Transonic viscous flow computations about a complete aircraft using the Navier-Stokes equations

A numerical approach for simulating the viscous transonic flow about the complete F-16A fighter aircraft is presented using the Navier-Stokes equations. This finite difference approach utilizes a body conforming zonal grid system to provide appropriate viscous clustering near all body surfaces. A comparison between computational and experimental pressure coefficients is good, and integrated quantities such as lift and drag are within 2.6 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively. The versatility of the method is demonstrated by further modeling the flow inside the inlet up to the compressor face and the exhaust nozzle plume. Results for the F-16A in sideslip are also presented and indicate the proper trends.