Application of waverider-based configurations to hypersonic vehicle designThe hypersonic waverider concept is explored in the context of aircraft design and optimization. Waveriders are vehicles which provide the highest known values of lift-to-drag ratio, suggesting that they are ideal for hypersonic cruise applications. However, these high lift-to-drag ratios are not retained with engine integration. It is shown that waveriders may have applications to the design of accelerating vehicles, even though high L/D is no longer a priority, because they exhibit relatively low drag, and have highly desirable properties for engine/airframe integration. Along these lines, waveriders provide highly uniform flowfields, making them ideal for forebodies on engine-airframe integrated configurations. The inverse design methodology of a waverider lends itself readily to the vehicle design process. Characteristics which govern the performance of a hypersonic vehicle for cruise and accelerating flight are examined, and applied to waverider vehicle design. Finally, it is shown that waveriders, though configured for the specific shock flowfield of a single design point, have acceptable off-design performance characteristics.
Document ID
19920030118
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lewis, Mark J. (Maryland, University College Park, United States)