Star-Body Waveriders with Multiple Design Mach Numbers

Abstract

range and maneuver capability. A baseline Mach 6, conventional star body, an equivalent volume cone, and three multiple-design-Mach-number star bodies are analyzed using three-dimensional, full Navier–Stokes computational fluid dynamics for Mach numbers of 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 and an altitude of 100,000 ft. As expected, the conventional, single-design-Mach-number star body has higher skin-friction drag, lowerwave drag, andlower total drag than the equivalent volumecone. Because the volumes of the multiple-design-Mach-number star bodiesare greaterthan that of the cone, they have higher total drag than the cone, but the wave drag and drag coefficient are lower than the equivalent cone for some of the new configurations at higher Mach numbers. Before performing the analysis, it was assumed that the star body sectors at an on-design flow condition would have the greatest pressure levels. However, the computational fluid dynamics analysis showed that the star-body sectors with the maximum flow deflection (center wedge) angle produced the highest pressures, even at offdesign flow conditions, where three-dimensional effects and pressure loss due to detached shocks and flow spillage are present. The asymmetric, two-, and tripledesign-Mach-number star bodies produced lift that can be used for downrange and cross-range capability.