Influence of wing geometry on leading-edge vortices and vortex-induced aerodynamics at supersonic speeds

An assessment of the influence of wing geometry on wing leading-edge vortex flows at supersonic speeds is discussed as well as the applicability of various aerodynamic codes for predicting these results. A series of delta-wing wind-tunnel models were tested in the NASA Langley Research Center Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel over a Mach number range from 1.6 to 4.6. The data show that wing airfoil has a significant impact on the localized loading on the wing. The experimental data for the flat wings were compared with results from full-potential, Euler, and Parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) computer codes. The theoretical evaluation showed that the full-potential analysis predicted accurate results for the attached-flow (alpha = 0 deg) conditions and that the Euler and PNS analyses made reasonable predictions for both attached and separated flow conditions.