Arrays for minimum wave drag of bodies of revolution

The wave drag of two identical Sears-Haack bodies at transonic and supersonic speeds has been determined by using the supersonic area rule. The solution is found for these bodies displaced parallel to each other, both laterally and longitudinally. The results show that the drag of a pair of bodies can be either doubled, or nearly halved, depending upon the lateral and longitudinal spacings of the bodies. The magnitude of this drag is determined by the degree of mutual interference between the bodies. It is shown how reductions in wave drag can be obtained by proper spacing of external bodies. The regions of favorable mutual interference are delineated. It is also shown how to apply the two-body results to many-body arrays. Some remarks are made on applying the results to store-airframe interference and on further aspects of the store-airframe drag problem.