical engineer, plasma physicist, or any physical scientist or engineer interested in radiation and matter.