On the conceptual design of waverider forebody geometries

Abstract

This paper summarizes the results of investigations into the parametric geometry modeling of waverider forebodies, mostly centered on the osculating cones design method. Initially, three different approaches to controlling the leading edge shape are discussed. The first and most common method is driven by prescribing the upper surface trace on the base plane. The second incorporates a planform definition of the leading edge shape that gives more direct control of the sweep angle of the forebody. The third method directly controls the lower surface’s trace on the base plane. The shockwave profile curve that defines the shape of the shock is defined by its trace on the base plane for all three cases. Each method provides direct control over different aspects of the geometry for which a desired shape would be more complex to obtain indirectly. We then estimate the level of flexibility required by the design-driving curves in the context of a design optimization study, in order to enable a variety of meaningful designs without needlessly complicating the geometry model. Additionally, we show an efficient and robust method to introduce bluntness to the leading edge of waverider forebodies utilizing rational Bézier curves.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Andras Sobester: orcid.org/0000-0002-8997-4375

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