Low speed longitudinal aerodynamic, static stability and performance analysis of a hypersonic waverider

Abstract

Hypersonic waveriders have the potential to significantly reduce travel times on long haul civilian transport routes. The design of hypersonic aircraft is heavily influenced by the aerodynamic efficiency at the cruise Mach number, resulting in less than ideal geometries for subsonic flight. Waverider aerodynamics and stability in the low speed regime is rarely investigated and not well understood, but is crucial for horizontal take-offs and landings. This paper presents a combination of numerical simulation results and experimental data for the low speed variant of the Mach 8 HEXAFLY-INT waverider. Aerodynamic, control and stability testing was conducted in the University of Sydney 4 foot by 3 foot low speed facility, while propulsion testing of the vehicle-integrated electric ducted fan was completed in the 7 foot by 5 foot tunnel. Motor thrust settings were tested for 8 lithium polymer cells connected serially drawing between 5 and 25 amperes. Computational fluid dynamics simulations are compared with wind tunnel tests for angles of attack between −5 and 25 degrees and elevon deflections between −10 and 10 degrees. Results show the aerodynamics is dominated by leading edge flow separation and vortex lift. At a centre of gravity location of 44.4% of the vehicle length, stability is observed up to 22 degrees angle of attack. Past this point, instability occurs due to vortex breakdown. The centre of gravity aft stability limit was found at 53.1% of the vehicle length. Overall, good agreement is seen between simulation and tunnel data, validating the modelling methods used. The low speed demonstrator can achieve trimmed flight from 12 m/s, but is only speed stable above 19 m/s. A cruise speed of 19 m/s is selected and can be attained with approximately −9.2 degrees of elevon and 7.1 degrees AoA for a centre of gravity location of 44.4%. Shifting the centre of gravity aft can reduce the trim angle of attack to below 6 degrees with −4 degrees elevon deflection. Take-off and landing can be achieved at 15 m/s between 9.8 and 12 degrees angle of attack, depending on centre of gravity configuration. A maximum climb rate of 2.1 m/s is predicted at 16.3 m/s based on the power settings tested. Overall, the results show the aircraft satisfies stability and performance requirements in the longitudinal axis.