Hypersonic drag, stability, and wake data for cones and spheres

Abstract

Tests have been conducted in the Naval Ordnance Laboratory's ballistics ranges to investigate the drag, stability, and wake characteristics of slender cones and spheres at very high speeds. Drag coefficients were found to be linear functions of the mean squared angle of attack. Zero angle of attack drag coefficients were correlated using a mean viscous interaction parameter. Stability derivatives were found to be independent of the mean squared angle of attack. Good agreement was obtained between the experimentally determined drag and stability coefficients and theory. The width of the turbulent viscous core behind both cones and spheres was found to be proportional to the cube root of (xCDA). The constant of proportionality was the same for cones and spheres and varied with flight Mach number. Wake transition Reynolds numbers were found to be independent of the freestream body Reynolds number for a constant Mach number, but strongly dependent on flight Mach number.