Achieving High Maneuverability and Precision in Munitions Using Non-Linear Flow Interactions

Abstract

The work presented seeks to achieve high level maneuverability in highspeed weaponry using flow actuators that have very small footprint. The principle of generating such large control forces and moments is by leveraging the non-linear flow interactions that occurs with a distorted boundary layer and the control fin shock. Well-quantified distortions are generated via micro-ramp vortex generators (VG) to embed strong streamwise vortices into the boundary layer. These VGs are 1.0 and 0.6 incoming boundary layer thicknesses tall, and their geometries are configured for maximum distortion strength. The distortion magnitude determined based on the mean difference in the streamwise velocity from the undistorted boundary layer, integrated over boundary layer height, is between 20% - 34% for a M = 2.5 boundary layer. The control forces and moments are determined using the mean surface pressure field for different VGs placed at different azimuthal locations with respect to the fin leading edge. These configurations resulted in up to 15%, 18% and 24% change in the fin-normal force, rolling and pitching moments, respectively, compared to the unperturbed results. The impact on the pitching moments provides compelling evidence that perturbing the boundary layer and exploiting the associated fin-generated shock boundary layer interactions is a viable strategy to enable high maneuverability in munitions. This summary contains 208 words.