Numerical Computations of Unsteady Aerodynamics of Projectiles using an Unstructured Technique

Abstract

This paper describes a new multidisciplinary computational study undertaken to compute the flight trajectories and the free flight aerodynamics of projectiles. Actual flight trajectories are computed using an advanced coupled computational fluid dynamics (CFD)/rigid body dynamics (RBD) technique. In addition, our goal is to be able to perform time-accurate multidisciplinary-coupled CFD/RBD computations for complex guided projectiles with control maneuvers using control surfaces such as fins/canards. An advanced time-accurate Navier- Stokes computational technique has been used in CFD to compute the unsteady aerodynamics associated with the free flight of a finned projectile at supersonic speeds. Computed positions and orientations of the projectile have been compared with actual data measured from free flight tests and are found to be generally in good agreement. Unsteady numerical results obtained from the coupled method show the flow field, the aerodynamic forces and moments, and the flight trajectories of the projectile. In addition, computed results have been presented for another complex configuration with control maneuver using an unstructured Chimera method.